Some people don’t care for the dust bag being mounted on top but have gotten used to that with time. However, if not clipped on properly, it can end up blowing in your face. Belt sanders are simple tools that don’t need many improvements. However, if you use your belt sander in the shop, consider these two upgrades. Belt sanders take off serious amounts of wood, so they can wreck plywood pretty much instantly.
This power tool has one of the best drive belt systems on the market. It features Hitachi’s V-belt and pulley design and is highly resistant to wear and tear. The sander is designed for comfort, and its two rubberized handles allow you to grip it and guide it along the work piece. It weighs a little less than eight pounds and is very stable. A five-amp motor with impressive torque provides great power to the surface and creates a high-quality finish. However, its single speed greatly limits its usage.
The auto-tracking feature allows you to adjust the belt on-the-go without interrupting your workflow. The dust collector and the powerful blower ensure that the workplace stays spotless all day. We loved the extra-long 16.4-foot power cord on the 9903. Saves the hassles that come with using extension cords and gives you enough play to avoid the dreaded ‘cord-in-the-sander’ trap.
Types Of Belt Sanders
You’d be hard-pressed to find a better entry in the belt sander game than the Makita 9403. We love the versatility of this WEN sander, which is designed to be used as both a handheld sander, as well as a stationary bench top version by flipping it upside-down. In addition to a six-by-48-inch belt, this machine also provides a circular sanding disk, making it more versatile than handheld models.
Buying A Belt Sander
The risks it poses are less to the user than to the workpiece, as it can quickly sand away large areas, particularly if left stationary in one area. Its 1,640 SFPM outpaces the Porter-Cable, among others. That speed helps with tough surfaces and things like taking a rough cut timber to a smooth surface. However, the Makita doesn’t feature a variable speed option but I don’t use that feature on my Porter Cable. The dust bag sits on top and slightly to the right. It also swivels 360 degrees to keep it out of your way.
The everyday DIYer on a budget knows there’s nothing wrong with opting for a more affordable—and less feature-heavy—alternative to the higher-end http://shekhai.com/wooden-toy-animals-and-creatures/s on the market. The WEN 6321 Corded Belt Sander with Dust Bag is one such unit, but that doesn’t mean it skimps on performance. Host to a 7-amp motor that rotates its 3-inch by 21-inch belt over 13 feet per second, the WEN 6321 matches the quality of a higher-end model at a fraction of competitors’ prices.
You can also use the tool to remove stains from wood, paint from surfaces, and to resurface old furniture. When fitted with a coarse paper, it will sand away dense layers of paint and smooth rough surfaces at a surprisingly fast rate. Like any tough tool, however, it must be handled with appropriate care.