Belt
Sander Tool Review
Belt sanders
have the power to remove stock very quickly and aggressively,
which is why we use them. But that power can also be dangerous
in the wrong hands; if the operator allows the tool to tilt
to the side, by even just a few degrees, the edge of the belt
will quickly chew a deep trench in the work. Manufacturers
try to design belt sanders that offer maximum stability and
control at the right price.
Platen
Size
The
flat area on the bottom of the sander is called the platen.
It's set a little lower than the rollers, so no part of
the sanding belt except the part running across the platen
actually touches the work. The width of the platen will
either match the width of the sanding belt or be from a
1/2 inch to an inch wider. When the platen is the same width
as the belt it runs, you can easily see exactly where the
edge of the belt is. This can help you avoid accidentally
sanding across the grain of adjacent surfaces. When the
platen is wider than the belt, the edge of the belt is hidden
under the overhang, and it's more difficult to sand accurately
up to a line. However, the overhang acts as a kind of outrigger,
preventing the edge of the belt from digging in excessively
if the tool tips to the side. It's a tradeoff, and I generally
prefer models that let me clearly see what the edge of the
belt is doing.
Tracking
All
belt sanders have a small knob or wing nut near the front
roller to adjust the tracking. Twisting this knob changes
the position of the belt on both rollers and also changes
the place where the belt crosses the platen. Turning the
tracking adjustment knob actually moves the front roller's
axle in the horizontal plane. It's the front roller that
defines the belt's position on the sander. The back roller,
which provides the power, simply spins whatever portion
of the belt it is in contact with. The reason the belt will
stay put on a particular setting is that the front roller
isn't quite a perfect cylinder. The diameter at the center
is about two-thousandths of an inch larger than the diameter
at the edges. This crowned section creates counterbalancing
tensions in the spinning belt that keep it from wandering
off track.
Adjusting
the tracking is fairly straightforward--you just flip the
sander on its back, pull the trigger, and turn the knob
until the belt runs where you want it. However, the relationship
between belt position and knob position isn't a permanent
one. For example, if you twist the tracking knob in one
direction, wait for the belt to settle into a new position,
then twist the knob back to where you started, the belt
probably won't end up in exactly the same place. This is
due to the balancing act of the crown on the front roller.
It also explains why you need to adjust the tracking each
time you install a new belt, and sometimes need to readjust
it as a belt wears. The most important part of setting the
tracking on a belt sander is to make sure that the belt
isn't rubbing on the housing of the sander. This will shred
a belt very quickly and damage the tool if it happens often
enough. Another point is to keep the belt generally centered
under the tool. Belt sanders are designed to put the center
of gravity over the center of the platen, so it's best to
keep the belt positioned there. If you have the tracking
adjusted to run the belt way off to one side of the platen,
you'll have trouble keeping the tool from tipping.
Variable
Speed
If you're
going to use a belt sander solely for smoothing glued-up
wood panels and other shop tasks, you'll probably be fine
with a model without variable speed. You can probably even
do some fine finish work if you've got a light touch and
a cautious nature. For most other applications - such as
stripping paint, sanding metal, and sanding plastic--it
helps if you can control the speed. Belt sander speeds are
described in fpm (feet per minute) or sfpm (surface feet
per minute). The two terms mean exactly the same thing:
how many feet of sanding belt spin past the platen in a
minute.
Noise
Belt
sanders are among the most ear-damaging power tools you'll
find in a shop or on a job site. Other tools are equally
loud, such as circular saws and chop saws, but hearing damage
from using belt sanders can be worse because you work with
them for longer stretches of time. The industry standard
is that repeated or prolonged exposure to noise at or above
85 decibels (dB) can cause permanent hearing loss. Most
belt sanders run at between 90 dB and 95 dB.
| Belt
Sander Reviews and BEST BUY Recommendations |
Hitachi
SB75 3" x 21" Belt Sander
|
Hitachi
SB75
One
of the heavier 3-by-21s, the Hitachi
SB75 has the feel of a bigger tool. The platen is
the same as that used on Hitachi's 4-by-24 model; the
3-inch-wide belt runs in the middle of the plate, so
you lose a little clearance to the side. Tracking adjustment
is excellent and crisp, and it stays put well. Spring-loaded
belt-changing lever is a bear to operate. Dust pickup
is a little worse than average. Transverse design is
top-heavy, but the machine still performed well when
shooting edges. The SB75 has a permanent front handle.
