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Getting The Job Done Right
Sanding is a job that needs to be well-done when you want the perfect shape and even finish on the woodwork time and again. Thus, its utility makes a belt sander one of the foremost tools in the arsenal of a woodworker.
It helps in removing the wood, and shape and round up the narrow edges to give you that fine piece of work out of a misshaped piece of wood. Whether you are a hobbyist or a DIY enthusiast, efficiency and high-quality build of the belt sander is crucial to the projects that you undertake. A good belt sander will win on both counts of finesse and speed.
With that being said, in my years of being a DIY buff, I have tried and tested quite a number of belt sanders. The one that totally stood out for me was the Makita 9403 Belt Sander. I was surprised at how cheap I was able to buy the Makita 9403 Belt Sander from the listing on Amazon. It might be an old model, but it has stood the test of time. Besides, going by the user reviews, this one is an absolute favorite of many because of its reliability and powerfulness. For me, the product has proved to be a complete value for money.
*List recently updated for 2020
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#1
Makita 9403 is an upgrade from the previous designs of 9401 and 9402, and that increased its popularity even further among the woodworkers.
Makita has always been a well-trusted brand, and this product lives up to that name with its durable construction and effective functioning.
What I really love about the product is the front handles which offer good control on the machine. The heavy-duty model means that I can use it as much as I want without worrying about damaging its motor. Besides, it does not produce that loud sound while operating. The sound of 84 decibels that it does produce is quite tolerable to me. The bearings and motor are encased in a labyrinth-like construction which prevents any dust from entering the motor. This helps to ensure that the product lasts even longer than usual. In addition to that, I’m also really happy about its great sanding action as it gets the job quickly.
My biggest complaint is about the dust collection bag that it comes with. Given the wide surface that it covers and the power of the unit, the bag needs to be a bit bigger. The bag gets filled up so quickly that I have to empty the bag frequently while working on any major project.
• Quiet operation at 84 decibels
• The belt is 4-inch in width
• Works at a speed of 1,640 feet/minute
• Large grip on the front
• Bearings and motors sealed inside a labyrinth
#2
Porter-Cable 352VS is a powerful machine that gets the job done effectively. The sturdy design and the unique features make it a good choice for the woodworkers. The amazing price tag that it comes with makes it even more popular among the users.
The best thing that I like about this belt sander is the all-metal casing. It brings down the flexion in the casing, and that lets me have more control over the belt sander. Belts are also not much prone to get drifted as they can be centered easily. The casing is also heat absorbent, which increases the longevity of the machine and keeps the belt cool enough. The motor remains exactly above the belt, thereby, ensuring a better balance in operation. The machine also comes with 360 degrees swiveling dust bag. The setup of the bag makes sure that I am able to keep it out of my way while working. I have not found this feature of a swiveling dust bag in too many sanders.
I would not recommend using this belt sander to anyone who is a heavy user. It is just not made for heavy usage on a daily basis. I would also like to see better dust collection bags than what the company has provided. The dust blows out from the bag and creates a mess all around, and then I spend all my time in clearing the mess.
• 360-degree swiveling dust bag
• All-metal casing
• Variable speed settings
• Quick release levers
• Tracking knob
#3
Wen 6321 is the perfect machine to be used around the workshop and at home for DIY projects.
The good price of the product and the excellent customer support and service offered by the brand makes it one of the major draws in the market.
The 7 AMP motor moves the belt with a speed of 820 feet/second, which means it, is well-suited for stripping paint, beveling and de-burring the edges. The front roller is extended enough to let me reach the snug corners, while both the body of the machine and my hand safely out of the way. The handle comes with an on-lock button that helps to make the trigger lockdown, and I get better control over the sander. I even found the tension to the belts really easy to modify as I just need to turn the knob for reducing or improving the tension. The motor is strong enough to take on my DIY projects. The 80-grit belt is good enough for beginners.
This is not much of a complaint, but I feel the product needs more improvements if the brand wants to look beyond the market for DIY woodworkers. It is not going to last long on heavy-duty use. The sander has a tendency to wobble, which is manageable for minor work and small projects but unsuited for any major woodwork.
• Extended Front rollers
• Compact and lightweight design
• Lockdown trigger
• 7 AMP motor and 13 feet/second speed
• Belts come with an adjustable knob
#4
Makita 9903 is another quality product from the famed brand. It is a great product to use when you want precision in your work.
It’s safe to say that this one is a well-built product from a brand that has earned the trust of carpenters all over the world.
