If you like to sand, you’re part of a minority. It’s time-consuming, tedious and, let’s face it, absolutely unexciting sometimes. However, if you skip the sanding job you’re more than likely to end up disappointed when the job is finished- and then all the real hard work goes completely unnoticed.
Fortunately, power tool manufacturers have come to the rescue with a range of power tools engineered to abrade wood, metal and laminate fast and effortlessly. And the undisputed champion for fast stock removal and fine finishing is the best belt sander.
The belt sander is a workhorse. Faced with a challenging job that would be quite tedious physically, a sander will really grind its way through the job easily. In fact, once you use one, you will start wondering how you managed to come so far without using one.
If you have never touched a belt sanding tool once, be sure you spend enough to familiarize yourself with it when you first get hold of one. Since it is heavier, larger and livelier than a drill-disc or pad sander combination, it does take some getting used to. Also, changing belts, hefting, adjusting belt tracking as well as the pull as the belt gnaws at the work piece will all be fairly new to a beginner like you. To gain the all-important experience, try to use this tool on various materials: metals, soft woods, hard words, plastic sheets, laminated sheets and any others that you are used to work with.
It sands using a continuous belt that rides between a couple or maybe three pulleys. A drive pulley drives the belt and the idler pulleys guide it. Most models have an adjustment feature that automatically maintains the belt in the centre of the pulley during operation to eliminate belts that wander off the pulleys.
Ideal for a moving material, this sander can remove material aggressively and rapidly. If that is what you need to do, this is the sander for you.
It sands using a continuous belt that rides between a couple or maybe three pulleys. A drive pulley drives the belt and the idler pulleys guide it. Most models have an adjustment feature that automatically maintains the belt in the centre of the pulley during operation to eliminate belts that wander off the pulleys.
Ideal for a moving material, this sander can remove material aggressively and rapidly. If that is what you need to do, this is the sander for you.
Makita has equipped this 3” x 21” sander with one feature that all makers would do well to notice- an 84 db noise level measured at top speed. Other than that, however, we actually have a basic, variable speed, transverse motor belt sander.
The higher amped motor of this tool could help you get your jobs done a wee bit quicker. This is certainly a great advantage as far as reducing fatigue, as well as adding to its life. With a variable speed setting range of 690- to 1440 feet per minute (fpm), this tool offers allows you to match its speed to the application.
Makita 9903 has a large knob for tracking. This sander has loads of power for a tool its size, and the vacuum bag really sucks up a lot of dust without peppering it all over the workspace. This is a reliable and versatile sander.
Makita has equipped this 3” x 21” sander with one feature that all makers would do well to notice- an 84 db noise level measured at top speed. Other than that, however, we actually have a basic, variable speed, transverse motor belt sander.
The higher amped motor of this tool could help you get your jobs done a wee bit quicker. This is certainly a great advantage as far as reducing fatigue, as well as adding to its life. With a variable speed setting range of 690- to 1440 feet per minute (fpm), this tool offers allows you to match its speed to the application.
Makita 9903 has a large knob for tracking. This sander has loads of power for a tool its size, and the vacuum bag really sucks up a lot of dust without peppering it all over the workspace. This is a reliable and versatile sander.
Belt sanders can be broadly categorized into two. They are
An in-line sander is characterized by a low profile design with boxlike housing that has a low center of gravity. It also means that the tool is least likely to tip no matter whether you are removing nicks and scratches or flattening panels. On this type of sander, the motor is actually set parallel to the length of the sanding belt. A perpendicular gear drive cuts down motor speed, and power is fed to the drive roller through a sander belt. Irrespective of motor orientation, most sanders utilize a front roller made of metal and a drive roller made of rubber that prevents the belt from slipping. Other features common to all sanders are a platen that supports the sanding area and a belt release lever. A flat top means you can use it upside down on a workbench as a compact stationary sander. This design is usually confined to the small, light and medium duty machines.
