First off, I've been getting by for quite a while without a belt sander, so
I don't have any practical experience owning a belt sander to know what
features I like or not. I was in HD today and noticed they have the Makita
9910X belt sander on sale for $59. I'm curious if anyone has an opinion
from personal use or by looking a the specs
(http://www.makita.com/menu.php?pg=product_det&tag=9910). They also had the
Porter-Cable 352VS for $99. The Makita is a 3"x18" single speed and the P-C
is 3"x21" variable speed. Both have dust collection. Any insight is
appreciated.

todd

"todd" wrote

Porter-Cable 352VS for $99. The Makita is a 3"x18" single speed and the
P-C
is 3"x21" variable speed. Both have dust collection. Any insight is
appreciated.

It really depends upon what your need is.

If don't have an overriding specific need and just want to have a belt
sander around for the odd job on face frames, leveling panel glue-ups,
scribing, etc, the Porter Cable 371K is the one I would choose.

http://www.deltaportercable.com/Prod...roductID=15062

I personally like smallness/portability/ability to use one handed/or clamp
it in a vise ... IME, it will do everything the big boys do and it really
excels at scribing face frames to walls, etc.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 12/14/07
KarlC@ (the obvious)

I bought my Makita 3x18 2 years ago on ebay.
It was a refurbished model for $49. Its small and
light weight and kicks ass. The belt stays in one place.
The dust bag actually works (compared to my craftsman)
and with a few wraps of tape, my vacumn attatches quite
nicely. I haven't used the craftsman since.
Lou

Lou wrote:
I bought my Makita 3x18 2 years ago on ebay.
It was a refurbished model for $49. Its small ...

Is it really a 3" wide model including the housing or a 4" unit w/ 3"
rollers?

I bought a 3x24 and was sorely disappointed in it was the latter as
appeared to be all 3x24's currently available afaict. I really miss the
_old_ B&D w/ the between-the-rollers motor that made them very well
balanced w/ low cog. Unfortunately, the drive gear was a weak point and
parts are no longer available.

That complaint/question would be my comment to OP on any he looks
at--having a 3" roller in a machine made for 4" is an abomination.
Maybe the 18" guys, being smaller weren't cut down in the same fashion.

I'd seriously look at the new 3-roller B&D if it there were a 24" model
of it but I'm loaded up on 3x24 and not going to have to stock multiple
belt sizes...

--

dpb wrote:
Lou wrote:
I bought my Makita 3x18 2 years ago on ebay.
It was a refurbished model for $49. Its small ...

Is it really a 3" wide model including the housing or a 4" unit w/ 3"
rollers?

I bought a 3x24 and was sorely disappointed in it was the latter as
appeared to be all 3x24's currently available afaict. ...

The one I'm complaining of is Makita but otomh I couldn't say model
number. One reason I chose it (w/o benefit of having local distributors
to check, unfortunately) was the lower profile--I personally detest the
P-C "high-hat" model as being terribly poorly balanced. In that regard
this is ok, tracks well, the V-S is ok, but not a real major benefit at
least as I use a bs. Dust collection is pretty decent w/ the bagger;
I've never tried vacuum as the trouble of messing w/ it and the hose in
the way is more far more of a pita than any possible benefit imo. I do
find the longer cord useful yet for some reason it is _always_ getting
in the way--a little stiffer cord would probably make it less
susceptible to being underfoot and getting caught up by the belt as
frequently as this one seems to...

--

On Jan 1, 9:41 pm, dpb wrote:
dpb wrote:

I have an older SEARS 3x24. I would it had a variable speed as I can
recall situations in wich slower sanding would have made a job easier
to "do right."

I am intrigued by the new "sled" profile models with a big rear
"wheel" and a small "front wheel" - has anyone bought one of these as
a replacement and found it a good/bad decision?

PS: Size Matters. I bought the Sears 12" Band Saw without
understnading that it used a non-standard blade. Several nice-sounding
blade saw descriptions left my mouth watering and my hands empty. With
the Belt Sander, the issue was both better availability and more
reasonably-priced belts with a "standard size device. Sears has taught
me to look to available accessories before committing to a product -
anyone want a 12" tilting-head band saw?.

Steve wrote:
"todd" wrote on 01 Jan 2008 in group
rec.woodworking:

....

Since I use mine mostly at job sites, my requirements a

* a flat top so it will lie on the ground upside down
* a locking trigger so I can use it while it's upside down on the
ground

....
I have a Makita 3 x 21 that I love: paper tracks perfectly every time
over the couple years I've had it.
I often turn it upside down and clamp it to the table saw top or
bench top to use it for small pieces; works great. Nice, flat top. I'd
add to that list above, for the shop:
* variable speed; great for when you can't avoid sanding something with
a finish still present.
* decent sized dust bag, else you're emptying it every few minutes with
rough work.
* 2 Hand operation is convenient and comfortable to you. Can be a big
problem sometimes, especially if you're left handed.
* Check that the belt size you'll need is readily available. 3 x 21 is
pretty common but if you end up with a 3.6" x 22.375" (making that up of
course), paper will not only be hard to find but expensive. I had a 4 x
24 sander once that I loved too, but it eventually for some reason I was
never able to fix, started to mistrack and after a couple years wouldn't
hold a track for more than a few minutes at a time.

I've seen some good looking DeWalts that actually might be better than
mine from a bench-use perspective, but no experience otherwise. Front
handle/body set perfectly flat on a surface; much easier to clamp.

Personal opinion: Don't put them in a vice. I know many do, but it's
easy for the novice to crack the housing or damage something on it; I've
seen it happen. Another guy I know got his shirt bottom caught in the
belt and it gave him a really nice belly-burn until he could get to the
release switch to stop it. Of course, by that time it'd stopped turning
and was just heating upg.

My 2 ¢

Pop`

Hoosierpopi wrote:
On Jan 1, 9:41 pm, dpb wrote:
dpb wrote:

I have an older SEARS 3x24. I would it had a variable speed as I can
recall situations in wich slower sanding would have made a job easier
to "do right."

I am intrigued by the new "sled" profile models with a big rear
"wheel" and a small "front wheel" - has anyone bought one of these as
a replacement and found it a good/bad decision?

PS: Size Matters. I bought the Sears 12" Band Saw without
understnading that it used a non-standard blade. Several nice-sounding
blade saw descriptions left my mouth watering and my hands empty. With
the Belt Sander, the issue was both better availability and more
reasonably-priced belts with a "standard size device. Sears has taught
me to look to available accessories before committing to a product -
anyone want a 12" tilting-head band saw?.

I don't see the size itself as a problem w/ either -- you can have any
bandsaw blade made to length from any number of online sources at little
to no significant additional cost.

Similarly for belts -- I've seen no belt sander that Klingspor doesn't
have a "bargain box" of belts for -- my point was having a 3x24, I don't
want to switch for two reasons--first, it is a good compromise between
small and large being adequately large for everything _I_ want a belt
sander for yet not excessively large (heavy). Second, having it, I do
not want to have to keep two sizes of belts on hand simply owing to
switching to another sander.

I'm not sure what you're referring to as a "sled" profile--I mentioned
earlier the three-wheel version B&D has introduced and would seriously
consider it if it were 3x24 instead of 21. If that's what you're
meaning, I've not gotten farther than that level of consideration owing
to item (2) above.

--

Hoosierpopi wrote:
On Jan 1, 9:41 pm, dpb wrote:
dpb wrote:

I have an older SEARS 3x24. I would it had a variable speed as I can
recall situations in wich slower sanding would have made a job easier
to "do right."

I am intrigued by the new "sled" profile models with a big rear
"wheel" and a small "front wheel" - has anyone bought one of these as
a replacement and found it a good/bad decision?

PS: Size Matters. I bought the Sears 12" Band Saw without
understnading that it used a non-standard blade. Several nice-sounding
blade saw descriptions left my mouth watering and my hands empty. With
the Belt Sander, the issue was both better availability and more
reasonably-priced belts with a "standard size device. Sears has taught
me to look to available accessories before committing to a product -
anyone want a 12" tilting-head band saw?.

What size is the blade?

On Jan 1, 3:32*pm, "todd" wrote:
First off, I've been getting by for quite a while without a belt sander, so
I don't have any practical experience owning a belt sander to know what
features I like or not. *I was in HD today and noticed they have the Makita
9910X belt sander on sale for $59. *I'm curious if anyone has an opinion
from personal use or by looking a the specs
(http://www.makita.com/menu.php?pg=product_det&tag=9910). *They also had the
Porter-Cable 352VS for $99. *The Makita is a 3"x18" single speed and the P-C
is 3"x21" variable speed. *Both have dust collection. *Any insight is
appreciated.

I use a lot of sanders in a pretty nasty environment (solid surface)
I used to swear by the PC's from a long time ago and have seen them go
down in reliability. To be frank, the 3 x 21 now suck canalwater.
Before that, I used 4 x 24 Milwaukees, but I'm not that tough anymore
G Man those were more like floor sanders. Incredibly tough, but
expensive.
I switched over to Makita 3x24 and haven't had a problem. I have had
to replace the pressure pads(platens) but considering the amount of
use (read: abuse) that is hardly a point worth mentioning.

I will buy more Makitas in the future. (Everybody has their niche
tools.)

Years ago, I had a 3 x 21 Bosch, in-line, which was green. Green Bosch
and blue Bosch. Mine was green and a lot cheaper. It looked an awful
lot like today's Ryobi. I loved the feel and agility of the thing, but
it **** the bed rather quickly.

r

dpb wrote:
Hoosierpopi wrote:
On Jan 1, 9:41 pm, dpb wrote:
dpb wrote:

I have an older SEARS 3x24. I would it had a variable speed as I
can
recall situations in wich slower sanding would have made a job
easier
to "do right."

I am intrigued by the new "sled" profile models with a big rear
"wheel" and a small "front wheel" - has anyone bought one of these
as
a replacement and found it a good/bad decision?

PS: Size Matters. I bought the Sears 12" Band Saw without
understnading that it used a non-standard blade. Several
nice-sounding blade saw descriptions left my mouth watering and my
hands empty. With the Belt Sander, the issue was both better
availability and more reasonably-priced belts with a "standard size
device. Sears has taught me to look to available accessories before
committing to a product - anyone want a 12" tilting-head band saw?.

I don't see the size itself as a problem w/ either -- you can have
any
bandsaw blade made to length from any number of online sources at
little to no significant additional cost.

Similarly for belts -- I've seen no belt sander that Klingspor
doesn't
have a "bargain box" of belts for -- my point was having a 3x24, I
don't want to switch for two reasons--first, it is a good compromise
between small and large being adequately large for everything _I_
want a belt sander for yet not excessively large (heavy). Second,
having it, I do not want to have to keep two sizes of belts on hand
simply owing to switching to another sander.

I'm not sure what you're referring to as a "sled" profile--I
mentioned
earlier the three-wheel version B&D has introduced and would
seriously
consider it if it were 3x24 instead of 21. If that's what you're
meaning, I've not gotten farther than that level of consideration
owing to item (2) above.

Two examples.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1... Name=Sanders

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1... Name=Sanders

--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

J. Clarke wrote:
....

Two examples.
....

I'd not even consider that for the way I use one.

What's the purpose?

--

"Robatoy" wrote

Years ago, I had a 3 x 21 Bosch, in-line, which was green. Green Bosch
and blue Bosch. Mine was green and a lot cheaper. It looked an awful
lot like today's Ryobi. I loved the feel and agility of the thing, but
it **** the bed rather quickly.

Not that they don' exist here, but I've yet to see a green Bosch in the US
myself, but that was about all they had the last time I was in the UK
looking at tools.

My SIL in Sheffield, UK thinks of Bosch like we do of Home Depot crap, but
he'd never seen a blue Bosch till he visited here a few years back.

I'd be forced to conclude that there is a big difference in quality between
the blue and green Bosch lines?


--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 12/14/07
KarlC@ (the obvious)

On Jan 2, 3:46*pm, "Swingman" wrote:
"Robatoy" wrote

Years ago, I had a 3 x 21 Bosch, in-line, which was green. Green Bosch
and blue Bosch. Mine was green and a lot cheaper. It looked an awful
lot like today's Ryobi. I loved the feel and agility of the thing, but
it **** the bed rather quickly.

Not that they don' exist here, but I've yet to see a green Bosch in the US
myself, but that was about all they had the last time I was in the UK
looking at tools.

My SIL in Sheffield, UK thinks of Bosch like we do of Home Depot crap, but
he'd never seen a blue Bosch till he visited here a few years back.

I'd be forced to conclude that there is a big difference in quality between
the blue and green Bosch lines?

At a woodworking show someone from a distributor mentioned that is was
as big a difference as bushings vs bearings and plastic vs metal
gearing.
The green one did not last. They had the ergonomics (for me at least)
right. It was, however, Swiss made.
r

dpb wrote:
J. Clarke wrote:
...

Two examples.
...

I'd not even consider that for the way I use one.

What's the purpose?

I have no idea. Supposedly they can get into "hard to reach areas".
I can't imagine any such hard to reach areas that one would want to go
after with a belt sander but to each his own.

--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)