FishingMan
Well-known member
Im refinishing a butcher block work table and need a belt sander . Which one is a good one? Recomendations?
Need a hand held belt sander which one?
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WWheeler
Well-known member
For a single project any brand will do, even Horror Fright. If you want one that will last a while for occasional use any major brand (Ryobi, Ridgid, Porter Cable, Hitachi, etc) will do just fine. If you want one that's going to last for years with lots of use then the only two that I'm familiar with that have held up for decades and have worn out hundreds and hundreds of belts are Makita and Dewalt.
Edit: Just took a look around and seems Dewalt doesn't even have a belt sander anymore. Can't hardly believe it. I have a DW430 that's been used and abused for almost 30 years now. It's the same one I used to race over and over against coworker's sanders across the cabinet shop floor in the mid 90s, sometimes for ownership. I took a many a sander away and never had to give mine up (trick was it wasn't always whose was faster but rather whose tracked straight until the end of the extension cord). For many years I used it daily / professionally and have used it a whole lot more than most any harry homeowner ever would ever since. Never has given me a prob. It's been through several sets of brushes over the years and I don't know if I can even find new ones for it anymore.
From what I'm reading Dewalt's last model was the DW433 and seems it was a dud. I see some were happy with it but most weren't. Wouldn't have figured.
Sooo, I need to edit this comment to say the only brand I've personally used that's held up to the test of time through thousands and thousands of bd ft that's still in the game is Makita.
Edit: Just took a look around and seems Dewalt doesn't even have a belt sander anymore. Can't hardly believe it. I have a DW430 that's been used and abused for almost 30 years now. It's the same one I used to race over and over against coworker's sanders across the cabinet shop floor in the mid 90s, sometimes for ownership. I took a many a sander away and never had to give mine up (trick was it wasn't always whose was faster but rather whose tracked straight until the end of the extension cord). For many years I used it daily / professionally and have used it a whole lot more than most any harry homeowner ever would ever since. Never has given me a prob. It's been through several sets of brushes over the years and I don't know if I can even find new ones for it anymore.
From what I'm reading Dewalt's last model was the DW433 and seems it was a dud. I see some were happy with it but most weren't. Wouldn't have figured.
Sooo, I need to edit this comment to say the only brand I've personally used that's held up to the test of time through thousands and thousands of bd ft that's still in the game is Makita.
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MANelson85
Active member
Porter cable 352vs
Kaizen
Well-known member
Get ear protection. They all wake the dead
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I have a 3x21 MAkita that I bought in the mid 80's. all kinds of work & abuse still keeps plugging along.
OP
FishingMan
Well-known member
The Makita 9404 gets real good reviews. Anyone got one?
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Sawsalls it's Milwaukee. Worm drive carpenter's saw it's a SKIL 77 for belt sanders it's Porter-Cable. It's just the natural order of things.
It's probably the same old model I have, and it is indeed an awesome machine!
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downsizingnow48
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I have a Bosch 4x24 and Makita 3x21. For years. Cannot be beat.
Depends. I have a Craftsman 3" I bought at least 30 years ago that just seems to be a beast. Several years ago, I bought this Porter Cable 2-1/2" and I don't think I've touched the Craftsman sander since then.
Porter-Cable Compact Belt Sander Kit - 371K
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HX2TEU/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Porter-Cable Compact Belt Sander Kit - 371K
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HX2TEU/?tag=atomicindus08-20
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Don't really see too many belt sanders anymore. I have a Bosch 3x21, but I hardly ever use it at this point.
What I do use instead, is my 6" Bosch ROS. If you think about it, my Bosch Belt sander had a sanding area of about 3" x 6" which totals 18 square inches. A 6" circle is also 18" square inches! And the Bosch ROS has two modes - one really aggressive and one not so. It really does the job
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001408SO/?tag=atomicindus08-20
What I do use instead, is my 6" Bosch ROS. If you think about it, my Bosch Belt sander had a sanding area of about 3" x 6" which totals 18 square inches. A 6" circle is also 18" square inches! And the Bosch ROS has two modes - one really aggressive and one not so. It really does the job
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001408SO/?tag=atomicindus08-20
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kctyphoon
Banned
Porter cable.. hands down.. if they still make that iconic model I have..
