I still don't have a 6 x 48 belt sander, so once in a while I look at Craigslist. Today I found something interesting. Some dude is selling a Shopsmith Power Station cheap. It has the belt sanding attachment. Looks like it hasn't been used much. That seems to be the rule with these machines.
Ordinarily, I would not be interested in a Shopsmith, but it's my understanding that the sanding attachment is actually really good, with variable speed. I believe the motor would be 3/4 HP.
Wondering if anyone else here has used one, and whether it's worth trying. The other attachments would be included. I don't expect to use them, but I suppose it's always possible that a use could turn up.
I saw another weird choice. Someone has a Sears-Simpson Craftsman belt/disk sander. It must be 50 years old. Fifty bucks! Doesn't look like the world's greatest tool, but it's kind of neat.