Belt sander, which one to buy?

[Philip Florio]

I'm looking at the Ridgid R2720 Sander, 3-Inch X 21-Inch Belt Sander, $159.

Any thoughts on this one for general woodshop functions?

Thanks,
Phil

[Ben Martin]

Function and style wrapped into one...





An older worm drive belt sander won't even compare to what is in production today! You might have to search for a bit, but the deals are out there. I just bought a Skil (like the above picture) for $45 including shipping last night on eBay.

[Joe Shinall]

I've heard the Ridgid is really good. I bought a very lightly used Bosch about a year ago for $40. And I wouldn't trade it for anything. I had a Craftsman and an older Porter Cable (not like the one in the picture). And my Bosch is much better quality and feels better. But it's also a 4x24 so it's bigger than the Ridgid.

[Bill Huber]

All I can say is that Ridgid 2720 really sand but if you like dust then its the one for you.

I hate the thing, it blows dust everywhere and runs somewhat hot. I have made an adapter for it to put on the shop vac and that helped some but not much. After you have used it for awhile there is a fog on in the room, you have to ware a mask.

It does have slow start and it does track really well but I wish I had never got it.

If I could I think I would look at the Bosch

[Mike Harrison]

Another vote for Porter Cable. Your grandkids will be passing it on....

[Neil Brooks]

Odd, Bill.

I got the refurb'd version of the ZRR2720, and have NOT had the Dust Bowl of the 1930's, during use.

Mine seems to capture a pretty fair amount, in its little collection bag.

And/but ... I always set the box fan, with the HEPA filter strapped on ... right by the work piece, whenever I'm doing any real sanding.

I think it's a lot of sander for the money.

[Paul McGaha]

I have a Porter Cable and its been good.

I recently saw a thread about a Makita that the guy really loved.

PHM

[Julian Tracy]

One cool thing about one of the Makita models is that one side is perfectly flat on it so that you can simply clamp it to a table top to have a portable bench belt sander. I think it's the 9903 model, not sure...

JT

[Bill Huber]

Odd, Bill.

I got the refurb'd version of the ZRR2720, and have NOT had the Dust Bowl of the 1930's, during use.

Mine seems to capture a pretty fair amount, in its little collection bag.

And/but ... I always set the box fan, with the HEPA filter strapped on ... right by the work piece, whenever I'm doing any real sanding.

I think it's a lot of sander for the money.

That is odd, I guess I need to look into that, when I say it dust I mean it really buts out the dust. I have a shop vac on it and it still gets dust everywhere.

When I use the bag I get almost as much dust between the bag and the motor as I get in the bag.

Maybe I have a problem with it, I do agree it is a sanding fool, but the dust.

[Kim Gibbens]

Function and style wrapped into one...





An older worm drive belt sander won't even compare to what is in production today! You might have to search for a bit, but the deals are out there. I just bought a Skil (like the above picture) for $45 including shipping last night on eBay.

That Take-About is gorgeous, is it yours?
I have one I bought at an auction for $4 that needs cleaned up. I also have my fathers A4 that has less than 30 minutes on it. It will last 3 lifetimes if cared for.

[Philip Florio]

At Home Depot today the Ridgid is listed with a lifetime warranty, where the Porter Cable has 3 years.

[Ben Martin]

That Take-About is gorgeous, is it yours?
I have one I bought at an auction for $4 that needs cleaned up. I also have my fathers A4 that has less than 30 minutes on it. It will last 3 lifetimes if cared for.

I wish!

It was listed on eBay recently, might even still be on there, for $450....

I passed on a A2 recently for under $30, it used only 2" belts which I think might be hard to come by.

I keep on dreaming of the day I run through a flea market and grab a sub $10 locomotive sander, I have read of plenty of people that have done it...

[Van Huskey]

I am a fan of the Dewalt 433K and like it better than the recent vintage PC sanders.

[Bill Rogers]

Philip,

I asked the same question several months back and I ended up buying a barely used Porter Cable 362 sander on the Bay for under $100. It is a real workhorse.

Bill

[Lance Norris]

Try the search button. This thread is only a month old...

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=148152