What belt/disc sander are you guys using? I have wanted one for a while, but never got around to buying one.
I have seen good reviews on the grizzly units. What about the Harbor freight one for around 250? Is it junk for the price or decent?
I don't really have a budget, if you guys say it's really worth it to spend the $6-700 on a better unit I will, but if the $250 one is fine then I'd love to save the $$.
And I mean no budget, but I'm not looking to spend 1500+ on a sander that I will use on occasion.

Looks like this shop fox is $450...is it any good? looks a little nicer than the HF one, but mostly due to the stand.
http://tool-corral.com/shopsite_sc/s...ml/page84.html

 

That shop fox looks good. I really cant justify spending that much on a belt sander just yet but for the meantime I got this...
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-...der-93981.html
I just got it a couple days ago and its still in the box but Im sure it will work for what I do on occasion. For $80 I thought it was worth a try.

 

I have looked at the smaller one, and it just won't do for surfacing a head flange or something of that nature, so to me it would be a waste to buy it. I don't think that 4-500 is unreasonable for a belt sander, because, although I don't have one now, I'm sure I'd use it in almost everything I build with metal.
The grizzly that looks comparable to the shop fox is slightly cheaper, around 500 shipped.
http://grizzly.com/products/Combinat...-Stand/G1014ZX

They honestly look like they are the same EXACT model, just with different name plates.

 

I used to use the HF one at my old work. It was good for the money. Just wish it had some more HP. It bogs down a little when sanding on larger pieces.

 

We have the 1.5 HP JET 6x48 w/ 12" disc and we've run it for nearly 7 years straight 12 hours days 5 days a week and only replaced the sanding surface on the belt and the on/off switch a few times. Thing is a beast. Cost like $800 new.

 

I was running a 1970s jet at my old work day in and day out. Only thing that happened was we lost a bearing after 35+ years! 20 dollars later we were back in buisness.

 

I have used the expensive delta units and the like. I prefer the cheap 6x48 that are imported. The one I have know has a reliant branding but I have seen other that are identical. The basic unit is great. The motors suck so I replace them (min 1hp - you can use more but then you may have breaker problems if there is anything else on the circuit ))immediately along with putting a larger pulley to speed up the FPM on the belt. I use only zirconium belts.
Usually 80 grit. Usually pay about 150 bucks for these on sale. last several years easily in a busy shop. The disc on the side I never use and usually take off.

 

The one you posted looks alright for sure.
I know from experience, buy the biggest one you can. I bought a little imported one, and it lasted 2 years. I spent almost 1G on a much bigger one, had it for 3 years now without a single issue. Tons of power, works great.
I agree, Zirc belts are the only way to fly regardless of machine.

 

ahh F it i bought the harbor freight one. I found a 20% off coupon, and it was on sale.
so i went there and picked it up, with a 3 year replacement from HF it was only $225 out the door. not bad at all, i set it up and it works fine, I'll pick up some good belts for it and build a new stand. The stand it comes with is super thin sheet metal, it blows lol
it's the 6x48, which has a nice amount of area for sanding, but the work piece stop (whatever it's called) is sitting in the middle of the belt, so that eats up a lot of the usable sanding area. I'll just re-drill and tap a hole further back to move the piece back more and expose more flat surface of the sanding belt.
I'll let you guys know how it works in the future. thanks for the opinions thou!

 

I'm in the market for one also. I looked at the jets but I thought they were just re-branded chinese models? Seems they all have similar models/specs. I hate buying cheap machinery, personally I'd rather buy good used equipment if I can find it.

 

ive got that one and thats the thing i didnt like about it (the stop in the middle). but for the money its actually not that bad, and its just big enough to fit head flanges too.



mike

 

I use an Ellis and it's been very reliable and has no problems for 3 years, 40+ hrs a week. I bet it gets turned on and off 40-60 times a day.

 

ohh and another thing, the power switch location is retarded....idk why it is where it is, when i build a new stand for it i'll move the power switch to the front.

 

I would get one with a big plenum.

I got a great deal on a used machine last week. Kalamazoo 8"X100+ 220v 3 phase 7.5HP machine. Its wet/dry. This thing is the king kong of belt sanders. Got it for 1500, new it was 6800.

 

yeah thats a little OD...be careful it might rip your arm off lol 7.5hp sander is insane

 

Heads up-enco has their big belt sander on sale right now. Been looking at it for awhile now, its now 34% off. 2HP 6"x89" belt sander.

Link- Bottom of page
http://www.use-enco.com/cgi/INPDFF?P...63-6089&PMCTLG=

Edit......AHHH stupid deals catalog is from february