Festool belt sander

[CarlsonCrafted]

Any one know if festool is going to introduce the belt sanders to the U.S.? Kind of sucks to see all the products on the international website that I want here.

 

[Theshipstore]

As of right now this Belt Sander is a 220 volt setup...I do not see it coming our way although I am in need of a belt sander, my 40 old sander went up in flames recently

 

[CarlsonCrafted]

I would definitely take a 220v belt sander. I know most people wouldn't but it would work great for my shop setup

 

[Birdhunter]

Bet it would win a belt sander race.

 

[rst]

I have used and abused Makita 9924 sanders for 30+ years.  They are a standard in the glass industry.  They come with a dust bag but I have adapted the four used in our business with Fein hose end adapters 921069A13 .  They last an incredibly long time even grinding glass.  In 34 years we have gone though 6, and we use ours daily.

 

[Doug S]

I have always used makita belt sanders, you can't beat them. My current model is a 9403, a festool vac hose fits where the dustbag should go and I have converted it to take a plug it lead.  The festool one is a very old model.

Doug

 

[CarlsonCrafted]

That's a good idea to convert a makita to take a plug-it

 

[broseiden]

I have used and abused Makita 9924 sanders for 30+ years.  They are a standard in the glass industry.  They come with a dust bag but I have adapted the four used in our business with Fein hose end adapters 921069A13 .  They last an incredibly long time even grinding glass.  In 34 years we have gone though 6, and we use ours daily.

Do you find the Fein adapters work well? Was thinking about rigging something up, but if it's a good fit, thats probably a more elegant solution!

 

[semenza]

People have been wanting the belt sanders in NA for many years. The question is a regular  on FOG. But it seems  that it just isn't going to happen. 

Seth

 

[rst]

The Fein adapters are great, both the stepped and the straight flexible ones.  Every one of my seven Festool sanders has the stepped adapter on them after cutting off the smallest step  and use them on many of my other tools.  This works as I use three Fein vacs and they plug right in.  I like the Festool vacs...I just can't see the advantage over the price difference.  Another modification I have made is that I bought 50' of the Techflex Flexo Pet, 1-1/2" sheath and installed 8' of it on the four hoses I use...this is fantastic stuff, its a teflon type sheath that slides like butter.  I ordered it in neon green but it came in a tan color...green was probably out of stock.

 

[festivus]

This may seem like a stupid question - but what would you use a belt sander for?

Strangely, it was one of the first tools I bought 15 years ago - but hardly ever use. Granted, it's not Festool!

Just interested what you can do with a belt sander, that can't be done with a Rotex, or planer etc?

I'm not trying to rub it in because I can get them here - honest!

 

[semenza]

You're just saying that because you can get them there.  [poke]

  Even though the Rotex is great for fast controlled material removal there are times when a belt sander would be faster. Plus the Festool with the sanding frame for flattening. Also they can be a handy stationary sander since inversion stands and feet are actually made for them.

  Certainly we can get (in NA) other belt sanders , but the Festool sanders with accessories are a nice bit of kit. Maybe it is a NA want more than a need?

Seth

 

[festivus]

Thanks Seth.

I was slightly tempted a while back by your last point about use as a stationary sander. But needed a few more reasons (and some spare cash) to justify that one!

Cheers,

Gidon

 

[Michael Kellough]

Belt sanders are tough to talk about. The typical version of the tool is about as useful to the average woodworker as a chainsaw. In skilled hands it's a different story but very few of us have the skill.

A belt sander in a sanding frame is a different tool entirely. It's a real shame that the best version (Festool naturally) is not available here. The Festool belt sanders are equipped with 220v motors and they don't think it's worth it to make the 110v motors we need.

Back in the 20th century AEG sold the same sander here (3x21 version). It's exactly the same except without the slow start feature and you can occasionally find them on ebay etc. But the sanding frame is what changes it from generally destructive menace into a sanding machine par excellence and the frame is as scarce as hen's teeth.

For more on difference that the sanding frame makes check out these older threads.

Is the belt sander worth it? Wherein Tezzer buys a Festool belt sander and is ecstatic with the results.

Slighly earlier threads about the benefit of the sanding frame.

 

[SittingElf]

If you can get someone to buy you one in Europe and send it to you, you only need an inexpensive 110v to 220v Step Up Transformer to use it. Problem solved.

Frank

(I wish I had purchased one along with the other 220V tools I bought while in Germany. Slipped my mind.)

 

[FM_SC]

I have a 4" wide Bosch belt sander with a frame and it does come in handy at times.  As mentioned before, without a frame, the tool is near worthless for me.  Coupled with a frame, it does an excellent job in fast stock removal.  Most times people claim Rotex is as aggressive as a belt sander, I disagree.  The reason I purchased mine years ago was to level end grain cutting boards.  Connects to the Festool hose without adaptors and does a good (not great) job with dust collection.

 

[Cheese]

This may seem like a stupid question - but what would you use a belt sander for?

Strangely, it was one of the first tools I bought 15 years ago - but hardly ever use. Granted, it's not Festool!

Just interested what you can do with a belt sander, that can't be done with a Rotex, or planer etc?

I'm not trying to rub it in because I can get them here - honest!

I use a 4" Milwaukee to flatten any sub-floor bumps before I install hardwood floors.
Also use it to straight-line stainless steel.

 

[DB10]

I used to use one years ago when installing re claimed parquet flooring.
  My philosophy now days is, if a job requires a belt sander then its's probably a job I don't want to undertake.

 

[Cheese]

Really? Must have had some bad interactions with the belt.

 

[DB10]

Really? Must have had some bad interactions with the belt.

Nope, Just can't be bothered with all the dust they create, I'd rather use my Rotex, slower but cleaner.