Sailmar
Active Member
Hello
Can you recommend a best value for a belt sander? Even in second-hand?
Thanks in advance
Pedro
Can you recommend a best value for a belt sander? Even in second-hand?
Thanks in advance
Pedro
What's the best value belt sander?
- Thread starter Sailmar
- Start date
Kurrawong_Kid
Well-Known Member
Got a perfectly usable one from MachineMart-they have shops in all the major towns.
bob26
Well-Known Member
One man's value is another's waste of money
Do you mean:
Cheapest to buy at outset?
Cheapest to run? (Are some belt sizes cheaper/longer lasting than others?)
Cheapest to buy over whole life of sander - some may be cheaper price but you might have to buy 2 or 3 to match the working life of better ones?
One that costs more but lasts a long time may be better value if you intend to use it for a long time.
On the other hand if you only really have one main job to do with it, a cheapo throwaway may be better value.
Do you mean:
Cheapest to buy at outset?
Cheapest to run? (Are some belt sizes cheaper/longer lasting than others?)
Cheapest to buy over whole life of sander - some may be cheaper price but you might have to buy 2 or 3 to match the working life of better ones?
One that costs more but lasts a long time may be better value if you intend to use it for a long time.
On the other hand if you only really have one main job to do with it, a cheapo throwaway may be better value.
lw395
Well-Known Member
Make sure it's a common belt size from screwfix etc.
pvb
Well-Known Member
Note that Pedro's in Portugal, guys. Not sure if they have Screwfix and Machine Mart there.
bob26
Well-Known Member
No but presumably Pedro has access to this url - almost the cheapest belt sander Screwfix now seem to offer with 13 largely satisfied reviews.
I have been using one of these since December and found it excellent for the sort of light, general use I give it. I couldn't say I have enough experience with this or other sanders to recommend it personally but it seems to get a good write up. I do like the fact it can be clamped down upsidedown on the bench and used as a linisher and to round off corners etc. Its light and small enough to be used in the palm of the hand to sand ends as well.
And the belts are reasonably priced provided you shop around.
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/products.jsp?id=33078&ts=35825
pvb
Well-Known Member
But Screwfix don't deliver internationally...
Sailmar
Active Member
Yes, I am in Portugal.
I am really looking is not for the belt, but I need to buy a Power tool belt sander, I would like recommendations for a best value, not meaning the cheapest one but the one with best quality/price. I am being using a 1/2 sheet finishing sander, but it is too slow for the surface I want to level.
Thanks
Pedro
I am really looking is not for the belt, but I need to buy a Power tool belt sander, I would like recommendations for a best value, not meaning the cheapest one but the one with best quality/price. I am being using a 1/2 sheet finishing sander, but it is too slow for the surface I want to level.
Thanks
Pedro
Appleyard
Well-Known Member
Hi Pedro....If you could explain exactly what you are trying to do with the sander it might help us to advise you what you should be looking for.
2Tizwoz
Well-Known Member
I bought a Parkside one from Lidl which was cheap, under £30, and at 900w powerful enough to work swiftly. It has been reasonably reliable only problem being that the toothed drive belt housing isn't sealed as well is it might be so needs clearing out frequently. No other problems after three years.
The variable speed makes careful working possible. I find it a bit on the heavy side when removing decades of accumulated antifouling.
The running cost is closely related to the cost of replacement belts which is why others have said look for a common size. ebay traders offer most sizes at good prices but it is certainly a consideration.
You may like to consider a random orbit sander
such as this one from Black and Decker which performs somewhere between the sheet sander and belt sander when removing material with a coarse disc but will also produce a final finnish good enough to polish acrylic windows when a foam pad is used.
The variable speed makes careful working possible. I find it a bit on the heavy side when removing decades of accumulated antifouling.
The running cost is closely related to the cost of replacement belts which is why others have said look for a common size. ebay traders offer most sizes at good prices but it is certainly a consideration.
You may like to consider a random orbit sander
pvb
Well-Known Member
Ooo-er! Don't try this at home, kids. Dry-sanding antifouling isn't a good thing to do.
Sailmar
Active Member
It is to level the surface of my keel, it had several layers of paint, I removed them (the best I could) with torch, but the surface didn't stay as level as I wanted, so I need to smooth by sanding, so I was thinking to buy a best sander tool for doing the job (and of course keep after the tool for others DYI tasks).
Regards
Pedro
photodog
Lord High Commander of Upper Broughton and Gunthor
2Tizwoz
Well-Known Member
You seem to have reached the stage when a fairing board is required.
You can make your own.
This is quite an elaborate design but a piece of 6mm ply will be ok, as will wooden handles which are as elaborate or plain as you care to make them.
Lots of designs on the web.
Perhaps June in Cascias weather is not the ideal time of year to do this work.
This is quite an elaborate design but a piece of 6mm ply will be ok, as will wooden handles which are as elaborate or plain as you care to make them.
Lots of designs on the web.
Perhaps June in Cascias weather is not the ideal time of year to do this work.
savageseadog
Well-Known Member
I have an older Skil model small belt sander which is a 2" unit. The lightness and ease of use compared to the 4" heavy duty models is a revelation, mine's had far more use than the bigger ones. You get what you pay for in general terms, sanders have to run for long periods under heavy load in dusty conditions. Only a quality unit like Makita (and some of the other quality brands) will keep going and do a proper job.
bob26
Well-Known Member
No but Screwfix aren't the only Bosch suppliers (you can get them easily on e-bay for instance) so the 13 Screwfix reviews are pertinent - more pertinent than my own limited experience.
bendyone
Well-Known Member
I have a Aldi one works well for me.
Blue5
Well-Known Member
For that type of job I would consider a cheap one from say Leroy Merlin in Portugal or the other alternative would be a sanding disc on a flexible pad on an angle grinder
zikzik
Well-Known Member
Many, if not most power tools are now made in China, regardless of brand name. The usual rule applies. A higher cost usually means a better quality machine.
Belt sanders remove the material being sanded very quickly, so be careful not to eat through your hull or whatever, especially with course grit belts.
There is a Spanish brand which probably sells in Portugal called Casals. Their tools are now mostly from China, but a service network probably operates near you. Otherwise, your nearest store will have either well known branded machines or 'house' brands (China machines supplied in a brand name created by a retailer like Leroy Merlin).
Power ratings, wattage etc are generally a poor guide to power tool quality. Its about the duty cycle, i.e how long it has been tested to run continuously. Thats the real difference between professional and DIY machines. Choose the best you can afford or justify for the job. Most reasonable models will take 76mm x 533mm belts, which are widely available throughout Europe.
Belt sanders remove the material being sanded very quickly, so be careful not to eat through your hull or whatever, especially with course grit belts.
There is a Spanish brand which probably sells in Portugal called Casals. Their tools are now mostly from China, but a service network probably operates near you. Otherwise, your nearest store will have either well known branded machines or 'house' brands (China machines supplied in a brand name created by a retailer like Leroy Merlin).
Power ratings, wattage etc are generally a poor guide to power tool quality. Its about the duty cycle, i.e how long it has been tested to run continuously. Thats the real difference between professional and DIY machines. Choose the best you can afford or justify for the job. Most reasonable models will take 76mm x 533mm belts, which are widely available throughout Europe.
