Festool Belt sanders

[sgryd]

Michael, would you like me to try to get some brushes and send to you?

Edit: Now I see that the brushes where not your only problem. Missed that while reading the text on the phone..
//Michael

 

[lambeater]

I've been using an AEG HBSE 75S belt sander with sanding frame for over 25 years.
I've long thought no other portable tool comes close to flattening large surfaces.
If you've never used a belt sander with well adjusted sanding frame you don't know what you're missing.

I have to re-finish a large bench similar to this one except it's over eight feet long and double ended.
It is also made of pine like the one in the picture.

The first stage of refinishing this piece is to disassemble and run the parts through a wide belt sander at 100 grit.
This removes the old finish, scratches, and gouges. After raising the grain compressed by the big belt I need to start at 80 grit with portable sanders.

When my nine year old ES 125 died ($110 to replace 3 bearings) I decide to upgrade to a 6" MIRKA Ceros.
I thought from all the good I'd heard about the Ceros I might be able to skip the very noisy belt sander.

Not gonna work. First, 80 grit Abranet is much slower than the belt sander. Second, the relatively soft surface of the abrasive using the pad protector overcut the early growth and undercut the late growth resulting in an undulating surface. Some people may like that for some projects but it isn't appropriate here.

I had to go back and re-sand the panel with the belt sander to get it flat again. Nothing else will do.
(Rotex is faster than Ceros and there is less undulation but it still lacks the control of flattening the sanding frame provides.)

Why am I writing? Because my belt sander is very old. The brushes need replacing again and don't seem
to be available anymore but the commutator is scored too so even if I find new brushes they'll go fast.

"So?"

Well, Festool bought the factory that made my belt sander and now makes virtually identical sanders with the Festool badge. A large part of why I committed to Festool nine years ago is that fact. I thought I'd be able to replace my AEG sander with a Festool sander by now but I can't even get the brushes because Festool won't sell them here.

I'd gladly give Festool hundreds of dollars for a 220 volt sander if they'd let me.

Since this is under the Ask Festool section I'll ask this, can I at least get some replacement brushes?

Micheal those sanders are awesome. Mine was the 100mm variable speed model and if I remember correctly it was blue. I left mine at my dads house when I moved to Canada 13yrs ago along with my AEG 8 1/2 inch skill saw and my metabo drill all 220v. I bet they are still sitting on the shelf. Any kiwi's in NZ want some cheap good quality tools?

thx
Lambeater

 

[Michael Kellough]

Michael, would you like me to try to get some brushes and send to you?

Edit: Now I see that the brushes where not your only problem. Missed that while reading the text on the phone..
//Michael

Thanks Sgryd!

I think I found some brushes here. At first glance the brushes they say are for the sander (middle of the page) are not available (no add to cart button). But the brushes just above match the form of my brushes and the dimensions are appropriate too so in about a week I should know and will update here.

An interesting observation for others with worn brushes is that merely removing the brushes for inspection has improved the performance. While lately the sander often won't start after shut down that hasn't happened since checking the brushes. Maybe some debris that preventing the brush from advancing fell away.

Also, the web site above has commutator stones intended to smooth worn commutators. I'll check that out too.

I actually have a new (old stock) AEG HBSE 75S in reserve but the sanding frame would have to be transferred and after decades of use it is perfectly tuned to the old sander so I'd much prefer to keep the old one going.

Festool (Holz-her) belt sanders have a superior design sanding frame. The adjustments one to make the sanding platen perfectly parallel to the work surface. The platen design is the best too, actually flat after the break-in period.

I bought a 4" wide Bosch belt sander some years ago for the extra capacity but the platen isn't flat and the primitive adjustments don't permit making it truly parallel to the work so it ends up having only about 40% as much actual sanding surface as the smaller AEG.

I'm hoping to get a 100 mm Festool sander and frame eventually.

 

[Michael Kellough]

These look promising too although the length is a little shorter. Possibly the difference between "auto-stop" and not?

I wonder how these dimensions compare to the Festool 75? Are the brushes for the 100 mm version larger?

 

[fritter63]

?
In fact, I'd like to know when people find belt sanders useful generally.

Well, in fine woodworking, if you want to ruin your project quickly, a belt sander is your best bet.....

