Recommend a hand held belt sander?

[Perry Holbrook]

Anyone care to recommend a good hand held belt sander? Looking at the 4x24 variable speed ones. Bosch, Makita, etc. They're probably pretty much the same. I probably won't use it very often so the budget is less than $250.

Thanks, Perry

[Rick Lizek]

I'd have to recommend the Makita. In our commercial shop the Makita tools last longer than the Bosch for some reason. Also the Makita takes a sanding frame which is kinda like training wheels for a belt sander. Most folks don't even know what they are but it's a worthwhile option. Typically certain accessories are only available from Makita and won't be found on most discount tool sites. Wehave the Makita and sanding frame in our shop and it's been well received.

Just so you know the next level up in my opinion is a srtoke sander which is a big belt sander.

[Todd Solomon]

It depends on what you're going to use it for.

If it's for heavy duty contractor type work, a big Porter Cable belt sander works well.

But if it's for woodworking, I agree with the other poster that a belt sander with a frame is very advantageous. I used one in a class to quickly level some dovetails, and was very impressed. Much less of a risk of you accidentally rocking the belt sander, and ruining your fine craftsmanship. I don't remember what brand it was, perhaps Makita or Bosch.

Todd

[Ken Garlock]

The Bosch 3x21 variable speed does a good job for me, sometimes, too good.:rolleyes:

[Mikail Khan]

I have the Bosch 4x24 and I very happy with it. Amazon has had it on sale for $125 twice in the last 2 months. If weight is a concern look at the 3x21 sanders.

[Jim Becker]

I opted for a 3"x21" (Bosch) when I bought one, but my uses at the time were simple and infrequent. (the same holds true today) If I were working large stuff frequently or needed a lot of power, one of the 4"x24" machines would have been a better choice. I do like the Bosch I own and it has reasonably good dust collection considering the port is tiny...

[Bartee Lamar]

Rick,

Which Makita model are you buying... There are a bunch of different models

[Chuck Lenz]

I've had a Makita for over 20 years.

[David DeCristoforo]

As you can see, Makita and Bosch are going to get the most votes. They are very close in quality and although I lean toward the Bosch, it is probably more personal preference. As to which sander you need, it's really going to depend on what you will be doing most. For "flat" work (table tops and such) a 4X24 is, obviously going to be better. But these are generally heavier machines and if you need to "take the tool to the work", you might want a smaller, lighter sander. My "favorite" is my Porter Cable 504 which looks to be discontinued (???) is (was?) over your stated budget and is anything but light weight! I also have a smaller Bosch and an older Makita which has not been used since I got the Bosch.

[Perry Holbrook]

Thanks, I thought those would be at the top of the list. Actually my application is out of the ordinary (as usual). I'm looking to add it as an attachment to my metal lathe. One of the boxes I make uses a steel hemisphere as part of the body. The steel has a ridge around the top which has too be sanded off. I've been doing it by hand on the edge sander, but I think I can get better quality by spinning it on the lathe and use a belt sander. I think I can attach it to the tool carriage. (Told you it was unusual).

Thanks, Perry

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

I have had the big dog Makita (4*21) for oh say 20 some odd years and it's still a bullet proof beast. I have done floors in three houses & furniture, used it on steel & to sharpen lawnmower blades My ex wife had a penchant for plugging it in while it was on and sitting on a high table and running it off to crash on the floor. It survived all of that and still tracks true and runs strong.

[Roger Savatteri]

When you need the feather touch application of a belt sander........

I've been very well impressed with my recently acquired Porter Cable / model 371
2 1/2 by 14 inch.

.....be sure to check the dust exhaust fitting before you leave the store to make sure you have the right fitting to match whatever type of shop vac your using.

[Todd Jensen]

You might look at the Dewalt DW433KT. I bought mine over a year ago and am very happy with it. The stand it comes with is very very handy - I've used it for a lot of woodworking(used it today actually) as well as for metalworking. It is going for $229 right now at the big giant online seller that sells lots of books.;) There may be others better suited for production work and the new small P/C seems to be great for smaller work, but for power, reliability, and versatility, I think the Dewalt kit is a fantastic deal.

[Roger Reynolds]

I have both the bosch 3x21 and 4x24 - I also have the frame for the 4x24. Both units are excellent.

[John Shuk]

The new porter cable is pretty nice and pretty ergonomically pleasing to use.
http://www.amazon.com/Porter-371K-14-Inch-Compact-Sander/dp/B000HX2TEU/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-0149399-7490317?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1182471305&sr=8-1

[Mike Cutler]

Also the Makita takes a sanding frame which is kinda like training wheels for a belt sander. Most folks don't even know what they are but it's a worthwhile option. Typically certain accessories are only available from Makita and won't be found on most discount tool sites. Wehave the Makita and sanding frame in our shop and it's been well received.

?????

I'm one of those people. I've been using belt sanders since the 70's, and never heard of one of these devices.
Thanks for the headsup, I'll be looking to see if PC has one for my 3X21 belt sander.

[Mark Singer]

The Bosch 3x21 is the best....IMHO way better in getting close to things and the best dust collection

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

I'd have to recommend the Makita. In our commercial shop the Makita tools last longer than the Bosch for some reason. Also the Makita takes a sanding frame which is kinda like training wheels for a belt sander. Most folks don't even know what they are but it's a worthwhile option.

You mean this thing?
66707

Makita Part number 193070-7 at $101.00

[D-Alan Grogg]

When you need the feather touch application of a belt sander........

I've been very well impressed with my recently acquired Porter Cable / model 371
2 1/2 by 14 inch.

.....be sure to check the dust exhaust fitting before you leave the store to make sure you have the right fitting to match whatever type of shop vac your using.

I ended up returning my PC 371K. It would not maintain the belt tracking that I dialed in because the adjustment knob and tension spring were too loose. It would start turning by itself when I turned on the unit. Seems to be a design or manufacturing problem. I know of at least a few others that had the same problem, so I won't buy this model again until I know that the problem is corrected. If not for this major problem, it would have been a nice tool.

[Rick Lizek]

You mean this thing?
66707

Makita Part number 193070-7 at $101.00




That's the sanding frame. Not all sanders can use them. No sign of a Porter Cable frame. We bought the Makita because of the frame. All the Makita tools we have are still going but for some reason the Bosch tools don't last as long in our shop.