I recently purchased a Bosch 4″ x 24″ belt sander from the Tool Crib. I must admit that I did not examine the tool before I bought one because I have owned other Bozch tools in the past and they have always been very satisfactory. I am right-handed and so would use the sander by pulling the trigger with my right index finger. On first use I noticed that the dust collection bag was next to my belly and, with extended use, got quite hot. This was not very comfortable for my tender gut. But the worst feature, I found, was that, with the slightest provacation, the sander tipped toward me leaving a sizeable groove in the work. My first thought was that this sander was designed for left-handed use. I e-mailed my thoughts to the company (Bosch) who promised to get back to me in two days. After one month I have received no reply from them. Has any one out there had similar experiences? Bun
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Replies
I bought a 4 X 24 Bosch belt sander in the early 90's, and except for wearing out a few sole plates, it's been a beast. I'm left-handed, but I find I'm always switching hands due to fatigue. The dust bag on mine is fairly effective, but it can get pretty warm. Once I was sanding a deck when it was 95+ degrees, and I had 2nd degree burns (blisters) on the back of my left hand; I hate it when that happens...
Belt sanders, especially larger one like a 4 X 24, are pretty powerful, and you need to keep both hands on them. I've never had any problems with it tilting to one side and sanding a gouge into the wood, at least nothing I can blame the sander for.
How are you using this if the bag is near your belly? How big is your belly? On second thought, maybe we don't want to know...
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