Best Power Belt Sanders in 2022

Last update: December 30, 2022

Are belt sanders better?

Belt sanders are one of the most versatile tools in a woodworker’s arsenal. They can be used for a wide variety of tasks, from shaping edges to removing paint and finish. But what makes them so great? Belt sanders have a few advantages over other types of sanders. First, they are much faster than hand sanding. Second, they can reach into tight spaces and corners that other sanders can’t. And third, they can be used for both rough and fine sanding. So, are belt sanders better

Can you sand metal with a belt sander?

Yes, you can sand metal with a belt sander. The process is similar to sanding wood, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure the belt sander is designed for metal. Second, use a light touch and avoid pressing too hard, which can cause the sander to overheat. Finally, keep the sander moving to avoid creating too much friction and heat.

Can you sharpen knives with a belt sander?

Yes, you can sharpen knives with a belt sander. The process is simple and does not require any special skills. All you need is a belt sander and a sharpening stone. First, you need to sand the blade of the knife with the belt sander. Be sure to use a medium grit sandpaper so you don't damage the blade. Next, you need to use the sharpening stone to hone the blade. Finally, you need to use a fine grit sandpaper to polish the blade.

Can you use a belt sander as a grinder?


WEN 6307 Variable Speed Detailing File Sander with 1/2-by-18" Belt Review:


This method is excellent for deburring metal components, reducing flash, and rounding metal edges. Additionally effective for wood sanding in confined spaces. The belts that come with them are fine, however there is a bare region where they connect, which causes some vibration but is not a huge concern. If I ever need better belts, I know where to get them.I appreciate that the sanding finger's angle and speed can be changed. It would be suitable for use in my at-home machine shop (which includes a metal lathe, milling machine, and MIG welder). Of course, it wouldn't hold up to heavy use or commercial heavy use, but the price is suitable for my requirements.I thought about using an air-powered tool, but the electric version allows me to take it with me when I leave the store. There will be no problem there because it has lots of power.The removable dust port is the sole component that appears pointless. My shop vac's hose is too large because the port is only about 1 1/4", so if I want to utilize them, I will create a reduction. But to be honest, that hose would make it awkward, so it might be best to just turn it off and let the dust fall where it may. Just remember to wear a face mask.



Astro 3036 Air Belt Sander 3/8" x 13" with 3 Belts #40, #60 & #80 Review:


It is really helpful for everything I do as an auto body technician, from changing quarter panels to grinding rivets to working with fiberglass. The handle-controlled speed adjustment makes it simple to remove a lot of material and fine-tune a finished item. If you are a fabricator and are considering purchasing this, you ought to.



Makita 9403 4" X 24" Belt Sander Review:


A powerful, top-quality sander that performs well. 200 8-foot pressure-treated deck boards were immediately sanded after their 2-day Prime delivery. Before being foolish and catching a board corner and ripping the sanding belt, I made quick work of numerous deck boards with the factory-supplied 80 grit Makita sanding belt. I am now a little more cautious while using the sander on the wood. One thing to note: I cleaned the entire sander after changing the belt since I found black material attached to the platen and rollers. These, in my opinion, are the result of wood dust from sanding getting in between the platen, rollers, and sanding belt. If this is allowed to accumulate, it might quickly lead to performance issues, harm the sanding belt, the sander, and the piece of wood I'm working on. I decide to remove the sanding belt after a few hours of use in order to clean the platen and rollers of the sander as necessary. There was never a need to change the tracking screw because the sanding belt tracked precisely.Since the sander is so heavy, all I need to do is move it along the length of the board without exerting any downward pressure. The Makita 9403 sander is used with a very effective dust collector bag that prevents the discharge of any dust clouds. I occasionally have to empty the bag in order to allow the sander and sanding belt to cool down because of how aggressively the sander removes the quantity of wood surface. Another trip to my home improvement store is necessary since I tried to connect a little shop vac to the sander's dust output nozzle but I didn't have the proper size adapter.When you grasp the front handle with your right hand and use this sander, a lot of hot air is released from a port beside the handle. If you are right-handed, this hot air is not particularly noticeable, but it is highly noticeable if you are left-handed. If used continuously, the hot exhaust is quite hot and painful on the right wrist. I was considering creating a flexible air rechanneling system because I am ambidextrous and would use my right or left hand depending on the situation.With the exception of these tiny drawbacks, the Makita 9403 is a perfect, well-designed instrument that, if borrowed and not returned, I would buy again and again. I would advise others to do this! If that choice were available, I would rank it 4.5 stars, but given how happy I am with this tool, I would give it a rating of 5 instead of 4. Congrats, Makita!



