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  #1  
Old 03-12-2011, 06:29 PM
RidiculousM RidiculousM is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Camarillo, CA
Posts: 113
Default Benchtop Belt Sander Recommendations?

Any recommendations on size, brand, grit, etc. for deburring would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike
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  #2  
Old 03-12-2011, 06:44 PM
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L.Adamson L.Adamson is offline
 
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Location: KSLC
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I used the 1" Delta brand sanders, and used them (two with different belts) a lot. I also had a 4", but never used it as often.

L.Adamson -- RV6A
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  #3  
Old 03-12-2011, 07:41 PM
rv7charlie rv7charlie is offline
 
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Location: Pocahontas MS
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A 2nd vote for a 1" bench top. Many years ago I bought several light weight bench tools from Harbor Freight, & after trying a couple, gave up on them until mid way into the RV build. I pulled out the old HF belt sander & took off all the tables, guards, etc. It's probably the most useful tool in the shop, except maybe the rivet gun.

Charlie
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  #4  
Old 03-12-2011, 07:41 PM
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Mel Mel is offline
 
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I have two 1" belt sanders. I keep medium sanding belt on one and fine on the other. One of them also has a small disk, but I seldom use it.
I also keep a few extra bearings as they don't last too long.
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  #5  
Old 03-12-2011, 07:43 PM
rv7charlie rv7charlie is offline
 
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Forgot you asked about grit; I'm using 100-120 grit most all the time.
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  #6  
Old 03-12-2011, 08:34 PM
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Ironflight Ironflight is offline
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I have a Delta 4" wide belt/6" disk and use it for all sorts of stuff. The disk is outstanding for squaring up the ends of angle or grinding in a specific angle.

Paul
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  #7  
Old 03-12-2011, 08:58 PM
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Lemmingman Lemmingman is offline
 
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Location: McKinney, TX
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Default Porter Cable

I have a 4 x 36 Porter Cable with the belt and wheel. I use the belt quite often (about to fire it up in a few minutes). Dont use the wheel much, but it works great when I do. I've tried 80 and 120 grit. I think I'll stay with the 80, though I may find another source for belts. Belts made for Aluminum.
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  #8  
Old 03-12-2011, 09:26 PM
gasman gasman is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Sonoma County
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The most useful fearure of a belt sander if mounted properly is to be able to use the lower wheel to clean up edges of your parts. In order to do this, the lower wheel must be expsoed and be clear of the base so a long part can be passed under the wheel from right to left at about a 45* angle. Kinda like your 3M wheel mounted on the left side of your bench grinder and the grinder mounted on the left front of your work bench with the wheel hanging over the edge of the bench.

With a clear area to the left of the bench, you can now pass any size part across the lower face of the wheel.... right to left and down at a 45* angle.

I use 80 grit belts that are 4" X 36" only because they are easy to find. You can get the most use from 2" to 4" wide belts.

Hope this helps you.............

Last edited by gasman : 03-12-2011 at 09:29 PM.
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  #9  
Old 03-13-2011, 02:33 PM
RidiculousM RidiculousM is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Camarillo, CA
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Thanks for all the replies! I went to Harbor Freight and got the 4/36 belt sander bench top type.


Mike
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  #10  
Old 11-22-2012, 07:03 AM
diamond diamond is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Rochester, MN
Posts: 710
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I'm considering buying a belt sander. Can you guys elaborate more on exactly what you use your belt sanders for? If you didn't have it, is there something else in your shop that would accomplish the same thing?
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