Sandflee question - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

Janette · 02-02-2009, 09:36 PM

Hi guys,
I work part time at Woodcraft and had a gentleman come in today who ordered the Sand Flee (Woodcraft recently started carrying these). He wanted to cancel his order because - as he says - the company is going out of business and/or having troubles. The problem is Woodcraft carries the product itself but none of the parts or accessories and this gentleman didn't want to have to worry about trying to get them in the future. This is the first I'd heard of it so if anyone else has heard or knows anything, I'd appreciate hearing from you.

KtownScroller · 02-02-2009, 10:00 PM

Hi Janette - Check out this URL: RJR Studios...SAND-FLEE® Portable Drum Sander

This site should answer all your questions. There is a nice video included on the home page.

unixpro · 02-03-2009, 12:23 AM

I did a quick search and didn't see anything indicating that RJR Studios was either in financial trouble or had filed for bankruptcy. Of course, with the current "economic situation," just about every company is in some sort of trouble.

Janette · 02-03-2009, 12:38 AM

RJR is the main distributor and the customer had no luck making contact with them. They talked to Woodcraft corporate and have asked them to get in touch with them and let them know what's going on. I'll keep you posted when I talk to my boss next week if I hear any more.

Mike Crosa · 02-03-2009, 01:37 AM

Yes RJR is still around. I have tried to get in contact with them to no avail and I own a SAND FLEE. It is a shame really as they probably lose a lot of business because they never answer their phone or return a message left with them.

Rolf · 02-03-2009, 01:48 PM

I have had my sand flee for several years (I bought it at the Fox Chapel open house)
RJR has always been hard to get a hold of. I know he is on the road alot doing different shows but in this age of Blackberries lap tops, etc. there is no excuse for not responding to customers e-mails.

There aren't many accesories that you would need beyond the basic machine and I would get the chuck that goes on the end of the shaft. (also available elswhere)
The Sand flee is built using off the shelf parts so even if they went out of business it wouldn't be a big deal. The motor is Baldor the box and top of the machine are not going to break or wear out, the bearings are sealed. I really think this thing is quite bullet proof. The velcro on the drum and the sandpaper you can get from Klingspore.

Do you have a demo model in the store? I would suggest the customer tries one Before buing one. Not everyone likes them or they expect it to do something it isn't designed to do.

honeycow · 02-03-2009, 03:48 PM

I have one of these on my 'wish list'. Rolf, do you like yours? What have you heard from people who were disapointed? Connie

Janette · 02-03-2009, 04:37 PM

One pet peeve we, at the store have with Woodcraft "corporate" is that they decide to carry things like this - but don't carry the accessories or replacement parts. It's annoying to us as employees and the customers who come in needing someing to replace and we can't get it.

Rolf · 02-03-2009, 05:40 PM

Janette,

That seems to be typical for many distributors. I have had situations where the distributer didn't have the part and the company wouldn't deal with the public.

Connie,
The sand Flee has to be set up properly so that the sandpaper just touches the wood when it is spinning.
I use mine all the time. I have 2 grits on the drum half 120 and half 240.
I use it to pre-sand all of my wood when cutting my ornaments. I also use it to sand them after they are cut, even the delicate fretwork ones. I have a 240 grit sanding mop chucked on the output shaft that I use to soften the edges of all my work. So as you see my Sand flee gets a real workout.
Complaints from others: I think there is a long thread on here concerning the sand flee. My impressions are that some people expect the machine to do things it wasn't ment to do like preping rough sawn lumber. It is like any tool you need to develop a feel for how to use it.
My only beef is that you can't seem to get a hold of anyone at the company.
I feel customer support is the most important thing for a companies survival.

Sandflee
This link covers the subject nicely.

