Rikon Spindle Sander – Adjusting the Table Angle

This sander is well made, with durable steel gearing for smooth operation and a powerful motor that provides ample torque when needed for heavy stock removal.

After you’ve unpacked your new sander, the first thing to do is install a spindle and check the table for square.

Install a Sanding Drum

1) Angle the table to allow full access for the wrenches (Photo 1).

Photo 1 – Tilt the table for access to the spindle and drum locking bolt.

2) Install the new drum into the motor drive spindle by turning it counterclockwise into the open end of the motor drive spindle and tighten it with the wrenches (Photos 2 and 3).

Photo 2 – Install the sanding drum by turning it counterclockwise.

Photo 3 – Hold the motor drive spindle with one wrench, and loosen the sanding spindle with the other wrench.

To change a sanding spindle, reverse this procedure:

1) Turn on the machine and turn it off when the spindle stops at the most upward, highest setting.

2) Loosen the spindle using the two supplied wrenches. Begin with the two wrenches far enough apart that there isn’t a risk if pinching your hand as you bring them together.

3) Remove the drum by turning it clockwise.

Set-Up – Checking the Table for Square

After assembly, the first thing to check is whether the table is square to the spindle.

1) Loosen the table locking handle on the angle scale, and use the geared/rotation handle to set the table to the 90° position (Photo 4).

Photo 4 – To check for square, set the table to 90°.

2) Place a square on the table against the spindle (Photo 5).

Photo 5 – Sight against the gap between the square and the spindle for any light.

3) Once the table is square, there is an eccentric positive stop on either side that can be adjusted so the table always returns to this setting (Photo 6). If necessary, adjust the cursor on the angle scale so it’s set to zero.

Photo 6 – Locking the table stop in position.

In the next section, we’ll give some pointers for using the sander safely and effectively, and show how to change the table angle.