my 20 year plus craftman belt sander just quit on me. time for a new one. checked FH but could only find a may 99 survey. i always like to get the advice of experts before i go out and spend money. thanks experts.
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I had one of them too, got it from my dad, I luv that sander, a buddy burned it up on oil paint removal. bought a new craftman that look like it. piece of sh%^. friend gave me a porter cable, it must weight 45 pounds.
My circa 1985 Makita is still running strong, but it has gone through a couple of pads. I would assume it's still a good buy.
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
I bet you find a whole slew of PC supporters here... I did when I was looking for a belt sander.
I would have gone for the PC.. but the extra $ was a stretch for me at the time.
My local yard game me a deal on the Dewalt, so I tired it. it sanded great but the dust collection was next to nil....no I'm serious. It would probably take a year of continuous sanding to fill the bag. So I brought it back, no problems.
The no frills Makita was on sale at the tool store so I went for it.... like I said no frills, it is a meat and potatoes sander, but it sure does the job!
it takes 3x24 or 4x 24 belts and boy does it collect the dust.
great sander for the $
I've used an old green Bosch for 20 years and it simply won't die. I use it alot as a touch up bench tool, belly up, the flat top is nice for that. Other than that I use it mostly for smoothing long curves or smoothing double ply edges on its side. Can use it with one hand, gets close in on corners. I would probably buy another, if it ever dies.
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May neighbors respect You, and troubles neglect You.
Gord
I had that Bosch POS and it died after about a year -- bearings so worn that the belt wouldn't stay on. Glad to be rid of it, since it was always clogging with sawdust, and clearing the clog required complete disassembly.Replaced it with a PC.
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
Bosch's plastic belt loosening lever has not gone wonky on you yet? Mine has.
Changed the carbon platen once, prolly my fault for pushing too hard. I also managed to suck the cord between the drive pulley and the body. This broke the drive gear. Repaired it for $50, but that's the last I'll put into it.
Nope, the lever still works, replaced the platen once, jammed the cord several times but managed to work it out. Replaced the dust bag a couple of times. The thing just keeps on going. I don't use it as much now as back when I did formica everyday, but sounds like most people here haven't had the same luck as me.
If it ever wears out, I'll likely get one the same style.
Gettin too old to change.May neighbors respect You, and troubles neglect You.
Gord
PC Invented the beltsander and are still the best.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
" If ya plan to face tomorrow, do it soon"
Here's my vote to Porter Cable. 3x21 with variable speed. One of the few tools that I'd buy over again without hesitation. Rugged. Good balance. Not too heavy but not wimpy either. Noisy - definately an ear plug candidate. Dust collection is okay but better with a vac attached - an obvious statement indeed. All in all though it's a nice unit and I'd recommend it to anyone.
Nick
I have the dewalt, the one with the 3 rollers, I like it, I do a lot of kitchen counter scribing,more so than flat work, though it is on the heavy side if you like one handed operation
mark
PC...the thing won't die and I pushed it beyond any limits known to human man.
Yes, but what about Inhuman?
be a BlackBolt
A bird does not sing because it has an answer. A bird sings because it has a song.
20 year plus craftman belt sander just quit on me
Why did it quit, burnt out armature, or simply brushes or cog belt or switch?
20 YO Craftsman are not as good as the 40 YO sanders I have, have gone thru 2 belts and 2 sets of brushes and one bottom sheet metal plate on mine but everything else still going strong. The cog belts are only about $6 and the brushes only $2 (price not at sears parts, local supply house).
If your model is the all aluminum housing sander and you cant fix it, send it to me, I'll pay the shipping (use the $10 USPS offer, USPS supplies the box even) .