Belt disk sanders

[Fotios]

Hi
I'm looking to buy a new Belt disk sanders. I would like to hear what you have if you have one and how is it?
I heard that the Delta isn't the greatest do to if you put a piece of wood on the belt and it has a tendency to stop or slow down the belt. I had one I bought at a wood show. It was made in some foreign country.
So any help is deeply needed and appreciated.

[wisconsinwoodch]

Welcome. I have three Belt-disk sanders.and 1 belt sander, The belt sander is a grizzly 1x24 inch.table top paid about 49.00 It is by far the handyest. it sits right next to my assembly table. I also have a 1x42x9in. grixzzly I bought it before they came out with the 1x24 .works great I just bought a 6x30x 12 inch disk. It works great, you can stand the belt up right or lay it flat. 3/4 hp no complantes 90 Percent of my tools are grizzly very few problems and great service. :) :) :) :)
thewisconsinwoodchuck
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www.wisconsinwoodchuck.com

[K&MScrollworks]

Have to agree with woodchuck with Grizzly. I have a 6 x 48 belt with a 9 " disc and a 1 x 42 with a 8 " disc, have had no problems with either. Have to say I use the 6 x 48 more than the smaller one. I use 220 belts and 90 % of the time that is my final sand, of course depending on the project. The 6 " wide belt is a must in my opinion.

Kris

[Fotios]

First off I want to thank you for your response and help.
I was reading that it is a bit of job trying to change the disk when the time comes.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

First let me say Welcome to the site. Second before I mention any brand of tool or type of tool I like to find out what type of work you do. A 1" belt sander is good for small detail work not much more. I have one that hardly gets used. There are the basic 4" belt and 6" disc that are table top and handy to use for basically all scrolling needs. I own a Delta and the thing you need to do with the belt is tension it properly. The disc part, go to the hook and loop system and that sander will last a life time. Others that were mentioned are just some of the brands out there but all made in china or taiwain so it is a toss up. You can do a google seach and most people go to Tools Plus or Amazon.com Now if you are talking floor model then I would suggest to forgo the belt disc and go with an oscillating belt. Disc is hardly ever used. I know that is my next sander. One other important factor whatever sander you do buy make sure the sandpaper is readily available.

[Fotios]

Thanks for the info John.
I do a lot of Intarsia work plus I am looking for a bench top style. I also do fret work. But mostly intarsia. After reading some of the other comments I was thinking of also buying a 1" along with a 4". One with a disk and the other most likely the 1" without the disk.

[pops-shop]

One other important factor whatever sander you do buy make sure the sandpaper is readily available.

Amen to that one - been there, done that :confused: :( :eek: :mad:

[Gunny]

I have a 2"x42"x8" craftsman that's about 15-20 years old and it serves me well on most projects. I also have a 1" Delta with a 6inch disk and that works fine on smaller projects.
I always wanted an oscillating belt and spindle sander but they were always pricey. Then one day I was in HomeDepot and they had reduced their remaining stock of Rigids from $200 to $50 to make room for the new model (same as the old model except it was orange instead of grey). I snatched up two of them and sold one two weeks later for $100 so mine was free.
It can polish the endgrain of a pine stud so it looks like marble.
It all really depends on what you will be using it for and how much you're willing to spend. I've seen some very servicable looking ones at Harbor Freight in the $100-135 range. Just make certain that you get one that will take readily available belts.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

This topic should actually be in the tool forum and this way I would be able to paste some photos but since you started it here I just wanted to say that if you are talking about doing intarsia you may want to look into a drum sander that gets mounted on an auxilary motor or even you drill press. You may also want to look at mop sanders for this is used by alot of people that do intarsia. Just google some sites with those names and you will see what I mean.

[bronco]

J.T I also have the delta bench model disc and belt sander.Please excuse my ignorance but what is the hook and loop system? also what do you use to extend the life of your sanding belts?
Thanks,
Bill

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Bill

The Delta sander came with the sticky back sand paper for the disk. I removed that and converted to the hook and loop system. http://store.sandpaper.ca/catalogue/default.php?cPath=170&osCsid=ff8104bfba3117c58edfdd670b88a5fe. I bought a sheet of the hook stuff and just cut the shape of any sander that has the self sticky paper. Now when I buy sand paper I get the hook and loop paper. It actually is the equivalent to velcro but they call it hook and loop. These are much easier to use because you can take any grit off and reuse at a later time without ruining it as you would with the sticky back paper.

The other part of your question is how to extend the life of the snding belts is to clean them regularly with one of those rubber erasers http://www.amazon.com/Delta-31-419-Cleaning-Stick-Abrasives/dp/B00004Y9GW Also if you are not using the sander with a belt on it for a length of time it is a good idea to take the pressure off and relax the tension on them. I use the sanding eraser for all my sanding machines and especially on the drum sander and the oscilating spindl sander where the grit builds up real quickly.

[bronco]

Thanks J.T.
Bill