The tool has lots of power and two speeds: high and
low. Front roller projects beyond body and front handle.
Chattering is about average, but more pronounced when
operating with one hand.
- Belt
Size: 3 by 21 inches
- Amps:
8.7
- Speed:
1,180 to 1,475 feet per minute
- Platen
Size: 4 by 4-3/8 inches
- Decibels:
95
- Cord
Length: 8 feet, 2 inches
- Weight:
10 pounds, 12 ounces
|
Porter-Cable
352VS 3" x 21" Belt Sander with Dust Bag
|
Porter-Cable
352VS
Porter-Cable's
3-by-21
sander has a transverse motor position and is well
balanced. The weight of the motor is directly over the
platen, which makes for very stable sanding. Even when
being operated with just one hand, there is almost no
chatter. It performed well when shooting edges; adjusting
variable speed is definitely a two-hand operation. Front
handle can be removed. Front roller projects beyond
body but not beyond front handle. Dust collection is
excellent. The 352VS has a 3-inch-wide platen.
- Belt
Size: 3 by 21 inches
- Amps:
7
- Speed:
850 to 1,300 feet per minute
- Platen
Size: 5 by 3 inches
- Decibels:
94
- Cord
Length: 7 feet
- Weight:
12 pounds, 10 ounces
|
Makita
9924DB 3" x 24" Belt Sander
|
Makita
9924DB
This sander
is very well balanced and easy to control. The narrow
front end and overall low profile make it easy for the
user to determine where the belt is. The front roller
extends out beyond the housing, where it can be seen
easily. The front handle is permanent and well placed.
Tracking adjustments are good and seem to stay put well.
The 9924DB is very stable in use and the belt-tensioning
lever is easy to operate. Like the other Makita belt
sanders, the 9924DB has good dust collection and a nice,
long cord. The single speed might be a drawback for
some delicate work.
- Belt
Size: 3 by 24 inches
- Amps:
7.8
- Speed:
1,300 feet per minute
- Platen
Size: 6 by 3-7/8 inches
- Decibels:
90
- Cord
Length: 16 feet
- Weight:
10 pounds, 5 ounces
|
Porter-Cable
360VS 3" x 24" Variable Speed Sander
|
Porter-Cable
360VS
Porter-Cable's midsize
sander has a solid, industrial feel to it. The big
motor is well positioned over the platen, making the
tool very stable in use. The speed adjustment dial is
right next to the trigger so that it's easy to change
speeds with your right thumb, if you use a right-handed
grip. The belt responds slowly to the tracking knob,
but holds its position well once in place. The platen
is 3 inches wide, and the edge is easy to see when you
lean over the tool. The front belt roller extends beyond
the housing, although when the front handle is in position,
the handle extends beyond the roller and will stop the
belt from nosing into nearby objects. There is almost
no chatter when this belt sander is operating, possibly
because of the relatively high weight. Dust bag is well
positioned out of the way and picks up dust well. This
stable tool was excellent at shooting edges. Great tool
that feels like it will last forever.
- Belt
Size: 3 by 24 inches
- Amps:
12
- Speed:
1,000 to 1,500 feet per minute
- Platen
Size: 5 by 3 inches
- Decibels:
86
- Cord
Length: 10 feet
- Weight:
14 pounds, 8 ounces
|
Bosch
1276DVS 4" x 24" Dustless Variable Speed Belt
Sander
|
Bosch
1276DVS
Bosch's
big
belt sander is a terrific tool. The 4-inch-wide
bearing surface makes for a stable, smooth ride. The
body, motor, and features are identical to those of
Bosch's 3-by-24 model. The 1276DVS has an excellent
adjustable front handle, lots of power, and decent dust
collection. Tracking adjustments are crisp and solid.
The variable-speed dial is easy to reach and adjust.
- Belt
Size: 4 by 24 inches
- Amps:
10.5
- Speed:
1,150 to 1,550 feet per minute
- Platen
Size: 6 by 4 inches
- Decibels:
90
- Cord
Length: 10 feet
- Weight:
13 pounds, 12 ounces
|
Excerpted
from Hanley-Wood's Tools of the Trade
courtesy of Amazon.com's
Woodworking Shop
See
more woodworking tool reviews at Amazon.com's
Woodworking Shop
|
