Belt Sander recommendations.. branded or unbranded?

[farooq12]

Hi,

I am looking to buy a belt sander for my home..

Shall i purchase an un branded one or a branded sander.

It is very much important to know that belt sanders which are branded are quite pricey where as un branded chinese belt sander is cheap.

I am confused.


I was checking http://beltsanderadvisor.com and they are suggesting Makita brand.

Whats your suggestion?

Please let me know.

Thanks.

 

[acer66]

I am very happy with my big Makita 9403 and I have the
PC362 for I do not know for how long and the only issue I ever had was a bearing.
Buddy has a B&D and that is like a toy.

 

[neophyte]

Farooq12 are you a spammer?

 

[LXCam]

I have both the makita 9903 and a cheezy B&D. The makita is a really nice unit.

 

[LandofRath]

Ive been pretty happy with my Ridged belt sander. Its far better than my old Black And Decker that died.

 

[Robinson1]

Depends on what you are going to do with it.

Shop setting buy a Makita 4x24 that's your workhorse handheld sander. I've got a Ridgid 3x18 for small stuff. Never saw a need to add a 3x21 for shop use although that is the most popular size belt sander.

Contractor or serious DIYer for basic field work get a dewalt or makita 3x21. Never needed anything more and half the houses I work on are 100+ years old framed with rough sawn oak and nothing is perfectly square. I sand alot of scribes on trim.

Homeowner use, it's a tool most people never need and the ones that do have a need only use it once or twice a year. The Skil 3x18 from Walmart is actually a decent sander and runs less than $50

Most things people want a belt sander for can be done with a Stanley #5 plane.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I'm not sure which way I'd categorize my Delta, but it pretty much *****.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I have had a porter cable 3 x 21 sander for ages. I want to say it's a model 352. It is a work horse and has never let me down.

Sent from my SM-J727V using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[farooq12]

So its better to go with Makita right?? People are suggesting bosch too..

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

For a handheld, I like the big old Bosch thats flat on top so you can set it on the bench upside down.

 

[todd_fuller]

Have you thought about a Festool Rotex sander?

 

[exmaxima1]

Since buying a Bosch disc sander 6 months ago, I sold my Porter Cable 3x21 belt sander. The Bosch is so much lighter and easier to handle, and does a better job. Still have a 4x24, but will sell that soon as well.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008NFDM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[PNWguy]

Your question could be better answered if you gave more information.

Do you need it once for a single job? Are you planning to be a woodworker for the next 40 years? Do you have a budget?

In general, the more you pay, the better the tool. You can find something really cheap at Harbor Freight or Ace for $30, or you can pay hundreds for fancy German stuff.

Hom Depot and Lowes sell the next level of "house brand" tools, that are perhaps better than HF, but more expensive. Rigid & Kobalt.
There's a sweet spot in the middle, usually held by brands like Bosch, Makita, DeWalt, Milwaulkee.
At the upper end, there's Fien and Festool. You may be shocked at the price of some of those.

Again, it all depends on use and need.

You question is similar to "what car should I buy?" We just don't know enough to give you a decent answer.