Astro Pnematic - Air Belt Sander (1/2" x 18") with 3Pc Belts (#36, #40 & #60) (model: 3037) Review:


I chose to try this one first because the BlueP version the Snappy guy has on his truck costs more than four times as much and is still manufactured in China. I felt I'd be content if I got 6 months out of it at $100. As a professional in auto body work, I've used the blue tool a lot, but I've never persuaded myself to get one for myself. This is how I would compare the two.Noise: Blue triumphs. As you blast into metal, the Astro screams nonstop.Belt Wear: Blue prevails by a substantial majority. The Astro I was given has a rubber wheel now rather than the earlier steel wheel, but it still runs through belts slightly more quickly than the blue tool.Belt Change: Astro wins big. The old belt is removed, the new one is put on, the tensioner is let free, and you are ready to go. Press the tip back towards the body until it locks in place. There's no lock feature on the Blue. To slip the belt off and on a new one, you must first remove a dust cover, then you must struggle with the tensioner spring. Although not impossible, it would be much harder than with the AstroAstro's speed modification. While the trigger can readily change the pace of both tools, the astro features a speed-adjusting valve at the back of the body. This method works well for cutting on sizable body panels that have several spot welds. Simply pick the proper speed and start cutting without worrying about cutting too deeply or applying excessive heat to the inside panels. This will save you time and energy.Belt Drive – Astro once more The astro's drive wheel is designed with extremely high shoulders on either side to prevent the belt from slapping back and forth. This is a problem I've had with the blue tool, especially when pressure is applied at the tip. The belt will slip and eventually slide off of the drive wheel, disabling the tool and tearing the belt in the process. The astro shows that this is unimportant.Angle Adjustment - Both tools require an allen key to alter the belt's angle, however I've discovered that the Astro is a little quicker because of the location of the lock bolt (when I can find that key).TIE for User Protection. The driving wheel of the Blue tool features a dust cover that also shields the user from unintentional contact with the spindly wheel of pain. Although the shoulders on the Astro drive wheel provide considerable defense against pinch-induced discomfort and misplaced fingernails, I could still picture something entering and taking a spin. The mudflap is what makes the astro return for the tie. Sometimes you simply have to sit there and take it or grind blindly and run the danger of missing since the blue tool will spit metal dust right back at your face in above and awkward areas at scary rates. The small flap on the astro deflects a sizable portion of this backblast, significantly lessening the user's discomfort in certain troublesome areas.This tool would receive a 4 star rating if it cost $200, however the extra star is given because I can purchase four of these before the blue tool or the dynabryde. It's also important to note that buying a new Astro costs the same as buying a rebuilt Blue Tool out of Warranty (I believe 2 Year), AND the Astro has a Warranty of One Year.Review will be updated in a year. used only for repairing automobiles.



