Thinking of buying a portable Belt Sander ..........
anybody experienced with these, just wondering which size 'belt' to go for ...

3" x 21"
3" x 24"

I'm assuming the 4" wide models are a bit hefty to handle easily.

Also a thought do manufacturers sell adapters to fit these upside down to make a static sander (linisher)

On 31/12/2012 14:55, wrote:
Thinking of buying a portable Belt Sander ..........
anybody experienced with these, just wondering which size 'belt' to go for ...

3" x 21"
3" x 24"

I'm assuming the 4" wide models are a bit hefty to handle easily.

Also a thought do manufacturers sell adapters to fit these upside down to make a static sander (linisher)

Dunno what you want it for, but belt sanders are incredibly aggressive
beasts. Take you eye off them for a second & they gouge great lumps out
of things.

--
Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

wrote in message
...
Thinking of buying a portable Belt Sander ..........
anybody experienced with these, just wondering which size 'belt' to go for
...

3" x 21"
3" x 24"

I'm assuming the 4" wide models are a bit hefty to handle easily.

Also a thought do manufacturers sell adapters to fit these upside down to
make a static sander (linisher)

Bought a B&D 3x24" years ago (prob. 30). Still in use. Also have a bench
stand for it, but it is somewhat flimsy and I rarely use it.
That little extra belt length can make a lot of difference. Have never felt
the need for a wider belt and I imagine them unwieldy.
As TMH says, they can be aggressive beasts. They are good for some purposes
but not a cure-all.
With practice and the right grade belt they can achieve good results.
For a linisher. If you have the space, use and wallet capacity, I would go
for a stand-alone. These also often include a disc sander which can be of
enormous use. They're not that expensive.
Mine has proved invaluable over the last 20 years. Again choice of belt
grade and practice are important.

HTH

Nick.

On Monday, December 31, 2012 2:55:31 PM UTC, wrote:
Thinking of buying a portable Belt Sander ..........

Hire one first. Then when you've realised how useless they are, save your money.


I've got a nice one. Makita, well made, about 25 years old. Nice bit of kit.. Still damn-near useless for any rational purpose. It comes out about once in five years, maybe for a bit of corner work in a stripped floor, or finishing off chainsaw carvings. Otherwise though, it's like a hand-held electric plane - a complicated machine for destroying the job at the last minute.

If you must get one, then get one with a frame around it. At least that reduces the risk of front roller divots.

On Monday, December 31, 2012 3:42:50 PM UTC, Andy Dingley wrote:
On Monday, December 31, 2012 2:55:31 PM UTC, wrote:

Thinking of buying a portable Belt Sander ..........



Hire one first. Then when you've realised how useless they are, save your money.





I've got a nice one. Makita, well made, about 25 years old. Nice bit of kit. Still damn-near useless for any rational purpose. It comes out about once in five years, maybe for a bit of corner work in a stripped floor, or finishing off chainsaw carvings. Otherwise though, it's like a hand-held electric plane - a complicated machine for destroying the job at the last minute.



If you must get one, then get one with a frame around it. At least that reduces the risk of front roller divots.

I'll look for a frame model

On Dec 31, 2:55*pm, wrote:
Thinking of buying a portable Belt Sander ..........
anybody experienced with these, just wondering which size 'belt' to go for ...

3" x 21"
3" x 24"

*I'm assuming the 4" wide models are a bit hefty to handle easily.

Also a thought do manufacturers sell adapters to fit these upside down to make a static sander *(linisher)

Depends on your line of work really.
I find mine really useful.
You can also get a lump of special plastic for cleaning the belts too.

"harry" wrote in message
...
On Dec 31, 2:55 pm, wrote:
Thinking of buying a portable Belt Sander ..........
anybody experienced with these, just wondering which size 'belt' to go
for ...

3" x 21"
3" x 24"

I'm assuming the 4" wide models are a bit hefty to handle easily.

Also a thought do manufacturers sell adapters to fit these upside down to
make a static sander (linisher)

Depends on your line of work really.
I find mine really useful.
You can also get a lump of special plastic for cleaning the belts too.

Or you can use a scrunched up plastic food bag, does the same job, but
slightly more chance of you taking your finger prints off.

On 31/12/2012 14:55, wrote:
Thinking of buying a portable Belt Sander ..........
anybody experienced with these, just wondering which size 'belt' to go for ...

3" x 21"
3" x 24"


Don't think it makes that much difference - the main difference being in
width...

Longer will make for a slightly longer bed and hence very slightly less
aggressive.

I'm assuming the 4" wide models are a bit hefty to handle easily.

Probably fair - but depends a bit on what you are doing. Sanding a floor
for example would better suit the larger one.

Also a thought do manufacturers sell adapters to fit these upside down to make a static sander (linisher)

Many have a flat top, which means the "adaptor" can be as simple as a clamp.

Personally I quite like mine for quick finish stripping. The key to
success being to keep it flat and moving.


--
Cheers,

John.

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In article , says...


Or you can use a scrunched up plastic food bag, does the same job, but
slightly more chance of you taking your finger prints off.

Not much use if they've got your DNA on file.

--
Sam

On Monday, December 31, 2012 2:55:31 PM UTC, wrote:
Thinking of buying a portable Belt Sander ..........

anybody experienced with these, just wondering which size 'belt' to go for ...



3" x 21"

3" x 24"



I'm assuming the 4" wide models are a bit hefty to handle easily.



Also a thought do manufacturers sell adapters to fit these upside down to make a static sander (linisher)





So a 3" x 24" is the choice then .... I keep an eye on ebay ...