Better to get a belt sander or a disc sander?

[hooblah]

Need something I can shape metal with as clamping my angle grinder in the vice isn't the best idea...

Not sure what the pros/cons are of each one. Any recommendations?

 

[gaz1]

you do know you can have both of them together

 

[indy4x]

I have a combined belt and disc sander, I've never used the disc part just the belt

It's nothing special, cheap Chinese jobbie that is available in a variety of colours depending on whos badge goes on it

I bought it off a forum member who had a shed fire so the switch was a little crisp, replaced and it's been ok, does bog down when you really dig into the belt

Also good for sharpening tungsten for my TIG

 

[brightspark]

a nice belt sander using course belts if your rasping metal off . i use a 6 inch one for course work and a 4 inch for finer stuff. also handy to have a disk sander for sharpening hss lathe tools etc . all home made

 

[hooblah]

It would be nice to have everything, but space is somewhat limited in my single garage. I can only choose one.

Indy I'm guessing that's a 4x6 machine? Do you find it's worth the money, or do you wish you'd spent more for a better unit?

Brightspark the last pic you posted looks ideal. Nice and compact.

 

[Barking Mat]

If it's for shaping metal, a belt sander in a vice does work a treat, I mean not ideal, but 100% does what it says on the tin.

 

[hooblah]

I've tried that. It was a cheapy belt sander and I couldn't hold it properly in the vice. And it made a right racket.

 

[Barking Mat]

I've tried that. It was a cheapy belt sander and I couldn't hold it properly in the vice. And it made a right racket.

Well I'm a cheapskate.

But it does the job.

 

[hooblah]

I don't want something that barely does the job. I want something adequate without being overkill. So much time is wasted with **** tools. I've been there and done that, and I've realised that my time is too precious to be worried about saving £50. I'd rather spend a little bit more for something that just works.

If someone can confirm that one of those £150 Chinese units is all I'll need, then that's what I'll be buying. If not, then I'll up the budget.

 

[6ply]

I've tried that. It was a cheapy belt sander and I couldn't hold it properly in the vice. And it made a right racket.

My Bosch gbs75 (?) belt sander came with fittings to allow it to be flipped belt-side-up and be clamped to a work bench. Think I chucked those fittings long ago as wasn't of interest to me. Might be worth while looking for a second hand sander?

 

[bourbon]

no one machine will do all jobs. I've got the belt/disc sander as mentioned, A triangle detail sander, a random orbital sander and a hand held belt sander. Depends entirely what you want to sand I suppose.

 

[tigdlo]

I had a 12" disc sander and a 6" x 48" belt sander, sold the disc sander and kept the belt sander as it does everything the disc will but better.

Cheaper disc sanders with an aluminium or pressed steel plate rarely run true, the center has a lower surface speed, no good IMO for squaring/straightening the edge of wider parts, usually direct drive and single phase so only one speed,

 

[MetalMonkey]

Most of those cheap combined machines are aimed at woodworking and barely serviceable for that.

A decent sized quality machine is a world apart. Belt linishers are great for squaring things off and the disc machines are good for contouring, and remove stock very quickly. Another popular option with knife making is a belt grinder, which gives you lots of options and attachments for shaping.

Different tools for different jobs, and of course the correct answer as always for tools, is buy all of them!

 

[outofthefire]

Make a jig to hold your angle grinder in the vice, then buy or make a belt sander.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I have one of these Kobe jobs, sold under different names afaik. Bought it 2nd-hand off the interweb for c £80 iirc. Robust and does the job for a typical [or am I atypical? ] home user.

 

[Smallfry]

I have had a 4 inch and 6 inch wide belt sander. Get a 6 inch one sooooo much better. make use the bed is iron and not aluminium. Amongst many things, I use it for facing manifolds. Its good at sharpening pencils too !

Mine has got a disc as well. Never used it.

Its another one of those things that once you have had one, you cannot do without.

 

[MattF]

I had a 12" disc sander and a 6" x 48" belt sander, sold the disc sander and kept the belt sander as it does everything the disc will but better.

Cheaper disc sanders with an aluminium or pressed steel plate rarely run true, the center has a lower surface speed, no good IMO for squaring/straightening the edge of wider parts, usually direct drive and single phase so only one speed,

I actually prefer using the disc sander over belt sander, for most things. Probably just a preference thing. Still not felt the urge/need to actually use my belt sander, as yet.

 

[MattF]

I have one of these Kobe jobs, sold under different names afaik. Bought it 2nd-hand off the interweb for c £80 iirc. Robust and does the job for a typical [or am I atypical? ] home user.

View attachment 404430

I bought the MM/Clarke version of that.

 

[MattF]

Mine is a good example of a reasonable quality machine - likely can no longer be marketed at a competitive price, against the cheap chinese carp, mind.

What is your machine?

 

[MattF]

A decent sized quality machine is a world apart.

The problem for a lot of folk, however, is space. All my sanders have been chosen to fit within the limited space available.