Rigid Belt Sander--any good???

[pipehitter155]

like the title says...i was at home depot and was wondering if it was worth the $200 they wanted for it...any comments on the HF belt sander also...really don't wanna go w/ a tube notcher...thanks...

[AthlonAJ]

Most of those sanders are geared for wood but will work ok for metal. If you're looking to use it to notch, definitely not very efficient with the shorter belts as it will eat them up a lot quicker. They also use a metal roller which wears the belt a lot faster when using it for metal. I've tried a couple at other people's shops and they're ok, but really not that great.

Honestly for the money I'd spend a little extra and get a Multitool grinder attachment. TrickTools sells them HERE (http://vansantent.com/multitool.htm)and they're worth every penny. Attach to a 6" or 8" grinder leaving you with one wheel and a belt grinder setup. What I really like about it is that I use a coarse wheel for rough shaping then fine tune/finish it with the belt. The contact wheel is a flexible rubber that gives you some give so that the belt doesn't wear so easily as it would with a metal roller.

I've had mine for a little over 3 years and zero problems with it, gets heavy use daily too. The only thing I've done is make an extension to allow me to use longer belts (less heat, last a little longer). But like I said it's for my business and gets heavy use.

[pipehitter155]

thanks Aj...good lookin out...i think i'm gonna pick that up...

[300sniper]

are you thinking about using it instead of a tube notcher? i use my wilton belt/disk sander to clean up notches after using a hole-saw notcher but don't think i could use it to replace a notcher.

[AthlonAJ]

are you thinking about using it instead of a tube notcher? i use my wilton belt/disk sander to clean up notches after using a hole-saw notcher but don't think i could use it to replace a notcher.

Ditto that. I can technically notch tubing with my setup but it really eats at the belt and is kinda dangerous. About the only thing I notch with it is 1" when going to larger material but that's barely a notch at all.

[pipehitter155]

gotcha....i actually wanted to use a belt sander as a tube notcher, i really hate hole saws, but i guess i'm just gonna have to get both...:mad3: thanks for the info guys...

[Wicked_S10]

I have a crapsman 4x36" belt sander w/ 6" disc sander. I use Norton abrasives on it, and it cuts like a champ. I love haveing the 4" wide belt, that is the only reason I wouldn't get the Jet multi tool, 2" belt on it if I am not mistaken. I have used my craftsman to cut a complete notch in 1.75x.120 tube, and it will do it, but it is slow and not my favorite way to notch tube. Mostly I just use it for adjusting notches and for deburring them after cutting them w/ a hole saw. I love haveing the 6" disc sander too, it is nice for cutting outside radii on thick plate. I radius 3/4 and 1 inch thick parts quite routinely on it, and it beats the hell out of a angle grinder.

I only paid $60 for the bench sander on sale, and I fully expected it to take a shit on me by now, but it has been cutting metal for over a year now w/ no trouble. In fact, my first abrasive order for it cost more than the sander itself ...

Later,
Jason