Tell me about the ROSS

[milocj]

I've seen that a lot of the members here really like them, and I've been considering buying one since I no longer even have a belt sander and don't really know how well the spindles that fit in a drill press work.

Can you use one to get to the point of 150-220 grit finish sanding on a semi-rough, but shaped and sanded body? Will they eat into the curves around the horns too quickly with finer grit drums?

I'm going to look at a used one for $135 tonight. It's four years old and is supposed to be in really good shape...was used fairly often for the first several months and then not much at all. Is there anything that wears out on them or that I should look for that may make it better to grab a new one? I doubt that I'll use it extensively, but I do have an occassional use for it on other small projects where I would have to borrow a belt sander or do things by hand.

Thanks.

[Guitarnut]

The ROSS is a great tool. What level of performance you get out of it is going to be up to you as the user. I can say it's not a finish sander. There is likely a break point between the speed of the machine, the grit of the paper and how close to finish sanding you can get. I've never used mine beyond 120 grit.

As far as what to look for, it should oscillate smoothly and not make any thumps or grinding. Some folks have had issue with the spindle nut bearing down during operation. They have to use pliers to loosen it. Check this...it should spin off with your hand. It's reverse thread so righty-loosey, lefty-tighty.

Also, check the adjuster on the belt sander, check the table lock...make sure it's not stripped and that the table stays in place. Look for the accessories..sanding drums, washers, orange plastic table insert for when the spindles are used. There should also be a safety key in the power switch.

Good luck. It's a great tool for guitar building...but you already knew that.

[Jack Wells]

What not to do with your ROSS.

Do not lay it on its back, remove the bottom cover and turn it on to see what makes it oscillate up and down.

[Greg M]

It does many jobs well and is relatively inexpensive. I use mine all the time. But the table isn't all that stable--you should check it for square before you use it each time. It's well worth the money imo.

[Vizcaster]

It's a good machine for shaping; I don't think of it as something for finish sanding. you get lots of control on pieces that have been cut on a bandsaw; bring it to the ROSS and get the waste down to the line. particularly useful for patterns

[jpbturbo]

Originally Posted by Jack Wells

What not to do with your ROSS.

Do not lay it on its back, remove the bottom cover and turn it on to see what makes it oscillate up and down.

What in the world happens?

[Jack Wells]

Mine was working perfectly........but I was curious. When I did what I described above, the motor started smoking. I disassembled and reassembled the motor and oscillating unit more than once, but can't find the problem. I now know how it oscillates, but it looks like that knowledge is going to cost me $200.

[junk mutt]

Sorry, could'nt help laughing Jack. It reminds me of what my late Dad used to say. " If it aint broke, take it apart and find out why !" Good old Dad.

[milocj]

Thanks for the info. The pictures he sent sure didn't look like it was four years old even if he had only used it somewhat regularly for several months. He seems to have only used one grade of paper and one size drum and has bought extras of those and everything else that came with the machine is unused so I'm going to snag it. Even with a discount for opening a HD charge card this would be about $60 less than getting a new one after sales tax.

I'm assuming that if it was laid on it's side while moving it or cleaning it, but wasn't turned on in that position there would be no problems?

[ratter]

All I find myself using it for these days is rough sanding the interior curves on a body. But you still have to go back and finish sand by hand. So while I like it, it is definitely not what I'd call indispensable.

[CapnCrunch]

My experience with ROSS is that it is fine for occasional "weekend warrior" use. It is definitely not built for daily continuous duty. My first one had a bad bearing out of the box. I took it back. The table is not perpendicular to the spindle on my second one, but I did not catch that until it was too late to return. I have to check with a square every time I use it and even then only part of the table will be perpendicular. Turns out the table is twisted

It does what a spindle sander does, and it is nice to have the oscillating belt. Overall, it's a pretty cheaply made tool which is relflected in the $199 price tag. If you are going to make a hand full of guitars, it will be up to the task. Otherwise, look for a commercial machine. They can be had surprisingly cheap used on Craigslist from time to time. I wish I would have gone that route honestly.

[quaterstaff]

Originally Posted by Jack Wells

Mine was working perfectly........but I was curious. When I did what I described above, the motor started smoking. I disassembled and reassembled the motor and oscillating unit more than once, but can't find the problem. I now know how it oscillates, but it looks like that knowledge is going to cost me $200.

I've learned alot less for more than that.

[Chewie219]

Would there be any difference in using a bench belt sander as opposed to ROSS? Like the belt sanders with the disc sander on the side.

[michael0703]

buy it.....you'll be glad you did

[Barncaster]

Originally Posted by Jack Wells

Mine was working perfectly........but I was curious. When I did what I described above, the motor started smoking. I disassembled and reassembled the motor and oscillating unit more than once, but can't find the problem. I now know how it oscillates, but it looks like that knowledge is going to cost me $200.

Oh Jack,

Sounds like you opened Pandora's Ross.......

Rob

['59_Standard]

Originally Posted by milocj

I'm going to look at a used one for $135 tonight. It's four years old and is supposed to be in really good shape...was used fairly often for the first several months and then not much at all.

NB: Its 4 years old and was used fairly often.


I'd offer $100 and no-more than $105. I'd rather buy new with a warranty in my name and thats what, $180 new --- with that coupon someone keeps mentioning is available at the posts office?

Here you go. Jack mentions it here

[volowv]

Originally Posted by Chewie219

Would there be any difference in using a bench belt sander as opposed to ROSS? Like the belt sanders with the disc sander on the side.

the combination belt/round sanders don't oscillate. the oscillation of the belt keeps the wood from burning. the other major difference is that with the ROSS you have a work table to put the body or neck on.

i use mine every day. i'm surprise at some of the comments here... i guess it depends on how you build and what you are building.

[axedaddy]

Buy it, use it. New or used you won't be sorry. Although for used ones I have seen them go on CL for less than 100 and as low as 60 all the time. For me it just made sense to go new.

[Colt W. Knight]

I own two ROSSes. Use them constantly, and I have never had any trouble from either one.

[Vizcaster]

Originally Posted by junk mutt

" If it aint broke, take it apart and find out why !" Good old Dad.

"Aren't you going to put that pile of (toy, scooter, radio, car...) parts back together, Bobby?"

"Why would I do that? I already know how it works."