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Ole Slewfoot
Well-known member
I like the Bosch like this, they work flipped better thanmost.
seber
Well-known member
Ten years ago I picked up a Porter Cable to do some floor sanding. It tended to roll to one side and had to be countered with muscle. Wore me out in short order. I took it back after I realized I would have a lot of gouges in the floor before I ever finished.
Don't really see too many belt sanders anymore. I have a Bosch 3x21, but I hardly ever use it at this point.
What I do use instead, is my 6" Bosch ROS. If you think about it, my Bosch Belt sander had a sanding area of about 3" x 6" which totals 18 square inches. A 6" circle is also 18" square inches! And the Bosch ROS has two modes - one really aggressive and one not so. It really does the job
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001408SO/?tag=atomicindus08-20
This is excellent advice, I have both the Bosch 4x24, and the Bosch 1250DEVS.
The 6" RO is hands down a much more versatile and super nice machine to use. With two different modes, one that removes TONS of material, an the other that will give glossy clear coat finishes, variable speed, comfort, and VERY GOOD dust collection, it is a actual treat to use.
If I had to only have one, it would easily be the RO 6" Bosch...
I'm going to vote for the Harbor Freight 4x24.
I "needed" one for some flooring I was doing and figured, at 20% off $70, it was worth it if it lasted a week. Four years later, I still have it.
For occasional use it is fine.
I "needed" one for some flooring I was doing and figured, at 20% off $70, it was worth it if it lasted a week. Four years later, I still have it.
For occasional use it is fine.
Parrothead
Well-known member
I’ve got an old Mikita I bought from a pawn shop years ago, used in both a professional and home environment. Works great! Well worth $30
bob15
Well-known member
Porter Cable....
Even a good used one is the right choice.
I'm also amazed, Mr Milwaukee owns a PC tool
Even a good used one is the right choice.
I'm also amazed, Mr Milwaukee owns a PC tool
Everybody recommending the PC realizes they stopped building them in USA and are now built in Mexico.
PC routers which were also the "standard" are also made overseas and are not the end-all-be-all once touted.
Anybody with a newer PC belt sander willing to chime in, preferably with semi to constant use? Seems HF can kick one out for $30-50 that last, PC is charging $150+.
PC routers which were also the "standard" are also made overseas and are not the end-all-be-all once touted.
Anybody with a newer PC belt sander willing to chime in, preferably with semi to constant use? Seems HF can kick one out for $30-50 that last, PC is charging $150+.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Agree. I've used mine for over 30 years, it's gone though hundreds of belts, generated bushels of sawdust, and just keeps on going. The platen is getting pretty thin, though...might have to invest a few bucks if it's going to last another 30 years...
Your right on the area of a 6" circle. It is actually 28" versus the 18" of my 3x21 belt sander - quite an improvement
Regarding the dust, the Bosch actually has pretty decent dust control. It has a port to connect to your vacuum and uses a slotted base to **** up the dust as it comes off the wood. Another thing about the belt sander is the heat buildup. You ever have a belt come apart because it got too hot?
Just last week I sanded a couple of 5' x 5' panels and never even thought about using my belt sander. The Bosch 6" ROS gets it done
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ScottsGT
Well-known member
I'm gonna be different here and say Triton. I went with it because it comes with hardware where you can attach it upside down on a bench or on a self made 90 degree fixture for a stationary belt sander. Mine has been great.
Oh well, my link didn't work to Rockler. But Google is your friend here.
I'll try Home Depots link.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Triton-110-Volt-3-in-Corded-Belt-Sander-TA1200BS/205954745?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cTHD%7cG%7c0%7cG-BASE-PLA-AllProducts%7c&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0PTXBRCGARIsAKNYfG2UXG-IUrP8argggKqnv0Ov_MIqxSIrc5fJGL6gsCsHA7ObHcD7HzoaAg_0EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CJPFourVjNsCFVYHgQodqgEPzA
Oh well, my link didn't work to Rockler. But Google is your friend here.
