Looking for a good pnumatic belt sander

[evan71]

i am looking to see if anyone here has any expeiriance with these and has found a good brand at a reliable price. at work we use a lot of these belt sanders and seem to always be running them into the ground. these are in the took cabinet and everyone just borrows them. probably a contributing factor as to why they dont last long sometimes. what we use are the 3/4 x 20.5 belt models. some of the models that i have found are a cp, jet, msi to name a few.

 

[cnc-me]

Dynabrade

 

[jjjrmx5]

Dynabrade

x2.

Sorry, but this is one tool you're not going to find good and on the cheap.

I use both a Dynabrade and S-O/Blue Point unit almost daily with no problems.

You can check out the HF version as I have one in my box, but they are poorly constructed, less than user friendly and have limited to almost no adjustements to align the belt. If used once a year, it will get you by, but anything more and I wouldn't trust it.

 

[Major Ramifications]

Sounds like you need to step up to Dynabrade. If they are getting used that much, you shouldn't bother with the cheaper stuff.

 

[diesel research]

What are some uses for those belt sanders?

 

[jjjrmx5]

What are some uses for those belt sanders?

I find them especially good for modifying plastic parts such as automotive interior trim pieces and light metalwork (e.g. modifying automotive firewalls or chassis for custom installs) . Because of the flat belt, they can give you a very tight and well controlled corner when doing finish work vs. a round burr in a die grinder. (They also are good for sanding and finishing the edge of sheet metal cut with hole saws vs. using a file.)

They are good for wood working if doing refined pieces and because of the portability and the airline, they can be used inside a vehicle or inside tight quarters where a removing a part and taking to a bench sander is not an option and where an airsaw will give you too rough of a cut.

They are also used in the tool and die industry and prototyping industry very often.

They're nice to have when you need them due to portability, but a bench or pedestal belt sander is usually a better all-around tool.

 

[rsanter]

I have had a jet model for years and it works great

bob

 

[evan71]

i think that we have several negatives going for us. one of them is that so many people use them and they never get oiled.

has anyone tried the cp model, cp9780. i found that and a jet (jsm-620) for about $200 (online price). if i buy one for myself i think that would last me forever, but with others using them??? i dont think we will step up to the dynabrade price.

 

[jjjrmx5]

i think that we have several negatives going for us. one of them is that so many people use them and they never get oiled.

has anyone tried the cp model, cp9780. i found that and a jet (jsm-620) for about $200 (online price). if i buy one for myself i think that would last me forever, but with others using them??? i dont think we will step up to the dynabrade price.

Well, I think you just answered the questions of why so-called "Industrial tools" are often expensive and need prescribed maintenance.

The Chicago Pneumatic unit is quite worthy of handling daily shop duty, but in a multi-user setting, you will need several, plus a back-up (or two) in the event one goes down and requires a parts fix.

The S-O/Blue Point units are nice in the fact that if you have a weekly S-O rep, a fix is not far away. For the Dynabrade, they are designed for heavy use in extreme conditions, and the purchase price reflects that (and really on 99% of what they sell).

Which all goes back to my original response. Buy cheap and you'll go thru sanders like "Kate + 8" goes thru diapers. Buy expensive and you'll pay more up front but with more productivity due to lack of tool "down time."

If buying just for you, the CP would be awesome. If sharing that tool and if it sees a lot of use, then it's a poor business and productivity decision IMHO.
Your money. Your down-time.

Good luck.