Best belt sander. Mine has gone to the great power tool beyond

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docmirror

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I use the heck out of my hand held belt sander. I have a 3"x21" Craftsman that lasted for >20 years. It's making a noise, and starting to smell of hot lacquer when I use it now, so time to give it a break and replace it.

I do a lot of ext wood work reno, and having a good belt sander is pretty important. If you have actual experience with one of the vendors with long term use, gimme your take on what to get.

I was planning on the Bosch as my recip saw is Bosch, and it's been flawless, but these folks like the PC.

http://www.rockler.com/how-to/find-3x21-portable-belt-sander-top-belt-sander-review/

I have a PC nailer and it's fine.
 
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Bosch and Porter Cable are the ones I typically use. One of the PC ones that I use has been in that same shop since I was a kid and sees a lot of use. It gets some new parts every now and again for a few bucks, (cords, brushes, bearings and switches are cheap and readily available still for a 40 year old unit) and I suspect the same may be true of your Craftsman unit.
 
I bought a Miketa 4X24, about 20 years ago still works great.
 
I've been using the same AEG that I bought 25+ years ago.
 
Tom-D said:
I bought a Miketa 4X24, about 20 years ago still works great.
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There's a low profile, and a more upright version. Model 9403, and 9404. I've been thinking of upgrading to the 4x24" but the weight seems to be prohibitive. The bigger one is 13Lbs and that's a lot to handle for a couple hours sanding vertical. The low profile is 10Lbs which is about what my old Craftsman 3x21.

If I were just doing cabinetry, or sanding horz I could do the weight but I have it up on walls and door frames a fair amount, and lifting that thing is going to get old fast.
 
back in high school shop class, the Milwaukee's had the best shape handle to balance your butt on, and they also has the most torque for racing
 
Two complaints about the PC style and left handed. The dust port blows right up into your face if you handle it lefty, so that's out.
 
docmirror said:
I use the heck out of my hand held belt sander. I have a 3"x21" Craftsman that lasted for >20 years. It's making a noise, and starting to smell of hot lacquer when I use it now, so time to give it a break and replace it.

I do a lot of ext wood work reno, and having a good belt sander is pretty important. If you have actual experience with one of the vendors with long term use, gimme your take on what to get.

I was planning on the Bosch as my recip saw is Bosch, and it's been flawless, but these folks like the PC.

http://www.rockler.com/how-to/find-3x21-portable-belt-sander-top-belt-sander-review/


I have a PC nailer and it's fine.
Click to expand...

I have a Craftsman that's even older than yours. When the motor started to go I took it to a local electric motor repair shop. They rewound it and it's as good as new.
 
Shepherd said:
I have a Craftsman that's even older than yours. When the motor started to go I took it to a local electric motor repair shop. They rewound it and it's as good as new.
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Well, the rear drive roller is also wobbling a little side to side, the tracking adj is pretty worn, and it sounds like some other bearings are headed for the city. I'm guessing I could have it rewound, and see if I can repl the bearings but gosh, it gets to a point where things are just shot.
 
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