I need a mini belt sander, recommendations please

[toplessHO]

I have several grinders but theres always that area that they wont fit.
so do I buy attachment for a angle grinder
or get one thats only a belt sander.
Air would probably be the best but not sure of getting a $30 cheap HF one.
size of belt is also a concern,3/8" or 1 CM seems pretty narrow but want a size thats
most common for belt replacements readily available .
not looking for a $300 3M as I wont use that often.

 

[Ditchdigger]

My collection.

The Matco cordless 3/8" belt unit is garbage. The belt speed is too slow.
The Cornwell Pneumatic 3/8" is my workhorse. Love that thing. Makes me wish we still had a Cornwell rep here. It replaced the Harbor Freight 3/8" unit after it had to be warrantied 5 times. No regrets.
The Astro Onyx 1/2" is sturdy, powerful but also the single loudest air tool I own. It is so loud the other guys in the shop complain. It gets used rarely because of that.

 

[GeoBruin]

I live "band files". One of my most used tools.

I have a milwaukee m12 cut-off tool converted to a 3/8 belt sander and use it a lot, however I do find the 1/2" x 18" size even more useful. In that size, I have the Harbor Freight "Baxter" pneumatic model. I use it all the time and love it. That said, the Astro Pneumatic model 3037 (which may or may not be identical to the Baxter) is currently selling for less than the Baxter, though I believe I used a coupon for the Baxter which may make it even cheaper.

If you're open to corded electric, HF currently has a coupon to get their corded 1/2" x 18" model on sale for half off.

 

[mike93lx]

If you're open to corded electric, HF currently has a coupon to get their corded 1/2" x 18" model on sale for half off.

Well damn, at 25 bucks, how could you not

 

[GeoBruin]

Well damn, at 25 bucks, how could you not

I'm with you. I don't like how large the shroud is on the electric models, and I can't imagine it's super quick to change belts, but 25 bucks seems like a steal.

 

[toplessHO]

I live "band files". One of my most used tools.

I have a milwaukee m12 cut-off tool converted to a 3/8 belt sander and use it a lot, however I do find the 1/2" x 18" size even more useful. In that size, I have the Harbor Freight "Baxter" pneumatic model. I use it all the time and love it. That said, the Astro Pneumatic model 3037 (which may or may not be identical to the Baxter) is currently selling for less than the Baxter, though I believe I used a coupon for the Baxter which may make it even cheaper.

If you're open to corded electric, HF currently has a coupon to get their corded 1/2" x 18" model on sale for half off.

I saw that on sale
may need to buy electric and look for a good brand of air thats reasonably priced(or good used)

As for the loud tool,I wrap a shop rag around the grip to cover the exhaust and muffle it.
It cant be any louder than my CP air drills.

Seeing both 3/8" and 1/2" being used by same owner tell me what advantages of each are.

 

[GeoBruin]

I saw that on sale
may need to buy electric and look for a good brand of air thats reasonably priced(or good used)

As for the loud tool,I wrap a shop rag around the grip to cover the exhaust and muffle it.
It cant be any louder than my CP air drills.

Seeing both 3/8" and 1/2" being used by same owner tell me what advantages of each are.

About what you would think. If you really need to get into to tight spaces (like grinding the weld seam out of 1" diameter square tube), the small size of the whole boom assembly is invaluable.

Also, if you're grinding a spot weld, you can focus your grinding on a very small spot and not remove too much material around the weld.

That said, focusing all that grinding on a little 3/8" wide belt, especially if you're grinding on the contact wheel, the belts wear out pretty quickly. You also build up more heat with a smaller/shorter belt.

The 1/2" x 18" belt just has more surface area, so you get less belt wear for the same amount of material removal. There's also less heat buildup. The biggest difference in practice is the boom/platen is longer, so you get a little extra reach.

Here is a video I made recently testing air consumption of a few air tools. The band file is the 4th tool tested so you can skip to if you want, but it may be useful to see the air consumption and noise difference between the band file and a couple other conventional air tools. Again, I allege that the Baxter and the Astro are the same tool, so it should be pretty representative of both.

 

[JradM]

I have the Ryobi. I bought it because it was the only option for the cordless brands I own (despite the fact that I have like 10). Now that Dewalt has released one, I probably would go that way if doing it over again. In fact, I may eventually decide the Ryobi isn't cutting it and upgrade.

I bring that up just to give you some context about my observations. The Ryobi is very handy to have. I don't regret buying it. Paired with a good belt, it removes material pretty quickly - or you can get very fine belts and give metal a good polish. Belts are readily obtainable on Amazon. It's also cheap - like WAY cheaper than the new Dewalt. Even more so if you find it on sale or when Home Depot has a "buy a tool get a battery offer".