An in-line sander is characterized by a low profile design with boxlike housing that has a low center of gravity. It also means that the tool is least likely to tip no matter whether you are removing nicks and scratches or flattening panels. On this type of sander, the motor is actually set parallel to the length of the sanding belt. A perpendicular gear drive cuts down motor speed, and power is fed to the drive roller through a sander belt. Irrespective of motor orientation, most sanders utilize a front roller made of metal and a drive roller made of rubber that prevents the belt from slipping. Other features common to all sanders are a platen that supports the sanding area and a belt release lever. A flat top means you can use it upside down on a workbench as a compact stationary sander. This design is usually confined to the small, light and medium duty machines.
The good belt sander is handy for all types of DIY work. If you are in a need to grind something down real quick while fitting some carpentry work or building a deck, the belt sanding tool might be the way to go. In addition to several on-the-job applications, a sander can also be fitted with clamps for special uses like a power sander (bench type). When clamped on its side, the sander can be utilized for planing jobs.
Wood– For accurate finishing of cabinetry or furniture, make use of as many finer grits as possible. The main goal here is to get rid of any coarse marks left by the coarser belt that preceded the one in use.
Metal– Tallow or Beeswax are recommended for use as lubricants for polishing, sanding or removing stains from metals. There are several commercial lubricants available for metal sanding.
Refinishing– When removing lacquer or varnish, paint, use an open coat type belt to strip off the layers initially. Then change it to closed coat type belts as the material show through the coating. Use light, short strokes for long lasting belt life and to avoid burning the coating.
An in-line sander is characterized by a low profile design with boxlike housing that has a low center of gravity. It also means that the tool is least likely to tip no matter whether you are removing nicks and scratches or flattening panels. On this type of sander, the motor is actually set parallel to the length of the sanding belt. A perpendicular gear drive cuts down motor speed, and power is fed to the drive roller through a sander belt. Irrespective of motor orientation, most sanders utilize a front roller made of metal and a drive roller made of rubber that prevents the belt from slipping. Other features common to all sanders are a platen that supports the sanding area and a belt release lever. A flat top means you can use it upside down on a workbench as a compact stationary sander. This design is usually confined to the small, light and medium duty machines.
Belt sanders are excellent machines and they don’t vary greatly from one model to another as much as other power tools. Nevertheless, make sure you consider belt sander reviews to buy a sanding tool that meets your requirement and offers ultimate comfort. More importantly, buy a first rate tool you can afford and it will give several years of exceptional service.
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So there you have it. Now you have a grasp of what a belt sander is, you have the confidence to take on any DIY project that requires sanding. And everything will go smoothly because you know how to how to choose the right belt sander for the application. In the end, your reward will be a flawless finish that you will admire for years to come.
Best Belt Sander Reviews
Waylon Carpenter
Genesis GBS321A Best Budget Belt Sander
$125.50 $145.00
Genesis GBS321A Best Budget Belt Sander
$125.50 $145.00
Genesis GBS321A Best Budget Belt Sander
$125.50 $145.00
Genesis GBS321A Best Budget Belt Sander
$125.50 $145.00
Genesis GBS321A Best Budget Belt Sander
$125.50 $145.00
Genesis GBS321A Best Budget Belt Sander
$125.50 $145.00
Genesis GBS321A Best Budget Belt Sander
$125.50 $145.00
Genesis GBS321A Best Budget Belt Sander
$125.50 $145.00
September 20, 2015 at 12:10 am
Cras sit amet nibh libero, in gravida nulla. Nulla vel metus scelerisque ante sollicitudin. Cras purus odio, vestibulum in vulputate at, tempus viverra turpis. Fusce condimentum nunc ac nisi vulputate fringilla. Donec lacinia congue felis in faucibus.
September 20, 2015 at 12:10 am
Cras sit amet nibh libero, in gravida nulla. Nulla vel metus scelerisque ante sollicitudin. Cras purus odio, vestibulum in vulputate at, tempus viverra turpis. Fusce condimentum nunc ac nisi vulputate fringilla. Donec lacinia congue felis in faucibus.
September 20, 2015 at 12:10 am
Cras sit amet nibh libero, in gravida nulla. Nulla vel metus scelerisque ante sollicitudin. Cras purus odio, vestibulum in vulputate at, tempus viverra turpis. Fusce condimentum nunc ac nisi vulputate fringilla. Donec lacinia congue felis in faucibus.
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