I'll try Home Depots link.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Triton-110-Volt-3-in-Corded-Belt-Sander-TA1200BS/205954745?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cTHD%7cG%7c0%7cG-BASE-PLA-AllProducts%7c&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0PTXBRCGARIsAKNYfG2UXG-IUrP8argggKqnv0Ov_MIqxSIrc5fJGL6gsCsHA7ObHcD7HzoaAg_0EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CJPFourVjNsCFVYHgQodqgEPzA
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Wamsutta
Well-known member
Yes but the main thing to look for is if they're the original design before Stanley/Black&Decker took over. The original designs are easy to spot because they're plain grey or black; no goofy colors added like the new models that Stanley/B&D brought in. An example of an original design is the Porter-Cable 330 finish sander. I have one and it's awesome.
My old Bosch 4x24 has a large footprint and with 36 grit it will flatten boards very quickly. Fresh belts cut clean with little heating, but as they wear they generate more heat and will fail the glue joint. With higher grits the finish improves greatly, but admittedly you need to watch for crossing the grain. I still have my old P-C ROS and rolls of the psa discs for it, but it is slow compared to my belt sanders and the dust pickup is poor as well. But it excels at finishing.
I looked up your ROS and it does look very interesting to me. If the sanding discs are not too expensive I might pick one up---Father's Day is coming next month, and I have a coupon for Acme Tools. What is the Country of Origin for the Bosch?
My Bosch is made in Germany, bought it online last year.
If you are serious about getting one, do yourself a favor and buy Mirka Abranet disc. Its a mesh, opposed to a paper, sands as good or better, easy to remove large buildup, and has excellent dust collection. They average about 50 cents each, but easily last 2-3x longer then the best paper backed disc.
I don't know - I assume Germany, but I couldn't find it specified anywhere.
I even went to the Bosch website. I had to laugh, look at the very first review
https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boschtools-ocs/random-orbit-sanders-1250devs-27677-p/
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The old Porter Cable 304, 305 "locomotives" were commercial work horses. Today, under SB&D, Porter Cable is the poor cousin of DeWalt sold at Lowes. I would hesitate to buy anything today, from that once quality brand. A few on those all metal sanders are still found used, sometimes
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Porter Cable....
Even a good used one is the right choice.
I'm also amazed, Mr Milwaukee owns a PC tool
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I don't know - I assume Germany, but I couldn't find it specified anywhere.
I even went to the Bosch website. I had to laugh, look at the very first review
https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boschtools-ocs/random-orbit-sanders-1250devs-27677-p/
Lol, maybe the belt sander is officially obsolete. I build alot of speakers with mdf and the belt sander can keep a fairly square corner on the cabinet edges due to its hard platen so I will need to keep one on hand. But maybe I'll pitch the smaller P-C 3x21 belt and my ancient P-C 5-inch ros and upgrade to a modern 6-inch Bosch ros...
OP
FishingMan
Well-known member
I found a Bosch on craigslist. It seems well made. Thanks for the replys guys.
I don't feel a ros is a substitute for a belt sander. A belt sander is far more aggressive. I have DeWalt ros and an old Craftsman 3×21.
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You are missing the multiple people who have confirmed from using this exact Bosch sander that it hogs nearly as much if not more then a traditional 3x21.
I will say it again, it can toggle from random orbital to purely rotational, like a stationary sanding disc.
Dump your crappy Dewalt and try out this sander, its in a whole different league. They dont charge $250 for a sander that doesnt work (and it works just as good as the $600 Festool version
)
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Musicinabottle
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That's a fact.
WWheeler
Well-known member
^ This
No orbital is going to compete with a belt sander. I'll use the belt to take off like a planer does, and an orbital to finish it smooth.
Just ordered a Bosch 3725devs 5-inch ROS for $107 on Amazon. Not the latest/greatest model, but still made in Switzerland and has very highly rated reviews. Excited to try one of those Velcro pad sanders!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008NFDM/?tag=atomicindus08-20
03.
Well-known member
+1 it's a beauty