Belt/Disk Sander

[TripleJScroller]

Hello everyone,

 

I'm considering purchasing a new stationary belt/disk sander and I'm just curious if anyone has any suggestions/recommendations.  I have about $150 that I can spend.

 

Thanks,

 

Josh

[browders]

I bought a Ridgid from Home Depot after reading good reviews. It's worked very well for me. It's a little more expensive, $199.00 but has been well worth it.

 

Jim

[Dan]

I have a 4" but will upgrade to a 6" next time. If you can find a 6" in your price range that's what I would get. There are a lot of good brands out there. I haven't heard of bad ones yet.

[TripleJScroller]

I was originally going to get the Harbor Freight one since I could get it for about $60, but the reviews sort of scared me off.  Lowe's sells the Skill for $120, but again the reviews are a bit mixed.  I could probably spend $200 if I'm really nice to the wife on Valentines day this weekend...lol

[Doug]

Get this if you can fit it in your budget

 

http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-Oscillating-Edge-Belt-Spindle-Sander-EB4424/100061671

 

as shown on UTube

 

 

Unless there is a compelling reason for a stationary belt, my preference runs for the oscillating both for belt and drum sander.

[Sparkey]

I have the same Rigid sander that Doug posted. I am very happy with it. It has a lifetime warranty on everything including the motor.

[rjR]

I have an expensive Jet 6 by 48 and have abused it for about 5 years now; works great. It also has a side flat round sander of 9" diameter.  It was an in-store display model for $400. Had some scratches etc.

 

The Ridgid suggested sure looks good to me; but check on belt availability!

 

I do like the conversion of it and the warranty are both excellent features!

[Scrappile]

My advice would be get one with a minimum of a 9" disk but larger if you can.  I have the Ridgid and it works well for me but there is no disk sander with it. I also have  a HF 12" disk sander that is a noisy beast, but it does it's job.  I use it quite a bit. 

[TripleJScroller]

I'm really liking that Ridgid, thought like Scrappile says there is no disk.  Do you guys that have it miss the disk sander or do you have a separate disk sander?  I better get to buttering up the Wife if I'm going to bring one of these home.....lol.   Thanks for all the advice so far guys.

 

Josh

[Kepy]

I have a Delta 6x48 belt sander.  Have found that the belts last a lot longer than the 4" I had before.  I also use it for holding delicate pieces in place while I use a ROS.

[Doug]

Josh

 

It really depends on what are you think you might be doing with it.  I initially hesitated on Ridgid from my attitude that one tool doing two jobs may not do either one well.   After reading many reviews and comments on this site and others, I went with the Ridgid and have no regrets and it occupies only one footprint in my shop rather than two.  As mentioned I do like the action of the oscillating sander.  There is no problem with belts as they are standard size.  If you need something with a bigger belt or do no want oscillating then the Ridgid is not for you.

 

For my use, when I need a disc sander I just have a palm sander which uses 8 hole five inch discs,  The disc sander is also oscillating.or more appropriately random orbit when talking about a disc sander.  For what I do the five inch is fine and the 9 or 12 inch disc sander would be much larger than I need but, again, it all depends on what you are planning to do with it.

 

Most important thing is to get something that fits what you want to do with it so hopefully there will not be buyer's remorse.

Edited February 12, 2016 by Doug

[heppnerguy]

Hello everyone,

 

I'm considering purchasing a new stationary belt/disk sander and I'm just curious if anyone has any suggestions/recommendations.  I have about $150 that I can spend.

 

Thanks,

 

Josh

 

I researched for this item and of all the ones under $200 there was only one that I would consider and that is the Porter Cable 5 amp belt sander. I was given a combination belt/disc sander from Harbor Freight and after two uses, I gave it back. That one is driven by a useless leather belt and has no power to do much. It also is very noisy. Lowes carries the Porter Cable one that has great reports on it. It seems to have plenty of power and looks to be made very well. For me, I am saving up for that one.  Good luck in your quest . Let us know what you decide on.

 

Dick

heppnerguy

[Falcon]

Josh I bought one of the HF sanders. They are under powered but for all I do have absolutely no complaints about it and it is only $60.

[WayneMahler]

I have the one from Home Depot. Love it. The one before was a ryobi and inside a year the motor went bad. Shame on me for not registering the warranty, but I was not happy with it.

[Ron Johnson]

I have a Delta 1" belt, 5" disc sander I had purchased several years ago for $60.00. For my purpose it's been great, highly rated and still available at a higher price of course. Love the footprint. For larger items I clamp my belt sander to the workbench. I also use my drill press as a drum sander. Being my work shop is only 12 x 8 space is limited to size of equipment I can use. So each person has to consider purpose, budget and space available. Good luck with your final decision Josh.

[GrampaJim]

Just a cheap off brand one here, Its second hand that originally came from Menards.  Works well for me.  After a drill press, a sander is the next most used machine for a scroller like me.

Jim

[tvman44]

I would recommend looking for a good used 6" belt with 9" disc.  I have a Craftsman I bought new about 25 years ago for abt. $300.00 or $350.00.

[kywoodmaster]

I have an old 6" Craftsman but I really like the looks of that one.

[Jim Finn]

My most used equipment in my shop is my stationary belt/disc sander.  I spend more time using it than any other tool.  I have two of them that I got from Harbor freight for under $200 each.  They are 6"x 48" belt sanders with a nine inch disc.  I do not use the disc at all.  In fact I did not even install it.  These sanders are belt drivin by an induction motor with more than enough power.  The belt tracks well.  I have them set up in the vertical position and stand at them while using them.  I made a dust collection "hood" to fit them.  This "hood" was tricky to build but I did get it made so that changing out the belt is pretty easy.  My dust collector works well with this tool.  I am not a big fan of Harbor Freight equipment, but these tools work well for me.

[Clayton717]

I have the rigid that is posted. I have a separate disc sander but find I don't use it much besides sharpening my cheaper lathe tools with it. I do however use the Rigid a lot, both the belt and the drums.

[tonylumps]

I just bought a WEN 4X36 from amazon.For what i need it works perfect.It is cast iron base Pretty heavy,But still able to lift it .Sanding belts are reasonable and easy to change.I also bought a spare toothed drive belt for insurance .Amazon has them and are cheap enough.The only problem I had was the plastic knob that holds the side table on, Could not get it tite enough. So I replace it with a socket head bolt.It was a little loud with the 80 grit belt that came with it,but it did quiet down with the 120 and 220 grit.

[ike]

I have a HF it's OK but does lack some power, I get by with it,

[ike]

I have a HF it's does what It should do but it is under powered I have been thinking about getting a replacement. the HF doesn't have much power.

[ChelCass]

I have a Ryobi belt/disc sander and a rigid spindle sander.  I use my belt/disc sander the most.  I like it's smaller size as I can fit it just about anywhere and the belts are very easy to replace.  It does a good job of sanding and was a reasonable price.  I saw one on e-bay for 120.00, check Craigslist and see what they have.