Bench Disc/Belt Sander recommendations

[gahrajmahal]

I did a search for Bench Sanders without results, so forgive me if I am repeating a well worn subject.
I am looking into the purchase of a decent bench mount sander combo disc and belt. As they say in Monte Python... Nice, not too expensive.

I am not partial to any brand and would even consider restoring a vintage model if I knew what to look for. I don't need large capacity (12" disc or wide belt) but would not turn up my nose if everyone is in agreement that a particular model is "The cats meow".

Links to previous discussions, restorations or home built models will all be appreciated.

Show me what you got / suggest.

 

[G_P]

Im not up to speed on what brands are currently making quality models, but the older US made machines should all be good as long as they are not beat up and worn out.
If you do buy a used one, try to test it first to make sure the belt runs true. I've seen a couple where they ran fine just sitting there, but if you touched a piece of wood to the belt it would track hard to one side and tear itself up.

 

[yaidunno]

A proper sander (belt or disc) will not be cheap to purchase new. You need to get a machine that has the proper SFPM and the power to back it up. Units found at Sears and HF will be severely lacking in both, and only leave you frustrated.

If budget is a concern, a quality used unit(s) is likely your best bet. I have a Kalamazoo S4 belt and Delta 12" disc, and both are well suited for light fab work. While not true industrial grade units, they will outperform anything available from the box stores.

What will you be using this for?

 

[theoldwizard1]

Bench top are going to be pretty whimpy no matter what. The HF one is cheap but needs some "tuning" to make it acceptable, which requires a lathe. Several videos on YouTube.

If you have the space, an older Craftsman, 9" disc, 6x48 belt are really nice ... if you can find them. They sell like hot cakes around here !

 

[crguy]

Find a good used older Delta 6x48 with the 12" disc and never look back.

 

[Cruzan80]

I am currently tearing into a 6x48 Sears with 9" disc. Entire thing is held together by bolts and grub screws. Thread is in vintage tools, 103.0803 (sorry, on phone or would provide link)

 

[ez-duzit]

The Wilton (same as Jet) benchtop unit is a great tool. I have that plus a Delta stationary 6" x 48" belt/ 12" disc sander, plus a 24" State disc sander.

 

[tarbellb]

The Wilton (same as Jet) benchtop unit is a great tool. I have that plus a Delta stationary 6" x 48" belt/ 12" disc sander, plus a 24" State disc sander.

Pictures of the State 24" State disc sander PLEASE!

I will say all of the above responses are solid. But I will go out on a limb and say the HF 12" disc sander is a great value depending if it fits your needs.

 

[ez-duzit]

It's this one, but without the electric table motor; mine cranks up and down.

 

[bczygan]

1SM Kalamazoo 1x42 bench top sander.

Kalamazoo disc sander DS10V. Bench top model is available.

Bill

 

[exmaxima1]

I did a search for Bench Sanders without results, so forgive me if I am repeating a well worn subject.
I am looking into the purchase of a decent bench mount sander combo disc and belt. As they say in Monte Python... Nice, not too expensive.
.

What are you planning to "sand" with it? Metal or wood?

If wood, then a wider belt like a 6x48 is ideal. For metal you will want a faster machine typically 2-inch wide (2x48, 2x72, etc). And for metal you want a rubber contact wheel for most applications, similar to the one I added to my 10-inch grinder

 

[bczygan]

I've used a Porter Cable 15" DS-1 disc sander like this. It's a beast.

Bill

 

[bczygan]

Bench top are going to be pretty whimpy no matter what. The HF one is cheap but needs some "tuning" to make it acceptable, which requires a lathe. Several videos on YouTube.

If you have the space, an older Craftsman, 9" disc, 6x48 belt are really nice ... if you can find them. They sell like hot cakes around here !

There's 3 on our CL right now!

Bill

 

[bczygan]

How about a 36" one?

 

[bczygan]

I have a Walker Turner like this, but without the stand and motor.

Bill

 

[bczygan]

Nice Rockwell:

 

[CSRPenFab]

I've been very happy with my HF 12" direct drive disk sander. Around $125 if you catch the right sale/coupon:

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-inch-direct-drive-bench-top-disc-sander-43468.html

It hooked right up to my dust collection system and it runs true and strong. I use it solely with a special transfer punch jig to "square up" the ends of brass tubed pen blanks prior to turning on the lathe. The material ranges from hardwoods to acrylics to carbon fiber. I find the 12" disk great to provide plenty of working room and it quickly takes off the material when pushed hard or just a few thousandths when needed for fine work.

 

[gahrajmahal]

Hey thanks for all the great suggestions AND PHOTOS! It really makes a difference. I'm afraid my use will be general use and abuse while puttering around in the gahraj. I will square up wood projects, sharpen chisels, de-burr cut tubing sand plastic bits. All the stuff you shouldn't combine, but I end up doing anyway.

I like the sound of the vintage Delta sander. I may need to troll on Craig's List to see what I can find. Space is a consideration for me. That is why I mentioned bench top. I might even make it portable so I can move it in and out of the garage to keep the dust down.

More please!

 

[ez-duzit]

My Delta belt/disc sander I bought from Sydney Sabots when they sold out to Catalina Yachts. It had been well used even before Sydney got it. So I replaced the wheel bearings and a couple covers that had been severely abused. Excellent machine. The disc is the most used.

 

[tarbellb]

Sounds like a older smaller combo might be a excellent fit for your needs.

I found a older Craftsman, I think it was a 8" disc and 6" belt combo unit. Paid <$100, beat on it pretty hard with both steel and wood. Lasted till I switched it out.

As usual, the older the better generally. Mine was probably 80s/90s era.

Good luck.

 

[JZiggy]

I picked up a mid-90's Craftsman combo sander like the pic below. Here's my writeup on it. The build quality is pretty good and it's surprisingly heavy (50lb at least) and easy to work on. So far it has been plenty strong for basic shop projects.

 

[brianh]

I have a 1986 grizzly 6x48 I bought it used from the production shop I used to work in when they upgraded to deltas. I think the disc was 10 inches I took it off years ago, the belt sander has gotten so much use the platen wore below the rollers I added a piece of 3/16 white oak as a platen and its still going, gets used almost daily.

Grizzly equipment I think is made even better now than then, pricing on their tools is reasonable.

Powermatic, Jet and Grizzly have tools that are identical in casting with slight cosmetic differences and large difference in price.