which belt sander to buy

I'm glad to see you posted this. I was just coming to the news group to ask the same question. My Craftsman burnt up (won't get another one of those) and I was just looking at the Porter Cable. I would appreciate the knowledge and advice of the group for brand and model. I'll use it for projects around the house; nothing too large. Price under $200.00 preferably. Thanks in advance. Randy

I recommend the Porter-Cable 3 x 21 vs with dust bag. I have six units here at the school and we have put them through their paces. I have not had any service problems and I like the balance and the performance of the units.

Mike

Dica wrote: ....

I have no suggestions at that price point, I think. My old B&D died finally after 30 yrs and I have found no really satisfactory 3x24 replacement. I finally bought a Makita (sorry, can't tell you the model number ottomh). It's ok, but the balance, while not real bad, isn't as good as the motor-between-the-wheels B&D and despite representations by the vendor to the contrary, it's one of the 4" models cut down to be a

If it were 3x24 instead of 3x21, I would probably have tried one of the

At that price point, "good" and "belt sander" are mutually exclusive terms.

After destroying at least 6 belt sanders within 18 months, you name the brand, I destroyed it including the cheap Porter-Cable units, I will offer the following:

If you truly need a belt sander, there is only one, the Porter Cable 5** series. (Model depends on whether you want dust bag)

Every thing else will fail before the 5** is getting warmed up.

Cost these days is about $450 USD.

Lew

Ryobi 3x21. Had it for about 10(?) years. Been dropped, thrown, had paint spilled on it, had stuff dropped on it. Keeps on truckin'. Variable speed and dust bag. Easy to handle. Easy to clamp to the Workmate. 'Course, this assumes they haven't cheapened them up lately.

I have had a Ryobi for several years and love it. It seems to be what you are looking for. It is compact, easy to handle, and belt tracking is easily adjustable. I have used belt sanders that cost more than twice what this one does and have been disppointed. Bosch makes one that looks identical to the Ryobi.

Dick Durbin

I appreciate all the information thus far. Any recommendations on a model Number. I know that most brands have good and bad models/types of sanders. Thanks again, Randy.

I bought a refurbished royobi at a travling truck sale. Got it pretty cheap. Its surprisingly pretty well built. I like the fact that it lays flat, upside down. it 3x21, has dust bag, vari speed.

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Far too big/heavy for what I would want....as noted, my B&D 3x24 lasted

I expect the Makita to last quite some time, it's just "clunky" in comparison to the B&D design...and, as noted before, all the P-C models are of a design I just would not find comfortable to use.

YMMV, IMO, $0.02, etc., ... :)

Definitly the Ryobi. I have the 3x18, less than 2 years old, but the

The Ryobi is a BE321.

I've been plenty happy with my DeWalt DW433.

Barry

I've been using an Elu 3x21 belt sander for a little over ten years and it's still going strong. The model is exactly like the DeWalt DW431. I've replaced the dust bag twice with ones from DeWalt.

Max D.

FWIW, wish B&D would reissue that motor between the wheels design of 30 years ago. Of course then their tools where being made for the professional, not the homeowner, and I can understand why it lasted so long.

To Porter Cable's credit, they have continue to make, or reissue, their best. Come to think of it maybe there is a 5* in my future. The Bosch 2x24 I bought to replace an old Makita can't get the job done without forever twiddling with the belt.

ray

If you need a serious piece of equipment, the P-C 50* has no equal.

I call it the "cho-choo". Looks like the American Flyer model train of years gone by.

Just make sure you blow out the crap on a regular basis.

Lew

Just what do you use it for?

I use it as an abrasive cutting and forming tool.

Equipped with 24 grit belts, it gets the job done.

I'm building a fiberglass boat so in addition to wood (ie: clean up dirty wood before machining with other tools), it also gets used om fiberglass and fairing compound which is very abrasive.

Lew

Lew Hodgett wrote:

"I use it as an abrasive cutting and forming tool."

That's what Maloof used them for.

best wishes,

ray

For such that would make some sense...not my thing so I understand the difference in choice...