Cordless or air power is also an option, but I would much rather a cheap cordless unit personally.

The new Dewalt looks to have much more power and is capable of higher belt speeds. That would be nice... It also has an adjustable arm angle and an optional offset arm.

It has platens under the belt on both sides, meaning you could use the belt equally well in both directions. The Ryobi only has that on the front side - I still use the backside and sometimes the belt flex is actually handy, but I think using the Dewalt would be more predictable. I also find the Ryobi will throw off it's belt to one side or the other easily if I sand with the tip.

Bottom-line is that the Ryobi is a handy tool with acceptable performance for the price, but Dewalt looks to be (predictably) more of a pro-grade offering.

 

[Jeff]

I use this sander for fine detail work and modeling.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08B5XM4X7/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[dnschmidt]

The new MIlwaukee's are pretty nice and you can pick the model that matches the belt size you wish to use. Their best feature is that you can change the direction of belt rotation so that you're not throwing sparks at yourself. The Astro pneumatics are very fast but are LOUD and complete air hogs. You need at least a five HP compressor to power one for any length of time.

 

[Rinspeed]

Dynabrade is a top choice but they are a little pricey.

 

[purplezr2]

I live "band files". One of my most used tools.

I have a milwaukee m12 cut-off tool converted to a 3/8 belt sander and use it a lot, however I do find the 1/2" x 18" size even more useful. In that size, I have the Harbor Freight "Baxter" pneumatic model. I use it all the time and love it. That said, the Astro Pneumatic model 3037 (which may or may not be identical to the Baxter) is currently selling for less than the Baxter, though I believe I used a coupon for the Baxter which may make it even cheaper.

If you're open to corded electric, HF currently has a coupon to get their corded 1/2" x 18" model on sale for half off.

M12 Band Files

 

[tarbellb]

Dynabrade is top quality if going air

Makita makes a nice corded model, but im sure the HF/Astro are fine

Battery = pick your color, seems Milwaukee is ahead of the pack currently

 

[finn]

Astro Onyx here. It seemed to be the most recooended, at a reasonable price when I was in the market.

No complaints, and it doesn’t unduly tax my compressor. By the nature of cutting spot welds, the duty cycle overall is quite low, considering how quickly belts get consumed.

Not sure if it’s the brand or what, but aggressive belts seem to have a shorte life than finer grit. I just ordered an assortment from the same manufacturer, so we’ll see. Also ordered some 3M belts to see if they really are superior.

 

[toolenthusiast]

I have the Harbor Freight Baxter 1/2”x18” and that thing gets down. I’m less than impressed by the corded HF tool, which is loud yet lacks power and has an annoying shroud.

I seem to remember that there was an upgraded arm/wheel available for the Baxter… does anyone have a link?

 

[GeoBruin]

Dynabrade is top quality if going air

Makita makes a nice corded model, but im sure the HF/Astro are fine

Battery = pick your color, seems Milwaukee is ahead of the pack currently

Not so fast... Dewalt just dropped their entry into the arena this week.

I'm heavily invested in both the Milwaukee M12 and Dewalt 20 volt systems so I'm waiting to see how tests of the Dewalt turn out.

That said, I like the form factor of the Milwaukee better. The excesive shroud on the Dewalt reminds me of the one on the corded HF Bauer, Wen, etc.

 

[toolenthusiast]

Not so fast... Dewalt just dropped their entry into the arena this week.

I'm heavily invested in both the Milwaukee M12 and Dewalt 20 volt systems so I'm waiting to see how tests of the Dewalt turn out.

That said, I like the form factor of the Milwaukee better. The excesive shroud on the Dewalt reminds me of the one on the corded HF Bauer, Wen, etc.

Adjustable speed
Nice light
Tool-free belt changes
Size

 

[KnurledNut]

Teal was ahead of the pack back in 2021 with their XSB01.
Not typical, but they beat red and yellow to the punch with this one.

 

[dnschmidt]

Astro Onyx here. It seemed to be the most recooended, at a reasonable price when I was in the market.

No complaints, and it doesn’t unduly tax my compressor. By the nature of cutting spot welds, the duty cycle overall is quite low, considering how quickly belts get consumed.

Not sure if it’s the brand or what, but aggressive belts seem to have a shorte life than finer grit. I just ordered an assortment from the same manufacturer, so we’ll see. Also ordered some 3M belts to see if they really are superior.

For spot welds 60 grit is the hot setup. Fast enough and last far longer than the coarser grits.

