Recommendations for 3×24 belt sander?
dpbozarth | Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on
My old B&D belt sanders have finally bit the dust (so to speak) :). Gears worn to point of not meshing and spare parts no longer are available. (Since B&D told me they stopped production 3/79, I guess that’s not <too> surprising–disappointing, but…).
Anyway, I’m looking for a well balanced, not too heavy replacement and have, so far, been sadly disappointed with what I’ve found. The B&D had motor mounted between rollers so it was compact, well balanced, and reasonably light, yet aggresive enough. I’ve only seen one Bosch and a new DeWalt that appear of this design and they are both 3×21 instead of the longer 24. Anybody have any other recommendations (or, just as important, dogs)?
Replies
With absolutely no disrespect intended, I'd suggest you post this question over at Fine Homebuilding's Breaktime forum, as belt sanders are commonly used in the construction trades.
In contrast, none of the fine woodworkers I know routinely use a belt sander. I still have mine, and use it mainly for on-site installations and extremely rough work, but haven't taken it out of it case to use in furniture or instrument making in years.
Were I in the market for a new one, I'd be looking at the equipment reviews in the pages of Fine Homebuilding, Journal of Light Construction, etc.
Good luck with your search.
-Jazzdogg-
Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.
When you want to post that kind of suggestion without giving the impression you're hurrying somebody out the door, consider phrasing it in terms of "Also post this at Breaktime. Those goes also use belt sanders." No need for any apology at all, you're just pointing to an additional resource.
Edited 3/7/2004 10:14 pm ET by Uncle Dunc
Interestingly my experience is just the opposite. All the high end shops in my area have belt sanders and use them periodically for quick wood removal among other uses. And furniture companies from Thos Moser to Statton have belt sanders in their shops when I visited them over the past few years.
On the other hand, few homebuilders I have visited have belt sanders. They would much rather use a hatchet, saw or large chisel and sometimes a screwdriver to remove wood.
The top dogs in belt sanders are the Porter Cable 503/504 machines and at a street price starting at $400, few builders are interested. Yet cabinet and furniture shops all around my area have the 503 or 504 - both have been made for years and their target market is furniture/casegood manufacturers.
There was a review a while back that rated Porter Cable at the top. Based on that review I bought one and it's fine - you have to make sure that the platten is flat on the one you buy. I turn it upside down and use it to shape curved parts after rough cutting on bandsaw.
I love my Porter Cable. I used it when I worked in a production custom cabinet shop and got used to it. When I went on my own I bought (Ryobi I think) and so disliked the feel and lack of power that I gave it to my dad after a while and bought the PC. It is quite a bit heavier but I like that it gives me more controll.
Brian
Hi dpbozarth ,
I have been using belt sanders since I apprenticed at a custom furniture / cabinet shop about 30 years ago. IMHO the very best money can buy is the Porter Cable model # 503 or 504 ,affectionately called a freight train belt sander. I also believe you can be a fine woodworker even if you don't build instruments. To suggest fine wood workers don't use belt sanders is not a true statement ,nor is it based on any data , I suppose that was one persons opinion, such as this post is my opinion , we all have them. The statement that fine wood workers don't use belt sanders could be construed as an insult to many of us .We use what we have and implement the methods we know and feel comfortable with. The end results are the final words. They speak for themselves , for years and years .Skill levels vary , fine wood workers are capable of producing a multitude of different projects most of them are not musical instruments , sure instruments require a very special ability and I have utmost respect for anyone that can do such work.There is no guarantee that an instrument maker can build furniture or visa versa.They can both be fine wood workers.
happy belt sanding dusty
Porter-Cable developed the original belt sanders and they carry parts for many of their machines because they are a mainstay of their product line. Unfortunately, Black & Decker (and their DeWalt line) are now targeted more to the mass consumer - you will be hard pressed to find parts for any B&D machine (and even the early DeWalt machines) over 10 years old. You are safe to invest in Milwaukee and the more traditional Porter-Cable machines because they have a deep support network and parts inventory. On my visits to production shops, I consistently see Porter-Cable belt sanders - they are basic, sturdy and you can get parts for them!
Hmmm - I didn't know woodworkers were not supposed to use belt sanders! news to me!
Anyway, I guess I've been illegally using a Porter Cable 4x24 for 25 years. Works great. Never any problems with it in that time. I personally prefer the 4" width to the 3" width. Have used both.
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood
I have a Craftsman and I does what it is supposed to do but not well. I have used the PC belt sanders and love there feel and power. As for them only being used in construction it is the first I have heard of it. I seen lots of planers but never any belt sanders in my neck of the woods.
Scott C. Frankland
Scott's WOODWORKING Website
"He who has the most tools may not win the race of life but he will sure make his wife look like a good catch when she goes to move on."
Gosh,
I saw David Marks using one (a belt sander) the other day. Guess when he grows up he'll know better.
Dale
dpbozarth
Have both Bosch and PC. If I had to give up one the Bosch would get the call. The PC is a "battle-ship", the Bosch a "heavy cruiser". I will add to your confusion by saying the Bosch is a bit easier to use upside down. That won't happen in most shop enviroments though.
Bottom line: PC for me!
sarge..jt
Proud member of the : "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I have the Bosch, a PC and an older than old all metal Stanley. The PC has been repaired even though it is used less than the other two...
Here fishy fishy....
Got an old black Rockwell here that I got when my dad passed. Now that is a battleship. Nothing stops that thing and still going strong!!
IMERC
I haven't had any mechanical problems with either. I don't run either continuosly either for that matter. I had an old Carftsman I bought around 74'. Not a problem with it either as it never gave a problem. I gave it to my BIL ( a machinest) when he got interested in WW'ing. Still cranking as an old Craftsman 1/2" drill I have.
sarge..jtProud member of the : "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I have used the PC 503 for close to 30 years,it is a great sander. You might have to replace the bronze gear inside every 15 years, the wire bag holder came loose on the two we had in the shop. I bought the Bosch 4 by 24 a couple of months ago and it compared well against the 503. The wider belt gives the sander good stability and you have a speed control also. Of course the 240 price is easier to lay out than almost 500 for the 503.
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