BEST BELT SANDER

BEST BELT SANDER – Our Top choices

1. Makita 9403 11 Amp 4-Inch-by-24-Inch Belt Sander
2. Black and Decker DS321 Dragster 7 Amp Belt Sander
3. Ryobi ZRBE318 5 Amp 3-Inch by 18 inches Belt Sander
4. PORTER-CABLE 352VS 8 Amp Variable-Speed Belt Sander
5. Ridgid R2740 Sander, 3 inches by 18 inches Belt
6. Porter-Cable 371K Belt Sander
7. Makita 9903 Belt Sander. 8.8 Amp motor

5 Best Belt Sander Review

1. Makita 9403 11 Amps – Our Best Belt Sander

If you are looking for a machine that is able to sand a wide variety of surfaces, then the Makita 9403 is the right one for you. This unit has a huge 11 amp motor that is able to pull the sanding belt at 1,640 feet per 60 seconds.

It has 4 inch by 24 inches belt that spans a large surface area allowing you to easily sand various surfaces, and you can do this in a short period of time.

To improve this unit’s comfort while you use it, the manufacturers of the model have added a knob-style front grip, and its cord which can be found at the top has less interference to allow you do a good job. This also ensures that your working environment is clean, as this is what many would want.

The Makita 9403 has a dust bag that can turn at a full 360 degrees, and this gives an unhindered operation. This model was made in a way that you can have its nose and sand flush to a trim panel or a wall.

2. Makita 9403 11 Amps 4-inch-by-24-inch Belt Sander

The main reason why this was selected is because of this unit’s power and its ability to give you just what you are looking for in a belt sander. It is wide, saving you the stress of having to go over surfaces multiple times to make sure that you have those done.

And the knob-style handle makes this a fine unit, too. The ability to grip it easily without having to fear that it will slip out of your hands.

3. Black and Decker DS321 Belt Sander

The Black and Decker DS321 model has some very great components that make this tool very easy to use even by those who have had no sort of experience whatsoever handling a belt sander.

One of these great features is the easily adjustable top handles that you can change to three different positions, increasing the comfort of the user; and the belt’s front hood is easily retractable, making it easy for the user to easily access the top of the sanding belt.

This belt sander is made in such a way that you can operate flush to a vertical surface.

When we look at the Black and Decker DS321’s engine, it comes with 7 amps and it is able to perform at a speed of 800 feet per 60 seconds. The single action lever of the belt makes it easy for you to replace the belts.

This model is just a generally great model that can be used even by DIYers, because you can use this tool without it wearing you out.

4. Ridgid R2740 Sander – Best Belt Sander For the Money

Well, if you’re on a budget and you need something that fits into the money you have ready to invest in a variable speed belt sander, then this model, the Ridgid R2740 Sander is the one for you.

The manufacturers of this belt added a 6.5 amp motor to this machine, and this enables you to adjust the sanding speed from 400 feet up to 950 feet per sixty seconds on a 3 inches by 18 inches sanding belt.

This model has two fans – this helps to pick up dust and cool the motor off – that help to increase the sander’s ease of use and also its efficiency.

This is a handheld version, and your ability to hold it has been made easy due to the soft grip handles feature that help to significantly reduce vibrations and reduce the possibility of your arm getting sore.

This is one good tool to use if you find that you want to do some work around the house.

5. Ryobi ZRBE318 5 Amps Belt Sander

If you are the kind of person who likes enough workspace when working on your projects (who doesn’t, though, right?),  and if you also desire a belt that doesn’t really require too much skill to handle, then the Ryobi ZRBE318 5 Amps is the machine you should consider going for, does not matter what project you will be working on.

This model has a 3 inch by 18 inches sanding belt and this belt is pulled at 700 hundred feet per 60 seconds by a 5.3 amp motor. What’s more?

This model has a belt tension system that has a quick release lever that lets you change the belt easily at any time.

You can lock the Ryobi ZRBE318 model down when working with it easily and doing this can help you keep the belt in line while you use the sander.

Although this model comes with a dust bag, you have the option of removing it if you choose to attach the dust port to a shop vacuum. And you can reduce the spread of sawdust with this method.

There is no doubt that the Ryobi ZRBE318 model is a fantastic unit, but some users complained that it was too hard to control.

6. PORTER- CABLE 352VS 8 Amps Belt Sander

If you are in the market in search for a variable speed belt sander, then you should definitely look into buying the Porter-Cable. And why this suggestion?

This is because this belt sander model has an 8-amp motor that produces a belt speed that usually ranges from 850 to 1,300 feet per 60 seconds, this helps you adjust it based on the materials that you intend sanding.

It has a belt size of 3 inch by 21 inches in size, and this is mostly for when you want to flush furniture pieces, trim or vertical walls, this model only makes it easier to do so because of its clean body clearance.

When it comes to this tool’s comfort, it has a very good grip system, with a front ergonomic handle that gives you control over the tool’s operation, not minding the speed of the belt.

And for the uninterrupted sanding, this unit’s dust bag that can be found placed on top of the unit can be turned to any position suitable for you.

Although the Porter-Cable comes with a dust bag, it doesn’t collect the dust as expected and it mostly will spring forth into your face.

How to Pick the Best Belt Sander

On the market today, the most popular type of belt sanders are the handheld types, and they include:

• a motor
• a sanding belt
• rear and front handles
• dust collection part

These parts vary depending on their individual manufacturers. I recommended that you get a light model handheld version, because some of the this models allow you to change the speeds of the motor.

These belt sanders come in various sizes, and the different manufacturers give their motor varying amperages. The 3 by 18 inches, 3 by 21, and the 4 by 24 inches are the most common belt sizes available on the market, and these listed belt sizes allow you do minor (or major, depends) jobs around the house, and you do these with some level of ease.

There are times when you might need to go for stationary belts, and this mostly depends on what you are working on, although, these stationary belts are fairly higher in price than the handheld belt versions, and the stationary belt types are mostly used by construction companies for their heavy-duty work.

When it comes to the sandy belts, these ones are much heavier and larger, and they are usually 6 inches by 48 inches and 25 inches by 60 inches. If you are working on larger pieces that need their edges rounded off, then you would need these tools, as they are more helpful in these situations.

One thing you should know, that is if you don’t already know this, is that these belt sanders are made from cast iron, but for the other types like the portable versions, these are made with metal and heavy-duty plastic elements.