Ginour [ 2 in 1 ] Belt Sander and Bench Sander 5 Amp 3-Inch x 18-Inch, 6 Variable-Speed, Dust Box, 2 Vacuum Adapter, 2 Fixed Screw Clamps, Lock-on Button Review:


Two belt grades, a vacuum adaptor, and a detachable onboard filter were included with this belt sander.For Chinese-made tools, the instruction handbook is significantly better than normal. This gadget is well made. The belts are simple to replace, the vibration is minimal, and the noise level is acceptable. The cord is six feet long. With no tracking issues, I have used it multiple times and switched belts when switching from coarse to finer paper.Along with the 80 and 120 grit that came with the sander, I have also used 36 and 50 grit belts that I bought locally. With no tracking issues, it has accepted all of the 3"x18" belts I have placed.This portable belt sander is of high caliber. It is a wonderful bonus that it can be used as a stationary sander by clamping it to a work surface. The sander comes with the clamps. This is a really nice investment because of the two year warranty.For occasional use, I definitely suggest it for home crafters. I only had it for four days, so I gave it four stars. Although we need to give it some time and extensive use before judging, it might be a five-star product.



TACKLIFE Belt Sander 3×18-Inch with 13Pcs Sanding Belts, Bench Sander with Variable-speed Control, Fixed Screw Clamps, Dust Box, Vacuum Adapters, 10Feet (3 meters) Length Power Cord PSFS1A Review:


Before commenting on this belt sander, I intended to wait a few months. Like most people, I was hesitant to purchase a tool from an unfamiliar company. However, I can't say enough positive things about this belt sander. The sand paper that came with the sander is excellent for smoothing up the edges. I recently purchased a home, and the back patio needed to be renovated. The top rails, posts, and floorboards may all be sanded down with this sander's strong force. in order to prepare it for a fresh coat of sealer. Also a great advantage are the clamps for putting the sander to my workbench. For stationary sanding, I used to clamp my polisher/sander to my workbench. for little pieces of work. With this sander, it is now considerably simpler. Anyone who can use a belt sander around the house should get this sander, in my opinion.



SKIL 7510-01 Sandcat 6 Amp 3-Inch x 18-Inch Belt Sander with Pressure Control Review:


The sanding belt stays in place, which is a pro.2. Quiet; 3. AffordableCons: 1. A vacuum system should be used with the dustport. Otherwise, anticipate having half of the sawdust in the collection chamber and the other half scattered throughout.SummarySince I utilize a random orbital sander for the majority of my work and only occasionally need a belt sander, I was in need of a low-cost belt sander. Would adore to purchase a Porter-Cable, but finding $100 for a sporadic instrument difficult. A excellent substitute for purchasing something from Harbor Fright is this Skil sander.Sandpaper is effective. The belt doesn't budge and remains in position. It is reasonably quiet, and the dust port effectively removes more than half of the sawdust when connected to my shop-vac dust collecting system. There seems to be more sawdust on the work surface than in the canister when I only use the attached collector. The shop vac's normal 1 1/4 adapter fits the dustport properly.It is relatively light, making it easy to move, but is also hefty enough to sink in sand by itself. This belt sander fits the need well for the few occasions when I need to swiftly sand a large surface.



EX ELECTRONIX EXPRESS Mini 1 x 30 Belt Sander 3400 RPM Review:


high caliber. Although I originally got it to sharpen, I've discovered a lot of additional uses for it. For instance, it's helpful for polishing marine steel fittings when using 1000 grit sandpaper.The fact that there is no provision for belt length adjustment is my main complaint. Yes, you can change the tension of the belt, which allows for a small amount of variation in belt length, but if the belt is significantly too long or short, you're out of luck.It's still a fantastic product at a fantastic price.



DIY Mini Belt sander Knife Apex Edge sharpener Polishing/Grinding Machine Y Review:


I got this to give it a try because I was seeking for a small yet effective belt sander for my jewelry-making and other metal craft needs. There are some sanding attachments for flex shaft tools like Foredom and others available, but I preferred a standalone gadget. When I read online reviews of this machine, I had some reservations regarding the torque required to sand metal. I made the decision to give it a shot after some investigation. What a sweet little tool! I've been using it for a few weeks now, and so far it's been helpful. It works excellent for my main purpose of removing burr and smoothing the edges of copper and sterling silver objects. I set it down on a rubber sheet to prevent movement, which also helps to dampen sound. For a motor of this size, it seems to have a lot of torque, which is sufficient for my purposes. As I utilize it more, I'll update this review! With the cheap and small size for tabletop jewelry creation, you can't go wrong.



