If you’ve just got hold of a belt and disc sander you won’t know how you got by without one before. These versatile machines can be used to create smooth curves or surfaces as flat as glass. If you’re looking for the best belt and disc sander for your needs, read on.
Power
Benchtop belt and disc sanders require high-powered motors to turn the sanding belts and discs fast enough for the quick and efficient removal of surplus material.
The Axminster Craft AC200BDS is powerful enough for most heavy-duty sanding tasks thanks to its large 550 Watt motor. Lower-powered machines like the Sealey SM750 are perfect for smaller jobs such as furniture making and other hobbies.
Some belt and disc sanders have an induction motor. These have a rugged construction, are reliable and require minimal maintenance. It’s important to strike the right balance between power and portability if space is at a premium in your workshop.
Build quality
Benchtop belt and disc sanders often have a cast iron base that keeps them stable during use. Some belt and disc sanders can be screwed to a workbench for extra stability. Most bench-mounted woodworking tools need to be heavy and solid to keep vibrations down to a minimum.
The best belt and disc sanders also have bearing-mounted drive pulleys that make them very smooth and quiet in operation. The less friction and vibration there is, the quieter the motor will run.
Something to look for in the best belt and disc sander is a solid sanding table. If you want to sand objects down to an accurate angle or mitre, the table can’t flop around or bend under pressure.
Bench belt sanders feature a dust extraction port that can be used with your workshop dust extraction system. Check that the bench sander you choose has the right size port for your system or that adaptors are available.
Sanders in general create an awful lot of dust. It’s incredibly important to have an effective dust extraction system, both to keep the machine running smoothly, and to keep the dust out of the atmosphere. Sanders also run better with dust extractors as they help to keep the sanding surface clean.
Safety
You should always wear a dust mask and safety glasses when using a belt and disc sander as these machines can eject a lot of dust and debris. If you’re planning on doing a lot of sanding, make sure you take frequent breaks to reduce your exposure to vibrations.
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