I did a lot of research before I bought my HS950.? The Grizzly sanders are an inexpensive option at all levels.? They have copies of different machines such as the Jet basic edge sander and even the giant Powermatic sander.? However, the problem with Grizzly edge sanders is that the platen is basically made from sheet metal.? There have been several unhappy customers that received Grizzly edge sanders where the platen is bent out of shape and alignment.? The solution to fix this is to start yanking on the sheet metal to bend it back into alignment.? It's really not an accurate machine.
The next best edge sander on the market compared to HS950 is the Baileigh ES-6100:
The Baileigh ES-6100 is definitely a copy of the Hammer HS-950. It even oscillates the belt using the same mechanism.? On both the HS950 and the Baleigh, the platen is made from a 1/2" thick piece of steel? (NOT sheet metal, lol).? I have found my HS950 to be super accurate for edge sanding as well as sanding 45 degree miter corners with the Felder miter gauge.
The Baleigh is not a 100% copy, though. There are several items where the Hammer HS-950 is better.
- Better table height adjustment - only one clamp to loosen and table remains perfectly level as you adjust up and down (this is important when the platen is adjusted down at an angle). Baileigh requires two clamp knobs and you need to make sure to keep the table perfectly level when adjusting up and down.
- Better dust collection. Hammer essentially has a 5" dust port (120mm). Baileigh has 4" dust port.
- Better motor. Hammer has a 3HP 2.2kw 12.4A (based on motor plate). Beileigh specifications say 2HP 1.5kw 9.5A.
- More stable stand? Hammer base/stand extends to the full width/length of the machine. Baileigh stand is smaller.
- Better miter gauge (although you have to buy this extra, the miter gauge is much better than what comes with the Baileigh).
There may be several other things on the Hammer that just "feel" better, but I haven't used the Baileigh so I can't comment. So, Hammer is a better machine, but you are going to spend about a $1,000 more (especially when you add in the accessory miter gauge).
That being said, a couple of points for the Baileigh:
- Has an edge support shoe that can be mounted to the table for edge support when using the sander fully 0 degrees flat
- Has a bit of storage available in the base (although you could build your own storage base on the Hammer.
One of the big advantages of the HS950 / Baleigh is the angle adjustment.? Most edge sanders will allow you to adjust the angle of the table down to a max of 45 degrees.? On the HS950/Baleigh machines, the platen is adjusted down instead.? This allows you to sand an angle that is more extreme than 45 degrees.? The platen on these machines will actually lay down flat to where it is parallel with the cast iron table.