WEN 6321 7-Amp 3 in. x 21 in. Corded Belt Sander with Dust Bag Review:


For a belt sander that costs $50 or less, this one is decent. Keep your expectations in check; this is not a $200 sander. However, it is a decent tool given the cost.I totally sanded the floor and rails of my old 14x14 deck using this sander. I was able to take off all of the rough edges and much of the old sealant. Do yourself a favor and purchase some 36-grit sandpaper if you plan to do a project like this with old, unfinished wood. Wait until you have finished with the 36 grit before wasting your time with the 80 grit. This instrument is capable of completing the task if you use the right grit of sandpaper. With the exception of emptying the sawdust, I operated the sander nonstop. Advantages: A powerful, non-overheating motor that costs about $50. Sincerely, despite using this program nonstop, I experienced zero overheating issues.- Drawbacks: The dust collector vent filled up quite quickly. In order to learn how to clean it, I studied the instructions. It was advised to simply have Wen service it. Really? Who will maintain a $40 tool? I tried to disassemble it to clean the vent, but I soon found there was no way to get to the vent's back side to do so. That is a significant design error. I eventually came to the conclusion that the vent could only be cleaned by using some long tweezers to drag the debris through. This worked, but it was more difficult than it needed to be. Second, while sawdust is collected by the dust collector, some of it is also thrown directly into your face by the belt sander. It's quite bothersome. In the end, I just sanded in reverse after pressing the stay-on button and rotating the sander around. Otherwise, even when the vent is clear, this sander blows dust in your face, and the situation is considerably worse when the vent is blocked.The sander will stay with me despite the fact that I would return it if I had to pay more for it. The motor functions properly; however, I wish it didn't blow sawdust in your face and that the vent wasn't so difficult to clean. I sincerely doubt that you will find a better sander at this price point. When sanding, simply flip it over, then use tweezers to clean the vent.


Can you use a belt sander to remove paint?

A belt sander is a power tool that is commonly used to smooth wood surfaces by sanding them down. It can also be used to remove paint from a surface. The process of removing paint with a belt sander is relatively simple and does not take very long. However, it is important to be careful when using a belt sander on painted surfaces, as it is easy to damage the underlying surface.

How long does a belt last on a belt sander?

How long does a belt last on a belt sander? This depends on a few factors, such as the type of belt, the material it's made of, and how often it's used. A good quality belt can last for several years, even with heavy use. However, a cheaper belt may only last a few months.

Should you wear gloves with a belt sander?

Most people don't think to wear gloves when using a belt sander, but it's actually a good idea. The gloves will protect your hands from the sandpaper and the heat generated by the sander.

What are the disadvantages of a belt sander?

Belt sanders are very powerful tools that can sand down wood and other materials very quickly. However, there are some disadvantages to using a belt sander. One disadvantage is that belt sanders can be very difficult to control. If you are not careful, you can easily sand too much material off of your project. Another disadvantage is that belt sanders can create a lot of dust. If you are not using a dust collector, you will likely end up with a very messy workspace. Overall, belt sanders can be great tools for sanding down wood and other

What belt sanders are made in the United States?

Belt sanders are one of the most versatile and commonly used power tools in the United States. They are perfect for a wide variety of sanding tasks, from roughing up a piece of wood to finishing a delicate project. And while there are many different brands and models of belt sanders on the market, many of them are made right here in the USA. So if you're looking for a quality belt sander that's built to last, consider one of these American-made models. You won't be disappointed.

What is the best belt sander for knife making?

Assuming you are looking for a 1" belt sander, the best one on the market is the Worksharp WS3000. It has a very powerful motor and can handle any type of 1" belt.