OT-Handheld belt sander recommendations?

[AMc]

I've previously refinished some of the floorboards in our house borrowing a Makita 94?? 110V 4" belt sander + transformer from the carpenter who did most of our work. I was impressed with its work rate & dust extraction compared with the orbital sander I've previously used.

I'm considering doing the landing and stairs as this seems to be the only sensible way to unify the floor where we've reopened the two parts of our house into one. There is a change in floor levels and the carpet in the landing doesn't reach or fit any more + we've stained it a bit.

I'm loathed to spend £60 hiring one and don't feel I can ask my chippie again. I'm also not sure there is any point in spending £200 on a new one - I might get most of that back reselling afterwards but I know me and I would keep it
eBay seems to show Makitas going for almost as much secondhand as new and mostly 110V - I really don't need to buy a transformer

Anyone used the cheaper Makita 9911?
Anyone bought a sub £100 belt sander that they considered worth a recommendation?

 

[JohnB]

I bought an unbranded (I think) £40 one from Screwfix specifically to strip the paint off my door frames, as nothing else I tried would touch it. It would have survived the job easily if I hadn't let my tame builder borrow it, but it fell apart with a few feet of door left to strip! For a one off job, a cheap one may well do the job. We had this discussion about SDS drills a while ago.

 

[JohnB]

I bought an unbranded (I think) £40 one from Screwfix specifically to strip the paint off my door frames, as nothing else I tried would touch it. It would have survived the job easily if I hadn't let my tame builder borrow it, but it fell apart with a few feet of door left to strip! For a one off job, a cheap one may well do the job. We had this discussion about SDS drills a while ago.

There's no option to delete duplicated posts on this forum, like there are on others!

 

[AMc]

We did have this discussion about SDS drills and if I only had a couple holes or a slab to break then I would go cheap as chips and not worry.
I'll have a couple of solid days using the tool and I reckon a really cheap one might be a false economy.
The dust extraction on the pro tool I used was SO much better that it made using it a joy - I used a mask but didn't have to hoover the ceilings after I'd finished

 

[Penners]

My view on power tools is that your expenditure should reflect your ongoing need for the tool. If you're likely to need the sander regularly for years to come, then spend several hundred pounds on a high quality one.

But if the current job is likely to be your only foreseeable application for it, there's no need to spend a great deal.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-PBS-7-Belt-Sander/dp/B0001GRV32/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294845815&sr=8-1

By the way, AMc, I don't see this topic as OT in any way!

 

[middi]

I also agree with the view that there is no need to spend hundreds on a belt sander for a one off situation oroccasional use. Fot much less than hundred pounds you should be able to pick up a new sander thatdoes the job perfectly(albeit a bit slower). What it will not do is the same job day after day, week after week or month after month. Hence cheaper to buy.

Middi

 

[AMc]

Thanks for the thoughts - that Bosch one looks pretty good at about the right price. The auto centring looks like a useful feature as I'll be shoving it into odd spaces with uneven pressure. I have a lot of affection for my Bosch 1/3rd sheet sander and small angle grinder. I'm a bit concerned about the comments on noise but the Makita needed ear plugs so I guess they're all pretty loud.
I see it's a bit cheaper at Argos - and I have a voucher from a refund...

Any more recommendations would still be welcome I'm not taking the plunge until next week I think.

 

[Penners]

I've never come across a quiet belt sander. It's an inherently noisy job.

 

[citizensmith]

I agree with much of the above - have got through 3 cheapo Aldi units, but dont cry when they break at around £30 each. At least the belts are a standard size. However I am chipping in to plug the mini belt sander or B&D "finger file" I got - Its amazing, and lets you get where other sanders cannot reach. Came in very handy on staircase spindles and will come in handy prepping sashes for painting up.

 

[Penners]

I agree, Citizen. I've had a B&D "Power File" for years, and wouldn't be without it!

 

[chuckey]

I have a £22 3" wide sander and have used it for 7 doors and two oak mantle pieces - Draper I think, no problems as good as new. On the subject, get a belt cleaning block, they really work and only cost a couple of pounds.
Frank

 

[Penners]

Good point, Frank, although a scrunched up polythene bag works remarkably well as a belt cleaner.

 

[Feltwell]

I really like random orbit sanders.

I find belt sanders can be a bit too vicious, and ordinary orbital sanders are far too slow and don't give a great finish.

My random orbit sander (only a B&Q cheapie by the way) gives a good finish at a reasnoble speed.

 

[JohnB]

I find belt sanders can be a bit too vicious

But think of the fun you could have racing belt sanders :lol:. Mine nearly ran away with me a few times!

 

[biffvernon]

I've had a Screwfix Erbauer £59 which, after a great deal of heavy use, died and was replaced by another, (thankyou screwfix) but the new one had a different type of fabric for the dust bag which let the dust through so screfix sent me another which also let the dust through so they then replaced it with a Bosh £69 that has a cartridge dust filter. This is the one that I use regularly (like every day) and seems pretty good value for money though occasionally the dust clogs up inside and you have to undo six screws to clear it out. I notice screwfix don't sell it right now.

Of course belt sanders that cost four times as much may work four times as well.

But I can't really see how.

I've also got a Bosh detail sander that is great for, er, details, and a couple of very long rolls of green abrasive paper that I got in B&Q very cheaply a couple of years ago and seem to last for ever.

 

[Penners]

Of course belt sanders that cost four times as much may work four times as well.

But I can't really see how.

No, I agree, Biff. But I think the principle of paying more is not so much to achieve better sanding, as a longer machine life.

It would be interesting to know how long you've had your daily-used Bosch.

 

[AMc]

I had a quick play with the Bosch in Homebase this morning - though they didn't have any in stock - It seemed decently made and was nice and slim which may make it easier to do the stairs. That's my most likely option now
Thanks all - I'll report back once I've got one and given it a thorough test drive.

 

[Flyfisher]

I also agree that the extra money tends to go towards better construction and, hopefully, greater longevity. After all, a rotating belt of sandpaper is likely to produce the same finish regardless of the quality of the mechanism (actually, the operator is probably the biggest factor in the quality of finish).

 

[AMc]

A tool that doesn't slow under load, fray, shred or shed the belts is very important.
Having fiddled with several of these on display you get some feel for how well made they are but without actually powering them up and using one you can't be sure how effective they are.

 

[biffvernon]

It would be interesting to know how long you've had your daily-used Bosch.

About 18 months, I think.

Of course the more expensive tools are better built and so will last longer.

But.

I guess that the DIY market is larger volume than the professional so there are economies of scale in manufacturing and distribution, plus the customers are more likely to be price sensitive since they are spending their own money rather than the firm's so there will be smaller opportunities for big profit margins.