JawjaBoy Posted December 14, 2019 Report Share Posted December 14, 2019 I'm looking to add a belt/disc sander to my shop and was wondering what models everyone was using. What pros/cons? Not looking for a professional model or to spend a small fortune. I'm just wanting a benchtop model for shaping and some finishing, and maybe odd jobs on my RC cars. Not really concerned about brand. Thanks in advance y'all! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigblue2 Posted December 14, 2019 Report Share Posted December 14, 2019 32 minutes ago, JawjaBoy said: I'm looking to add a belt/disc sander to my shop and was wondering what models everyone was using. What pros/cons? Not looking for a professional model or to spend a small fortune. I'm just wanting a benchtop model for shaping and some finishing, and maybe odd jobs on my RC cars. Not really concerned about brand. Thanks in advance y'all! try harbor freight store! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badhatharry Posted December 14, 2019 Report Share Posted December 14, 2019 (edited) I usually don't buy electrics at Harbor Freight but the Bench Sander Combo I got there has worked very well for over a year now....and you can't beat the price with the 20% off coupon. Good Luck Edited December 14, 2019 by badhatharry 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted December 14, 2019 Report Share Posted December 14, 2019 I use a car polisher fitted with a rubber disk and stick-on sandpaper to size the width of lure blanks and do initial tapering. Not as steady as a bench sander but I can do the sanding outside the garage and avoid getting the dust everywhere. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZ Fisher Posted December 14, 2019 Report Share Posted December 14, 2019 I have several HF sanders, have had decent luck with them. Just rough shaped a new bait with the belt sander yesterday. I use the bench belt sander the most. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceaffo Posted December 14, 2019 Report Share Posted December 14, 2019 I've had the HF disc / belt sander for almost 3 years. It's been great for the money. Sometimes it needs a push to get started. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JawjaBoy Posted December 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2019 I was wondering about the Harbor Freight sander. I've got their 8x10 lathe and love it! Might have to give the sander a try! Has anyone had any issues or trouble with changing belts or discs? Or stability issues? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZ Fisher Posted December 14, 2019 Report Share Posted December 14, 2019 Took me a few minutes to figure out how to change the belt out, but now it's easy. I don't use the disc much... it's pretty stable, if you lean on it hard when sanding it can move around some... I have to push start mine as well sometimes.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JawjaBoy Posted December 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2019 1 hour ago, AZ Fisher said: Took me a few minutes to figure out how to change the belt out, but now it's easy. I don't use the disc much... it's pretty stable, if you lean on it hard when sanding it can move around some... I have to push start mine as well sometimes.. Thanks for the info! That's one of the few complaints I had heard was that the belt was difficult to change. As for the starting, it may need a new starting capacitor or need one added. Not a huge concern as I'm a maintenance tech and deal with that regularly at work. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted December 15, 2019 Report Share Posted December 15, 2019 I have used this oscillating belt sander from Home Depot for 20 years, and it's still running strong. https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-Oscillating-Edge-Belt-Spindle-Sander-EB4424/100061671 I do my rough shaping/sanding with a 60 grit belt, and move to 80 for finer shaping. I finish with a vibrating palm sander with 100 or 120 grit. It is strong, fast, and reliable, and the belt doesn't get clogged as quickly because it oscillates (moved up and down) as it sands. A quick blast from my air hose cleans any clogs that do happen. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JawjaBoy Posted December 15, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2019 10 hours ago, mark poulson said: I have used this oscillating belt sander from Home Depot for 20 years, and it's still running strong. https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-Oscillating-Edge-Belt-Spindle-Sander-EB4424/100061671 I do my rough shaping/sanding with a 60 grit belt, and move to 80 for finer shaping. I finish with a vibrating palm sander with 100 or 120 grit. It is strong, fast, and reliable, and the belt doesn't get clogged as quickly because it oscillates (moved up and down) as it sands. A quick blast from my air hose cleans any clogs that do happen. That's nice! Hadn't thought about an oscillating belt, and it's a but more than I'd planned to spend, but I might have to look into it. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadman Posted December 19, 2019 Report Share Posted December 19, 2019 I found this sander at our local Menards Store and also the jig saw of the same brand. I have been using both of these tools for over 1-year without problems. Good luck and welcome to Lure Building and the best Lure Building website on the planet. There are answers to all your questions here. https://www.menards.com/main/tools/power-tools/sanders/performax-reg-4-3-amp-corded-4x36-belt-disc-sander/rk7866/p-1490250196076-c-10088.htm https://www.menards.com/main/tools/power-tools/power-saws/band-saws/performax-reg-9-band-saw/bs900pm/p-1444443006811-c-1537277164161.htm Note, these are not professional quality type machines, but certainly do the job I am looking for. I use the band saw to cut out the rough shapes, crank bait lips from lexan and even to cut thru 2x4 size lumber. The belt sander is actually a combination belt/disc sander and works very well for shaping the wood. I have been using cedar for my lures so far with great success. Good luck to you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chonch12 Posted December 19, 2019 Report Share Posted December 19, 2019 Check out FB Marketplace! I found one on there for only $20. Couldn't beat it just needed some TLC and it works as good as new. 4x36in belt and 8in disk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadman Posted December 20, 2019 Report Share Posted December 20, 2019 Chonch12 is absolutely correct, the jig saw that I have came from a local source, the guy couldn't get it to work. I paid $25 for it, complete with 2 extra blades worth that much alone. All that was wrong was the wiring from the on/off switch behind the faceplate had disconnected. It took 5 minutes to fix and I've been using it ever since. I found it on Craigslist. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
