A belt sander is a multipurpose tool, which you will find in the workshop of every carpenter. Many DIYers also buy a belt sander to smooth the rough wood or metal surface, which makes it a very useful tool. If you are a professional carpenter or someone, who wants to carry out small construction work at home or office, then you should buy a belt sander. You can find the best belt sander after going through consumer reports belt sanders reviews. Pick the best belt sander along with a table saw and thickness planer for carrying out any complex carpentry job with ease.
Reviews Of 10 Best Belt Sanders Consumer Ratings & Reports
1. WEN 6502T Disc Sander With Cast Iron Base
If you are looking for a versatile sanding machine, then WEN brings to you a 2-in-1 sander, which includes a 4x36-inch belt and a 6x6-inch disc. The belt of this disc sander can be tilted from 0 to 90 degrees. The unit won’t vibrate during operation, thanks to its sturdy cast iron base. The sander runs efficiently for hours, thanks to a 4.3-amp motor, which operates at 3,600 RPM. As a result, your work is completed without any issue. For effortless changes between sandpaper grits, the company has provided a tension release lever.
2. Makita 9403 4" X 24" Belt Sander
While it works like any other belt sander, but what makes it stand out from the competition is how quiet it works. The unit produces just 84 dB of sound, which is the lowest in its class. It is also a lightweight unit, as it weighs just 13 lbs. The belt sander features a 4-inch wide belt, which has a tremendous speed of 1,640 feet per minute for quick removal of material. The motor and bearings remain hidden inside the sander’s housing, thanks to its labyrinth construction. The sander features a large grip at the front for your convenience and comfort. The company offers a 1-year warranty on the product against all manufacturing defects.
3. SKIL 7510-01 Sandcat Belt Sander With Pressure Control
This belt sander from Skil features pressure control technology that will warn you if you apply excessive pressure while operating the tool. The belt included in the sander will always remain centered on track, thanks to an auto-track system. The belt on this sander can be easily changed by pulling a single lever. You don’t have to worry about fine dust particles flying wildly around the work area because those will be captured by an efficient micro-filtration unit. The tool features a clear view dust canister, which lets you clearly see how much canister is filled while emptying it.
4. Metabo HPT Belt Sander SB8V2
Check out this powerful belt sander from Metabo, which features a 9-amp, 1020-watt motor to help users perform the toughest sanding jobs effortlessly. The flush surface design of the belt sander ensures quick and even sanding. The sander comes with a variable speed dial at the base of its handle, which you can rotate to change the speed according to different applications.
You can clearly see the object being sanded, thanks to the clear front cover given on the unit. With this belt sander, you don’t have to worry about airborne particles flying around the work area because of a dust collection bag that is mounted on the left side. This position of the dust collection bag is ideal for corner sanding applications. With this belt sander, you will get a sanding belt and dust collection bag, so you don’t need to buy anything to operate this tool. The company provides a 5-year warranty on the tool that covers all manufacturing defects.
5. Astro Tools APT-3036 Air Belt Sander
Astro Tools brings to you a highly capable belt sander, which comes with variable speed control. You can rotate the dial given on the unit to change the speed according to different applications. You can easily increase the tension on the belt by pulling a lever and begin with your job.
A comfortable handle is attached to the belt sander, which sports a non-slip grip for keeping your grip firm on the handle. A large pulley space on this sander makes it easier for you to adjust thicker belts. With the belt sander, you will get three sanding belts, which are sanding belt 120 grit (10mm x 330mm), 100 grit (10mm x 330mm), and 80 grit (10mm x 330mm).
6. CRAFTSMAN Belt Sander CMEW213
You can buy a belt sander from Craftsman, which boasts an angled belt design to sand closer to the adjoining surfaces. The sander features a 7-amp motor, which provides sufficient power to the unit to carry out a wide range of tasks. The motor operates at 800 FPM, which results in the fast removal of material. Changing the belt in this sander won’t be much of a task, thanks to a tool-free belt release, which allows quick and easy change of belt.