The electronic speed control coupled with an 8.8AMP motor makes operating it an absolute breeze for any carpenter. I believe the versatility of the model also stems from the fact that it comes with variable speed controls for the belt that range from 690-1,440 feet/minute. I really like the extended base that it offers which makes flush sanding against the walls so much easy. There is also an additional sanding shoe for controlling the sanding depth. I would suggest you choose this belt sander when you want to work on cabinets or other such fine jobs. The large sandbag and the adjustable belt are other amazing add-ons to this model. You will always be able to sand the surface on a straight line.
When it comes to comparing the price point, this belt sander is quite expensive compared to the other products on the list. Besides, for the price tag that it comes with, it is still not suited for industrial usage. The build quality needs further improvements if you want to undertake heavy-duty work with it.
• Quiet operation at 85 decibels
• Extended design of the base
• Additional sanding shoe
• Ergonomically designed grip
• Variable speed settings
#5
Porter has yet again proved its mettle with this amazing product from their range of belt sanders. This one is the ideal tool for both hobbyist and professionals alike. The powerful motor along with the durability of the model makes it one of my top choices.
The best part about the product is that it swivels, and so, it does not get in my way as I work. Besides, the ergonomically designed handle does not let my hand get too fatigued while working for a long time. The 12 AMP motor is powerful enough to sit over the plate properly and offer the balance that you are looking for. The completely metal body makes it durable enough for a commercial environment. I even like the fact that I can adjust the speed from 1,000 till 1,500 sfpm. The large dust collection bag means that I do not need to run to empty it again and again.
The multidirectional sanding action makes the power cord end up on that open side at times, and then, it gets pulled in the belt. This was damaging the power cord. So, I ended up taping a piece of plastic loom around the cord to prevent this. Besides, the exhaust from the fan keeps on blowing hot air directly on my hand.
• 12 AMP motor offering enough power
• Speed dial with 1,000-1,500 SFPM setting
• Flush sanding on vertical surfaces
• Comes with a 100G belt
• Swivel action for multidirectional sanding
#6
With the SB8V2 Belt Sander, Hitachi showcases the reasons it has for being a renowned name in the market.
The machine is at the mid-price range, and even then, it offers absolute value for money. The great features make it one of the models that stand out.
The Hitachi SB8V2 is a durable and powerful belt sander. Well-priced for the range of features, it comes with some really innovative design components. I have found the 9AMP motor to be powerful enough to remove quite a lot of wood at one time. I get to have a complete view of the sanding line thanks to the clear tracking window. Ergonomic elastomer handles bring down the vibration, and I get better control over the operations. I’m so relieved that I don’t need to adjust the belt time and again while working, all thanks to the V-belt tech. The quick release lever also makes it easy for me to replace the belts when I need to.
When it comes to the size of the dust bag, it suffers from the same problem as Makita 9403. Its small compared to the amount of wood that it removes in a given time. Also, the machine is a bit on the heavier side compared to the other models on the list, which is quite an issue while working for too long.
• Soft and ergonomic grip
• Powerful 9AMP motor
• Variable speed settings
• Clear tracking window
• Dust bag on the left side
#7
Black & Decker DS321 is the ideal belt sander for the ones looking for a good product on a budget.
The good design and solid features make it one of the important additions to this list. All you DIY project buffs out there: choose this one without a second thought.
As I mentioned before, this is a good product for some DIY sanding. For instance, when I want to sand a cabinet door, under the kitchen counter, or the edge of a cupboard, this one gets the job well-done. The adjustable handle makes it easy for me to reach the tight spaces. The flush body design is another great addition, which helps me to sand the vertical surfaces and edges easily. The compact and lightweight design offer further ease to the user. The machine does not need any assembling or anything after you take it out of the box. Simply, plug it in and start working.
I have a couple of issues with this product. Firstly, it has a 2-pin plug in place of the usual 3-pin one. Secondly, the belt slows down when I apply extensive pressure. Thirdly, it has a tendency to get overheated when used continuously. Lastly, it also comes with no speed control making it unsuited for professional use. It has the potential to be a great machine if the above-mentioned changes are brought in it.
• The flush design on the body
• Adjustable handle
• Retractable casing
• Compact and lightweight design
• Angled belt
#8
This product comes with the distinction of winning the prestigious Handy Magazine Innovation Award in the year 2006.
This speaks volumes about its unique design and great functionality. It is a quality belt sander from a brand that is known for its high-end products.
