To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Astro Pneumatic ONYX 3037 1/2″ Pneumatic Belt Sander Review

To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
C

CobraRed

Well-known member
Joined
May 30, 2014
Messages
670
I like these kind of sanders for aluminum. Anyone that's ever used a die grinder or any other rotational sander knows the pad gums up with stuck aluminum and you need to apply wax to the pad often to avoid it. These are narrower so you can focus on the weld or small area you're grinding yet have a lot of surface area so don't gum up right away.
OP, how do you feel about the size. Would the ideal size be bigger or smaller? I've tried a couple diff sizes, so I'm curious.
 
I

Iron-Iceberg

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 14, 2006
Messages
887
Location
A-town
Ok, I'm sorry but I need a little more of a performance review.
If you have ever used a cheep one of these from Harbor Freight you will find that they have no power and it is easy to stall the belt. It is also easy to knock the belt off the tool by pressing too hard on the roller tip, or at any kind of an angle.
Mine stays in the drawer unless I'm in a spot where no other tool will work and then it's just an exercise in frustration.
I've been tempted to get a Dotco or some other expensive brand but if it didn't work about a 100 times better than the HF it wouldn't be worth it for the price.
The astro looks bigger than the HF so I am guessing the power is better. But is it enough? Does the belt stay on if you grind at an angle to the platen? If you press down on just the roller tip to grind a spot does the belt stay on?
Sorry I just need more of a performance review than a function review.
 
C

CobraRed

Well-known member
Joined
May 30, 2014
Messages
670
I'm sure Astro can speak on this, but
It looks to be the same product line and has the same parts breakdown as the Astro 209:
http://www.astrotools.com/pdf/Breakdown/209.pdf
Which has 1/2HP

The IR belt sanders of the same size are .4HP. The sanders with 1/2hp include the $600 Chicago Pneumatic, the $500 Dynabrade 40335 and i believe the $280 Jet JSM-620 which is 0.45-0.5hp depending on where you read it but it comes with just the belt that's on it.
 
Last edited:
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
OP
F

Farmall450

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 23, 2011
Messages
13,367
Location
Marengo, Illinois
CobraRed said:
I like these kind of sanders for aluminum. Anyone that's ever used a die grinder or any other rotational sander knows the pad gums up with stuck aluminum and you need to apply wax to the pad often to avoid it. These are narrower so you can focus on the weld or small area you're grinding yet have a lot of surface area so don't gum up right away.
OP, how do you feel about the size. Would the ideal size be bigger or smaller? I've tried a couple diff sizes, so I'm curious.
Click to expand...

I really like it, 3/4" has its purpose, but I smoothed out a large area real fast with this. Also more precise for radius/etc

I'm not sure of the hp, but I tried to force it to stall and couldn't.
 
OP
F

Farmall450

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 23, 2011
Messages
13,367
Location
Marengo, Illinois
Iron-Iceberg said:
Ok, I'm sorry but I need a little more of a performance review.
If you have ever used a cheep one of these from Harbor Freight you will find that they have no power and it is easy to stall the belt. It is also easy to knock the belt off the tool by pressing too hard on the roller tip, or at any kind of an angle.
Mine stays in the drawer unless I'm in a spot where no other tool will work and then it's just an exercise in frustration.
I've been tempted to get a Dotco or some other expensive brand but if it didn't work about a 100 times better than the HF it wouldn't be worth it for the price.
The astro looks bigger than the HF so I am guessing the power is better. But is it enough? Does the belt stay on if you grind at an angle to the platen? If you press down on just the roller tip to grind a spot does the belt stay on?
Sorry I just need more of a performance review than a function review.
Click to expand...

I'll take that into account from now on.
Belt stayed on, even when I caught and shredded half of it.

I did try to get it off using the tip ...it stayed on.

Thanks for your suggestions
 
A

Astro_Pneumatic_Tools

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 30, 2013
Messages
2,108
Location
South El Monte
Sorry for the late update. These belt sanders are 0.5HP, the overall design was focused on eliminating many of the common problems with these type of sanders that have been brought up in this thread.

I'm loving these technical questions!

__________________
Chris P
Product Manager
Phone# (800)-221-9705

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AstroPneumaticToolCompany
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/AstroTools
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/astr...c-tool-company
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/AstroPneumatic
Pintrest: http://pinterest.com/astropneumatic/
 
OP
F

Farmall450

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 23, 2011
Messages
13,367
Location
Marengo, Illinois
Iron-Iceberg said:
Ok, I'm sorry but I need a little more of a performance review.
If you have ever used a cheep one of these from Harbor Freight you will find that they have no power and it is easy to stall the belt. It is also easy to knock the belt off the tool by pressing too hard on the roller tip, or at any kind of an angle.
Mine stays in the drawer unless I'm in a spot where no other tool will work and then it's just an exercise in frustration.
I've been tempted to get a Dotco or some other expensive brand but if it didn't work about a 100 times better than the HF it wouldn't be worth it for the price.
The astro looks bigger than the HF so I am guessing the power is better. But is it enough? Does the belt stay on if you grind at an angle to the platen? If you press down on just the roller tip to grind a spot does the belt stay on?
Sorry I just need more of a performance review than a function review.
Click to expand...

Also worth noting, I've used an el cheapo, not sure of the brand, but it sucked. Bogged down and swiveled unless you really torqued the head down. About useless IMO for getting lots done fast.

On the other hand, this astro is great...a dang good value IMO. :thumbup:
It is imported though, if COO matters to you.
 
I

Iron-Iceberg

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 14, 2006
Messages
887
Location
A-town
Thanks for the update. .5 hp sounds good. Also the head swiveling was a problem with my last one and probably part of the reason for the belts coming off.
I'm going to get one and test it out. They are really great for getting into places other tools can't.
 
OP
F

Farmall450

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 23, 2011
Messages
13,367
Location
Marengo, Illinois
Iron-Iceberg said:
Thanks for the update. .5 hp sounds good. Also the head swiveling was a problem with my last one and probably part of the reason for the belts coming off.
I'm going to get one and test it out. They are really great for getting into places other tools can't.
Click to expand...

They certainly are

I snugged up the set screw and haven't had the head move on me yet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom