3X21 BELT SANDER

[Jim Swank]

I'm in need of a decent sander in this size. Is there any consensus which make and model is the best deal?

Remove "nospam" from the email if you want to reply direct.

[patrick conroy]

I only own two Ryobi made tools: their oscillating spindle sander and their BE321 Belt Sander. Both are nice, in my estimation. FWW, IIRC did a recent review of 3x21 belt sanders. I also own a big PC 4x28 belt sander too. The Ryobi sees all of the action in my weekend activities.

[Fishn2much]

I to have the Ryobi and it has always done a good job. For the price it is hard to beat. GT

[Lobby Dosser]

Jim Swank wrote in news:ck1scv $ [e-mail]:

If you are not doing production work, the Ryobi is very good for the price. I've had mine for 7 or 8 years and have no complaints.

[Lew Hodgett]

There is only one I have not been able to destroy, the Porter-Cable 50* series.

I've destroyed at least 6 or 8 units including the low cost Porter Cable (Henry Homeowner type) crap.

The 50* is a chain drive and totally bullet proof compared to anything else in the market.

Bring a fat wallet, it is not inexpensive, but you will only buy a belt sander once.

These days, figure $450 range.

HTH

Lew

BTW, get the graphite pads for it, you won't be sorry.

[Bruce Barnett]

The Makita works well clamped in my wood vise, when I want a stationary sander.

[Prometheus]

I don't know about consensus, but I have the Delta 4" belt/6" disc combo, and it is a basically ok tool. The price was right when I got it, and the belt sander works really well. I'm not too impressed by the disc sander, but you can't have everything for $80! Might be worth looking into. If I had it to do all over again, I'd probably get the same one, since it suits my purposes, though your results may vary.

[P©WÉ®T©©LMAN]

Why 3X21?? Go with the 3X24 Makita 9924DB, it can also run a 4" belt when needed, low cost (the Volvo of belt sanders) great value for money, they have been making it virtually unchanged for years.

[toller]

A couple months ago someone was selling reconditioned Makitas on Ebay. With a little patience I was able to get one for almost nothing. He might still be there; worth a look.

A number of people recommended Ryobi. I have not tried it. I am satisfied with other Ryobi tools I own; but they are equal to Makitas; I doubt the belt sander is either.

[Slowhand]

I have a Porter Cable belt sander that is about 20 years old if that helps. SH

[Rob Jones]

I just purchased Makita's model 9902 from ToolKing

for $99.00 - brand new. It's a fixed-speed version of their variable-speed 9903 (3x21) for about half the price. I'm very happy with it. I cannot imaging ever needing variable speed on a belt sander, so for me purchasing the 9903 was over-spending.

Also, FWW magazine recently named the 9903 a "best buy" (or something like that).

rob

[Rick Cook]

Just one piece of advice. Spend the money to get a quality tool. The larger size multiples potential problems with design, quality, fit, etc.

--RC

[mp]

I second this choice. I bought one based on the advice of a cabinet shop owner who has half a dozen of them that have seen daily use for the last 7 years, with zero problems. Dust collection on the Makita is pretty good for a belt sander, and it's not as noisy as some other brands.