The belt on this sander is a lot smaller than the others that I have seen and used. This 2 ½ x 14” belt makes it super easy for me to sand even the tightest of spaces. The flat side lets me sand the corners effectively. It also has good flexibility and balance. Low center of gravity of this belt sander offers great control on the machine. The handle offers good control and support. I use the electrical cord as an auxiliary grip when I need to do heavy-duty sanding work, and you can do it too. The lightweight and compact design do not strain my arm too much while working.
At 5AMP, Porter-Cable 371K has one of the weakest motors that I have seen. The front handle no doubt offers good control, but it also gets in the way when trying to sand corners. This unit also needs a dust bag as it gets too messy otherwise. In its present condition, the machine is, at the most, good only for DIY projects and not really suitable for any heavy-duty usage.
• Lightweight and compact design
• Detachable dust port
• Detachable auxiliary handle
• Cord Grip
• Dust-sealed switch preventing accidental turn-off
#9
SKIL 7510-01 is a certified belt sander with auto tracking and a 6 AMP motor.
These two features combine to offer you a sander that packs quite a punch when it comes to light to moderate usage. If you are new to woodworking, then this product is nothing short of a sound investment for you.
This is a basic sander that has been made keeping the needs of a beginner in mind. I agree that there aren’t too many fancy features in the model, but it still gets the occasional DIY works sorted. I have more reasons to love this model because of my annoying dust allergy. The micro-filtration captures and holds even the finest dust particles. So, I do not need to bring out my mask while working with this product! The clearly visible dust canister indicates the time to empty out the canister. It offers good value for money for those of you who are looking for a basic setup to help you with minor maintenance and DIY tasks.
The weight of more than 7 pounds, for a machine that is basically made for the beginners, is definitely an issue. It just ends up making the machine too uncomfortable for prolonged usage. I would seriously like the brand to consider bringing down the weight a bit to make it more appreciated by the aspiring handymen.
• Micro-filtration technology
• Auto tracking system
• Pressure control technology
• Clearly visible dust canister
• Single lever usage for belt changes
#10
Tacklife happened to be an almost unknown brand until recently. It has gradually risen the ranks by proving its mettle in the belt sanders market. The great reviews from the users really speak volumes about the quality of this product.
In my opinion, for a brand that is relatively new in the market, the Tacklife belt sander does not disappoint at all, and in fact, it offers value for money. It is ideal for home users engaged in DIY projects. It comes with two detachable dust boxes of 32 and 35mm. This sander also has variable speed settings with 6 dials to suit the kind of material that you work upon. Just use the two clamps and fix the machine to your worktable to make it work as a bench sander. Setup the lock-on buttons and free your hands to ensure greater flexibility. That’s like too many features for an entry-level machine, isn’t it?
In this case, I have no complaints about the size of the dust collector, but rather, about the fact that the reservoir keeps annoyingly popping off in the middle of my work! The machine also gets heated up too quickly, and I need to leave it off for some time just to let it cool off. Having said all that, it does more than enough given the price point it comes with!
• Can be turned into a bench sander
• Lightweight at only 6lbs.
• Variable speed settings
• Dust-free application
• 13 piece sanding belts
Belt sanders help in removing unwanted material from a surface, like removing splinters from a surface or smoothing the edges. It also helps to remove any kind of finishing over wood. Depending on the kind of sandpaper that you use, it can also help to shape up wood, and other such materials. For instance, a finely gritted sandpaper will help you get the perfectly smooth surface after the sanding action is done. Sanders also come in handy for polishing finished products.
Release the tension lever between the rollers, and the belt will come off easily. Remove the belt by sliding it to a side of the sander. Put the new belt on it, and tighten the tension lever one more time. Switch on the power of the Sander, and check the direction in which the belt shifts. You will find a knob on one side of the machine. Use this knob for tightening or loosening the belt before you start using.
You can also wrap a string around the belt, and cut where the points of the string meet. Now, lay this string flat and measure to get the exact length. The third method is, making a mark on the belt and correspondingly on the worktable. Rotate the belt till the mark on it touches the worktable again and mark the table right there. The distance between these two points on your table will give you the actual length of the belt.
Reputed manufacturers have made the job of sanding a lot easier and simpler with their handheld sanders available in the market. The corded and portable solutions help you to sand down a wide range of surfaces. From levelling wooden blanks to stripping the hardwood flooring, a good quality belt sander can help you undertake even the toughest works. In addition to that, the speed at which these sanders remove the dust and wastes from the surface is truly commendable.
However, the work of belt sanders is a lot more complicated than it seems. So, do not go on expecting you will be a master of your craft on the first attempt. Also, the large machines and their strong motors can be too difficult to control for a beginner. So, make sure that you start your training by one of the entry-level machines before moving on to the more professional ones.
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