What to look for in a belt sander? - Woodworking Talk

dbhost · 10-23-2008, 09:55 AM

So I know I need a belt sander for some upcoming projects. I was wondering though, what should I look for in a belt sander, and what the best belt sanders for the $$ are out there?

GeorgeC · 10-23-2008, 10:15 AM

I cannot think of much in a belt sander that would be different one from another, with the possible exception of weight. I like my old metal Craftsman sander because it is heavier than the new plastic models. I do not have to push down on it to get a good cut. All I have to do is guide it.

As long as it has a tension adjustment (and I think all do) so that you can adjust belt track there is not much more.

G

steve mackay · 10-23-2008, 10:19 AM

The Griz 6" / 9" combo for $400.00. Don't bother with a 4" belt of any flavor. You'll wish you'd gone 6" ! ALL metal construction ! Good price, great value ! It IS a beast for the money. Only two complaints . . . There IS one plastic part . . . the dust chute adapter on the disk shroud is heavy duty plastic (but if you'r not moving it around I'll live with it) and the stand is WAY to short (about knee level on me and is currently a work stand). It also creates a "vortex" of sorts under the belt table. A small sheet of plexi mounted under the operator side blocks it for close work.

pianoman · 10-23-2008, 10:30 AM

Steve, I`ve never seen one of those...for $400.00...it ought to sand for you! Just kidding...I like my Bosch 4x24". Rick

cabinetman · 10-23-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbhost

So I know I need a belt sander for some upcoming projects. I was wondering though, what should I look for in a belt sander, and what the best belt sanders for the $$ are out there?

Maybe you could clear up what you are referring to. Do you mean a hand held belt sander, or a bench/stationary type belt sander?

GeorgeC · 10-23-2008, 11:00 AM

I was assuming that he was talking about a 3" hand belt sander.

I use my table top model belt sander so little that I usually even forget I have it.

G

BHOFM · 10-23-2008, 12:21 PM

First thing when you get it home, check how the
paper tracks, check it with a couple of different
belts. If it doesn't track right, it will drive you
nuts in a hurry.

They need a bit of weight to them. Dust collecting
is ???. Mine doesn't have it, they throw dust pretty
good.

Parts? I have an old Craftsman and use it on epoxy,
I have replace the drive drum a couple of times, it
is rubber centered. This is not a fault of the sander
in my opinion, just very heavy use over a long time.

If you plan on using it a lot, get a good one.

Big Dave · 10-23-2008, 01:40 PM

I have always favored Porter Cable for their routers and sanders. I have a 4x24 and have had it for 16 years without a problem.

dbhost · 10-23-2008, 01:54 PM

I am talking about a hand held job. Which is why I was kind of stunned to see a reccomended 9" model. HOLY SMOKES BATMAN!

I should mention, if it is at all possible, If there are no real major problems with the 4x24 belt size on a handheld, I want a model that uses that belt so that my Ridgid EB4424 and whatever handheld I pick up share the same belt. And I am happy with the 4" belt on the EB4424. I haven't tried to do anything with it that the 4" can't handle...

I am a weekend warrior hobbyist woodworker, so I don't need the biggest, baddest sander out there, but I want a good one.

The models I have found so far that fit the bill more or less cover a pretty broad price range.

Sorted in ascending order of cost... (Most of these I found on Amazon, hence the star ratings...)

Chicago Electric model #97593 $79.99 (no rating)
Porter Cable 352VS $165.00 4.5 stars
Makita H2154 $199.95 (no rating)
Makita 9403 $214.38 5 stars
Bosch 1276DVS $225.00 4 stars
Makita 9404 $251.25 4.5 stars
Porter Cable 363 $254.40 (no rating)
Porter Cable 342V $264.58 (no rating)
Bosch 1275D $274.76 (no rating)

Other than brand bias, what are the advantages of one sander over another?

FWIW, with my experiences with the various brands, I would MUCH rather have the Chicago Electric sander than the Makita... I have had over the years 3 Makita Power tools, and they have all been junk. A sander, a drill, and a miter saw... ALL have left a lot to be desired... And yeah, I know they are supposed to be good stuff. I guess I just have bad luck with them...

user4178 · 10-23-2008, 02:22 PM

I have a Makita belt sander that I bought new many years ago, although I don't use it alot, it has seen quite a bit of use over the years and has been a good sander.

BHOFM · 10-23-2008, 02:22 PM

Have you looked at the Craftsman?

I would steer clear of the Chicago Electric sold
by Harbor freight, I don't care for their stuff with
motors.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10...nders&sLevel=0

GeorgeC · 10-23-2008, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BHOFM

Have you looked at the Craftsman?