The inclusion of an onboard dust bag delivers quick and efficient dust collection. The company has attached a 3-position over-molded handle to the sander for more comfort during operation. The belt sander is compatible with VERSATRACK Wall Organization System, but you will have to buy the hook and accessories separately. The company offers a 3-year limited warranty on the product.
7. Makita 9903 Variable Speed Belt Sander With Cloth Dust Bag
Makita 9903 belt sander is a powerful unit, which incorporates an 8.8 amp motor. The belt sander is capable of carrying out any sanding job with ease. The tool while being so powerful doesn’t make too much noise, as the noise level is restricted to 85dB. The belt sander features a variable speed control dial, which lets you change the speed according to the application. The belt will remain centered at all times in this sander, thanks to an auto-tracking belt system. You will like the unique design of this sander, which allows you to place it against the wall.
You can enjoy a firm grip at the front of the sander, which results in a comfortable operation. A dust bag is also provided in the unit to ensure a clean work environment. Other notable features of the tool include the availability of sanding shoes for precise sanding depth control, a 16.4 ft. power cord for easy maneuvering of the tool, and double insulation for keeping the noise and vibration as low as possible. You will get one 80 grit-sanding belt in the package along with a 1-year warranty on the product.
8. 3M - 33575-Case File Belt Sander
You are less likely to find a belt sander as lightweight as this one. Despite being lightweight, the belt sander is perfect for cutting and giving finishing in body repair work, thanks to its high maneuverability. Using this tool won’t make you tired at all. The tool boasts a powerful .65 HP motor, which makes it perfect for collision repair applications. The housing of this belt sander is rotatable, which makes it easier for you to adjust it in tight spaces of the property. You can use 3M Cubitron II Abrasive Belts with this belt sander.
9. Bucktool Combo Belt Sander With Large Work Table BG2600 Upgraded Model
Bucktool has developed a heavy-duty belt sander, which can work for several years to come. The sander boasts a 1/3HP, 3.5-amp motor, which operates at 3,450 RPM to carry out a wide range of tasks with ease. The belt moves at the speed of 4,480 FPM. This combo belt sander and bench grinder come with a premium metal sanding belt, which you can use for general purpose sanding and finishing on different kinds of materials including wood, metals, and plastics. You can tilt the belt from 0 to 90 degrees for sanding according to your requirements.
You can also swivel the belt housing from horizontal to vertical after which, you can sand long work-pieces. The inclusion of a 6-inch 6 grit white grinding wheel with a fully adjustable eye shield and LED light makes it much easier for you to operate the unit. You can quickly change the belt using the tracking mechanism and quick-release tension. The belt sander comes with two workbenches, which makes sanding a lot more convenient. If you want to use a cast iron belt sander, then make sure to sharpen with metal. The cast AL work table works well with wood material. The base is also made of sturdy cast iron and has a rubber foot to prevent vibrations.
10. BLACK+DECKER Belt Sander With Dust Bag DS321
Black+Decker belt sander is another powerful tool that you can choose for carrying out different sanding jobs with ease. The sander incorporates a 7-amp motor, which delivers the necessary power to the unit to perform complex sanding jobs. The belt sander sports an angled belt design, which increases the sanding speed up to 3 times closer to the edge of adjoining surfaces. Thanks to a retractable hood, you can expose the top of the belt sander to perform sanding of different materials.
The company has attached a 3-position adjustable handle to the sander, which allows you to operate it more comfortably. The inclusion of a dust bag makes dust collection a breeze so that you get a clean working area. The belt sander dons a low-profile design with extended reach for much better functionality. If you want to sand against vertical surfaces, then this sander allows you to do so, thanks to its flush body design. You can easily reach the tightest corners of the material, courtesy of the innovative front roller that is added to the tool. The belt sander comes with a dust collector, which keeps the work area clean for better visibility. You will get a 2-year warranty on the product.
Wrapping Up
Without a belt sander, you won’t be able to smooth rough surfaces or level the surface of different materials, be it wood, metals, plastic, and more. So, make sure you buy the best belt sander, which can efficiently trim to a scribed line and do the aforementioned tasks. If you have gone through consumer reports belt sanders comprising of reviews of the 10 best sanders available on the market, then you can buy the most suitable product for your requirements.