02-02-2009, 09:36 PM	#1
Janette Intarsia Moderator Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 2,110 Blog Entries: 4	Sandflee question Hi guys, I work part time at Woodcraft and had a gentleman come in today who ordered the Sand Flee (Woodcraft recently started carrying these). He wanted to cancel his order because - as he says - the company is going out of business and/or having troubles. The problem is Woodcraft carries the product itself but none of the parts or accessories and this gentleman didn't want to have to worry about trying to get them in the future. This is the first I'd heard of it so if anyone else has heard or knows anything, I'd appreciate hearing from you. __________________ Janette www.square-designs.com

02-02-2009, 10:00 PM	#2
KtownScroller So much better :) Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: PA Posts: 2,665	Hi Janette - Check out this URL: RJR Studios...SAND-FLEE® Portable Drum Sander This site should answer all your questions. There is a nice video included on the home page. __________________ - Rick Last edited by KtownScroller; 02-02-2009 at 10:19 PM.

02-03-2009, 12:38 AM	#4
Janette Intarsia Moderator Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 2,110 Blog Entries: 4	RJR is the main distributor and the customer had no luck making contact with them. They talked to Woodcraft corporate and have asked them to get in touch with them and let them know what's going on. I'll keep you posted when I talk to my boss next week if I hear any more. __________________ Janette www.square-designs.com

02-03-2009, 01:37 AM	#5
Mike Crosa Land Locked Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 1,695	Yes RJR is still around. I have tried to get in contact with them to no avail and I own a SAND FLEE. It is a shame really as they probably lose a lot of business because they never answer their phone or return a message left with them. __________________ Mike C. Hawk G4

02-03-2009, 01:48 PM	#6
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 2,808	I have had my sand flee for several years (I bought it at the Fox Chapel open house) RJR has always been hard to get a hold of. I know he is on the road alot doing different shows but in this age of Blackberries lap tops, etc. there is no excuse for not responding to customers e-mails. There aren't many accesories that you would need beyond the basic machine and I would get the chuck that goes on the end of the shaft. (also available elswhere) The Sand flee is built using off the shelf parts so even if they went out of business it wouldn't be a big deal. The motor is Baldor the box and top of the machine are not going to break or wear out, the bearings are sealed. I really think this thing is quite bullet proof. The velcro on the drum and the sandpaper you can get from Klingspore. Do you have a demo model in the store? I would suggest the customer tries one Before buing one. Not everyone likes them or they expect it to do something it isn't designed to do. __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can"

02-03-2009, 12:23 AM	#3
unixpro I need more weekend Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Greater Seattle Area Posts: 615	I did a quick search and didn't see anything indicating that RJR Studios was either in financial trouble or had filed for bankruptcy. Of course, with the current "economic situation," just about every company is in some sort of trouble.

02-03-2009, 03:48 PM	#7
honeycow Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: new york state Posts: 112	I have one of these on my 'wish list'. Rolf, do you like yours? What have you heard from people who were disapointed? Connie

02-03-2009, 04:37 PM	#8
Janette Intarsia Moderator Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 2,110 Blog Entries: 4	One pet peeve we, at the store have with Woodcraft "corporate" is that they decide to carry things like this - but don't carry the accessories or replacement parts. It's annoying to us as employees and the customers who come in needing someing to replace and we can't get it. __________________ Janette www.square-designs.com

02-03-2009, 05:40 PM	#9
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 2,808	Janette, That seems to be typical for many distributors. I have had situations where the distributer didn't have the part and the company wouldn't deal with the public. Connie, The sand Flee has to be set up properly so that the sandpaper just touches the wood when it is spinning. I use mine all the time. I have 2 grits on the drum half 120 and half 240. I use it to pre-sand all of my wood when cutting my ornaments. I also use it to sand them after they are cut, even the delicate fretwork ones. I have a 240 grit sanding mop chucked on the output shaft that I use to soften the edges of all my work. So as you see my Sand flee gets a real workout. Complaints from others: I think there is a long thread on here concerning the sand flee. My impressions are that some people expect the machine to do things it wasn't ment to do like preping rough sawn lumber. It is like any tool you need to develop a feel for how to use it. My only beef is that you can't seem to get a hold of anyone at the company. I feel customer support is the most important thing for a companies survival. Sandflee This link covers the subject nicely. __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can" Last edited by Rolf; 02-03-2009 at 05:45 PM.

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