Bench Sander Question/Advice

[reedwesd]

I am looking to buy and bench top sander for metal work and maybe a little wood work in the distant future. I have looked the looked but all the ones I look at seem to be cheap made or really expensive. Should I buy a belt sander, disk sander or a combo belt/disc sander? I would like to stay under the $200 range. I can’t figure out why they are so expensive when they are just a motor with either a plate with a disk or a pulley on one end. Thanks for your help.
Wes

 

[Kevin54]

For metal, I think you'll get more use out of a belt sander. Look at Grizzly for some of the JET models if looking at new or Craigslist has a few pop up now and then.
The main reason I say that you'll get more use out of a belt sander for metal is that you can use it for inside radiuses on some metal shapes (the radius depends on the size of the drum) A disc sander only gives you one option as to how you can sand something. Not knowing what size of belt sander you are looking at (narrow or wide), some of the wide ones will drop down to a horizontal position, you can swap the sanding belts out for a scotchbrite belt to give metal a satin brush look, you can use the end of the sander to sand inside radiuses. With a disc sander you do not get those options. With a narrow sander (1" wide belt) some of them are designed where a portion of the belt is in the open so you can actually sand the inside of a slot if need be. All in all a belt sander is just more versatile in my opinion.

 

[rjspitz]

I've been pleased with my Ryobi from Lowes (discontinued I think). I've used it quite a bit for aluminum, steel and stainless, my brother used it a few times for his Cub Scout Den's derby cars, rockets, and raingutter sailboats.

I've had to re-align the drive drum once because is started rubbing against the bracket, but no big deal. Had it 3 years now with only the one issue.

At $189, I'd say it was worth it.

The one pictured below is not mine, but it's the same tool.

 

[lilredex]

I had a similar (Delta) unit to that Ryobi sander shown, but I found it underpowered and it's gone. I would agree with the suggestions for a belt sander, gets the job done faster.

Have been using a Delta Homecraft (8 1/2") disc sander for quite a while and had thought about making a 4" belt sander or something to fit on a WW lathe.

(Still in the thinking stages)

 

[Stinger]

Are the harbor freight ones junk or are they worth it? Can't ever tell what is good/bad there.

 

[rjspitz]

Are the harbor freight ones junk or are they worth it? Can't ever tell what is good/bad there.

No experience with it. As with any HF power tool, you get what you pay for. For $79, don't expect high quality. But then again, it's just a motor, a belt and a couple drums, how bad could it be?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93981

My HF mitre saw *****!!

But my mini lathe is a beast, no problems at all with it.

 

[Steve V.]

But my mini lathe is a beast, no problems at all with it.

Which mini lathe? I'm thinking about getting one.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[rjspitz]

Which mini lathe? I'm thinking about getting one.

Thanks,

Steve

It's item 33684, which is no longer available. It's a rebranded Henco 7x10. HF carried it in green for a while, but mine is the yellow version. I'd suggestat least a 12" bed if you want a mini, drilling operations are limited on a 10" bed.

Here's some info on it, and a good site for those of you into mini lathes.

http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_lathe/Features/features.htm

 

[DGC15]

I have a 1" HF belt sander and have used it a lot for aluminum. get some good belts, not the HF ones. It's a little low on power, but for about $40 you can't beat it.
I also have a Delta 1" belt with a 8" disc. Has a little more power. Hardly ever use the disc. Delta unit was about $150.

 

[77fixer]

I have the 6x48/9" belt/disc combo. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=6852 It's not really a bench top, but I've been happy with it. I think I got it on sale for $159 and plus used the 20% coupon. When the belts start to wear out, I can bog/stall it pretty easy, but it will remove metal pretty well. I use the zirconia belts. The surround for the disc is plastic, so you have to be aware of that, but I generally just use the belt.

Brett

 

[twostory]

I have the smaller HF belt/disc sander ($79, #93981). It works okay, my wife sands wood with it constantly.

Recently, bought a used HF belt/disc sander (the $200, #6852) for $60, it is much bigger, the guy I bought it from used it to sand metal for welding. I have not used it yet, but it looks okay for HF stuff.

 

[reedwesd]

I have been thinking about getting one of the HF sanders but just not sure if it is worth it. I like the HF sander with the stand. Since they are doing 20% off i may have to get one.

 

[rsanter]

I just picked up one of the larger cman belt disc sanders used but in great shape.
havent had a chance to use it yet but seems decent. I had be wanting to get a used comercial delta units but have had not luck so I took the deal that came along

look for an older one that is heavy duty and a bargain

bob