Belt Sanders Get Better

When it comes to removing wood quickly, few tools can match the power of a belt sander. Finish carpenter Michael Standish takes a look at the current crop of belt sanders in this tool review. Michael assesses the basic makeup of a 3-in. by 21-in. belt sander, then compares eight models now available. His choice as best overall is a DeWalt model, and his best value is a Ryobi sander. This article includes a chart for quick comparisons in a variety of categories, including price, weight, noise level, and accessories, along with Michael's testing results. The article also includes a sidebar about the potentially explosive hazard of sanding different metals with the same sanding belt.

Product Finder: Tools in this Article

Bosch - 1274DVS Belt Sander
Bosch's lightweight 3-in. by 21-in. belt sander features excellent belt tracking and several available accessories

Craftsman - 11727 Belt Sander
Craftsman's low-priced 3-in. by 21-in. belt sander features excellent belt tracking and has an excellent trigger lock

DeWalt - 433 Belt Sander
DeWalt's 3-in. by 21-in. belt sander is easy to control and features automatic belt tracking

Hitachi - SB 8V2 Belt Sander
Hitachi's 3-in. by 21-in. belt sander features excellent belt tracking and very good sanding capability

(1 user review) Makita - 9903 Belt Sander
Makita's 3-in. by 21-in. belt sander features automatic belt tracking and very good sanding capability

Porter-Cable - 352VS Belt Sander
Porter-Cable's 3-in. by 21-in. belt sander features very good belt tracking and good sanding capability

(1 user review) Ridgid - R2720 Belt Sander
Ridgid's 3-in. by 21-in. belt sander includes a Velcro cord wrap, soft-start function, and an adjustable three-position front handle

Ryobi - BE321VS Belt Sander
Ryobi's 3-in. by 21-in. belt sander is lightweight, easy to control, and features excellent belt tracking and very good sanding capability