 

[larry4406]

Acourtjester posted this home made 30" belt grinder over on Welding Web

 

[finn]

For spot welds 60 grit is the hot setup. Fast enough and last far longer than the coarser grits.

That’s exactly what I expect my little “experiment” will find. The abrasive grit quickly rips out of the 40. The sweet spot will probably be 60 or 80, and finer than that will polish more than cut.

 

[toolenthusiast]

That’s exactly what I expect my little “experiment” will find. The abrasive grit quickly rips out of the 40. The sweet spot will probably be 60 or 80, and finer than that will polish more than cut.

Mirka 80 definitely beats Mirka 50 for longevity, idk about other brands.

 

[Firebrick43]

As far as air, the dynabrades are awesome in power and quality. Lasted forever as well deburring large engine block 24 hours a day

I really wanted one but didn’t want to spend that kind of money so I tried the HF and it’s absolute garbage, no power and high air usage.

 

[GeoBruin]

As far as air, the dynabrades are awesome in power and quality. Lasted forever as well deburring large engine block 24 hours a day

I really wanted one but didn’t want to spend that kind of money so I tried the HF and it’s absolute garbage, no power and high air usage.

Which harbor freight model are you referring to?

 

[Firebrick43]

Which harbor freight model are you referring to?

The central pneumatic one. It was so bad it went into the trash.

It looked like the 60627 but the way HF changes the skus or even have multiple skus for the same appearing item to I surmise to get rid of the bad reviews I can’t say for sure.

 

[Etchase]

How is the Wen? It’s under $30 sometimes. I’d probably use it less than a dozen times a year. I’m happy with their 4” belt sander, with a similar use profile.

 

[toplessHO]

just piked up a HF one on sale(only a couple days left on the coupon)
It takes the 1/2x18" belt.
What brand is best for belts?

 

[GeoBruin]

just piked up a HF one on sale(only a couple days left on the coupon)
It takes the 1/2x18" belt.
What brand is best for belts?

I've been very happy with my zirconia and ceramic belts from Benchmark Abrasives.

 

[toplessHO]

this came with...wait for it,German made 60 grit

 

[ZRX61]

Just dropped $25 at Horrible Fright after seeing this thread

 

[ZRX61]

Not so fast... Dewalt just dropped their entry into the arena this week.

Hopefully that will be one of the *free* tools next time Lowes has a special

 

[ZRX61]

Which brand belts don't split at the seam within seconds or fling the abrasive all over as it cracks off the belts?

 

[ToolFanGeoff]

The best luck I have had for belts (1/2" X 18") are the 3M cubitron II.
Most of the other belts I have tried separate at the seam too quickly.
I like the 60 grit and 80 grit. I have 36 grit belts, but they seem a little too coarse for my applications.

 

[toplessHO]

Are any of the belts on Amazon worth a ****?
(Not including the 3M for $30 ea.)

 

[finn]

The Astro belts from Amazon aren’t too bad, at least the 60 grit 3/8”x13”.

I don’t like the 80 grit I have tr,ied, but I don’t know who manufactured them.

 

[ToolFanGeoff]

ToplessHO, I have bought the 3M Cubitron II on Amazon. The $30 box is for 10 belts. $3 per belt, not $30 each.
Even at $3 each, they are still a little pricy, but they perform well for my use.

 

[RTM]

I gambled and bought the HF sale item, and threw a couple of their belt assortments in the cart . I had previously bought some non woven belt and coarse belt assortments off eBay from econoway abrasives and proabrasives. Will see how they perform some time. (Worst case hoping the parts are interchangeable with a B&D model I bought with only the point arm.)

 

[dnschmidt]

I get mine from AbrasiveResource.com. I'm a commercial account there so I get the best price but their belts are made from Starcke Abrasives materials and they are German. I use the zirconia version. Once again 60 grit seems to do the best.

 

[dnschmidt]

Are any of the belts on Amazon worth a ****?
(Not including the 3M for $30 ea.)

There are ten in a box.

RULE #1 WITH RESPECT TO 3M. They are high priced on everything they make but their **** works when others don't. #1 example is masking tape. I don't know what secret sauce is needed to make good masking tape but whatever it is 3M has it and just about nobody else does. Shurtape and American tape get close but there is a reason that 90% of the body shops in America use 3M tape and it sure as hell isn't the price.

 

[gahrajmahal]

I also have the air operated Baxter from harbor freight. It takes 1/2 x 18 belts. I purchased good ones from an abrasives mfg. and it works great. I bought some abrasive fiber ones I haven’t tried out yet. (Like a scotch bright).