I would steer clear of the Chicago Electric sold
by Harbor freight, I don't care for their stuff with
motors.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10...nders&sLevel=0

I would certainly agree with the Craftsman. I have had very good results over the years with their power tools.. Good quality and moderately priced.

G

dbhost · 10-23-2008, 03:10 PM

So far the HF stuff with motors I have owned or used has actually worked well. The 32208 band saw, and I don't recall the model #, but a friend of mine has a 12" SCMS from HF that has been taking a beating in a professional setting for at least 2 years being tossed into and out of a trailer all the time... Still accurate. But yeah, I understand the issues folks have with HF. It seems like a crap shoot. You either get a good one, or end up with a couple of duds before you get a good one... Oh yeah, and be prepared for VERY basic features. I just drool over some of the Powermatic stuff with all the rack and pinion handwheels for adjusting tension, the table etc... major drool factor, but I can live without it...

I didn't know C-man had a 4x24. Didn't see one when I looked...Will check again.

BHOFM · 10-23-2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

crap shoot

In their defense, they have always done the right
thing with me. It is a 30 mile drive though.

I have bought a lot there, router bits, great, table
vice, great, clamps, great, even my boat trailer.
They have a real nice magnet base work lite too.
And my latest, sanding drums that I am real
happy with. I can use the old 3" sanding belts on
them.

dbhost · 10-23-2008, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BHOFM

In their defense, they have always done the right
thing with me. It is a 30 mile drive though.

I have bought a lot there, router bits, great, table
vice, great, clamps, great, even my boat trailer.
They have a real nice magnet base work lite too.
And my latest, sanding drums that I am real
happy with. I can use the old 3" sanding belts on
them.

Never even thought of router bits from them, the overwhelming majority of my clamps. Out of nearly 50 clamps, had one that wasn't a champ out of the box, and they swapped it no questions asked. Better service than Sears!
Band saw has been a great cutting machine. Never bogs down, cuts very well, even with the P.O.S. OEM blade.
The basic 9 piece hole saw set I got from them makes round holes in the sizes claimed. No wobble like some folks claim to.
The guy across the street actually has a Central Machinery bench top table saw he used to cut up Hardi Plank. While I don't think it was the best tool, it certainly takes a LOT of abuse and keeps going...
My BIL has a few of their impact wrenches, spray guns, hose reels etc.. in his auto shop.
So no, I don't fear HF, and I know some GREAT deals can be had from there, but some real junk can be had too. (RO sanders are reportedly junk, and the steel rail lathe isn't heavy enough to handle the size wood you can fit on it... I'm not saying HF offers the best quality fancy tools, but bang for the buck wise, a fellow on a budget can do far worse for sure...

BHOFM · 10-23-2008, 04:04 PM

Check out the bits next time, I have been using
mine for several years and no problems at all.
The 3/4 straight cut has a million miles on it.

I have the 12 piece and the four piece round over
set. At Lowes, one bit cost more that these sets.

dbhost · 10-23-2008, 04:22 PM

Have you tried the MLCS bits? Depending on the bit, they are not a whole lot higher than the Lifetime bits from HF...

I have MLCS, Skil, Craftsman, Freud, and a couple I found at yard sales from unknown MFGs, I think they are Craftsman but with a 1/2" shank, all their new stuff I have seen is 1/4"...

Back to the belt sander. I am honestly having trouble trying to figure out one from another. I know I like the Porter Cable sanders, but what is the difference between the models?

mike65072 · 10-23-2008, 04:26 PM

A belt sander is one of many non-precision type power tools that, unless you will be using it a lot, I can't see spending a lot of money for. I've had a HF 3X21" belt sanders for a number of years and have had very good luck with it. I have several other types of sanders I use more often, but when I need to remove material quickly the HF sander does a fine job.

sweensdv · 10-23-2008, 05:06 PM

I'm curious as to what you intend to use this sander for. I can't remember the last time I used my hand held belt sander for anything other than carpentry type work. Because I have both a planer and a jointer I just don't seem to have much of a need for a hand held belt sander.

dbhost · 10-23-2008, 05:41 PM

Give you one example, sanding / stripping finish and bleached wood surface from a deck...

Rustic furniture. For example cutting a less than perfect chamfer into edge banding for the display top on a Mexican Rustic buffet / hutch.

Stuff like that. Not for fine detail work, but for areas brute force, and less than finesse are appropriate.

It really won't get a ton of use. The Chicago Electric one from Habor Freight will probably last me 20 years as much as I'd use it...

LOML and I really like the Southwestern theme...