 

[jt073]

?
In fact, I'd like to know when people find belt sanders useful generally.

Well, in fine woodworking, if you want to ruin your project quickly, a belt sander is your best bet.....

Too bad the Festool belt sanders are not available over there.

Of all my Festool stuff (lots of it!), the belt sander BS 105 (with frame) is really the most satisfying machine to use - it is built like a panzer tank with power to match - the adjustability of the height is really fine and working through the grits you can get a really excellent and flat finish; dust extraction is superb too.  I have other sanders, including a Rotex and that does not compare for sanding a larger area.

I have a mini gloat every time I use it (particularly having bought it v cheap second hand...sorry!)

Cheers

PS  Am I right in thinking that European 230 volt stuff is not compatible with US 220 volt - 60 Hz vs 50 Hz (never can remember which way round)?

 

[VictorL]

Why not to make new survey? Who wants to buy Y sander for $XXX.  
Belt sander with frame is completely different beast. There is definitely some interest in the US for Festool belt sanders. RAS 115 was very unpopular few years ago, but after FOG discussions and and few articles  it became very hot.
VictorL

 

[Michael Kellough]

?
In fact, I'd like to know when people find belt sanders useful generally.

Well, in fine woodworking, if you want to ruin your project quickly, a belt sander is your best bet.....

This the experience of most WW's who have never used a belt sander with sanding frame.
It is very difficult to wield a bare belt sander and not cause inadvertent damage.

But, add a sanding frame and it's a very different tool. It really should have a new name.
It's equivalent to adding a base to a drill motor and gaining a router.

To stably suspend a high speed abrasive just over the surface of the work so that it only contacts the high spots and easily maneuver it all around the work with complete control, with dust collection, is an entirely different (and superior) way to sand.

 

[pierreblonde]

Personally i wouldn't be without a belt sander,
i have a RO150 , I like it but i don't think its any good for sanding edges like the top of strings or edges of doors
A belt sander you can sand with grain you can not with any rotary sander
Really a rotary goes against the grain (sorry for the pun) of everything i was taught ,
for every time you sand across the grain it takes 10 with the grain to get the marks out
my sander is a Makita 9924DB its really light and a great sander
I love festool but i would not pay there price for a  rebadged Matabo  [sad]

 

[fritter63]

?
In fact, I'd like to know when people find belt sanders useful generally.

Well, in fine woodworking, if you want to ruin your project quickly, a belt sander is your best bet.....

This the experience of most WW's who have never used a belt sander with sanding frame.
It is very difficult to wield a bare belt sander and not cause inadvertent damage.

But, add a sanding frame and it's a very different tool. It really should have a new name.
It's equivalent to adding a base to a drill motor and gaining a router.

To stably suspend a high speed abrasive just over the surface of the work so that it only contacts the high spots and easily maneuver it all around the work with complete control, with dust collection, is an entirely different (and superior) way to sand.

I'll have to look into this "sanding frame" you speak of.... I have never heard of it.

 

[jt073]

?
In fact, I'd like to know when people find belt sanders useful generally.

Well, in fine woodworking, if you want to ruin your project quickly, a belt sander is your best bet.....

This the experience of most WW's who have never used a belt sander with sanding frame.
It is very difficult to wield a bare belt sander and not cause inadvertent damage.

But, add a sanding frame and it's a very different tool. It really should have a new name.
It's equivalent to adding a base to a drill motor and gaining a router.

To stably suspend a high speed abrasive just over the surface of the work so that it only contacts the high spots and easily maneuver it all around the work with complete control, with dust collection, is an entirely different (and superior) way to sand.

I'll have to look into this "sanding frame" you speak of.... I have never heard of it.

Here is a little write-up I did of flattening my workbench, where I used the Bs105; it shows the frame fitted.

http://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/flattening-my-workbench-t48511.html

Cheers

 

[VictorL]

I'll have to look into this "sanding frame" you speak of.... I have never heard of it.

When you add sanding frame, belt sander works as fine planer, or joiner. But it works over large surface. You can't destroy even very thin veneer because frame doesn't allow you sand deeper. You can easily sand through with your RO-150 or ETS sanders.  Belt sander with frame flattens large surfaces easily. I can't say that it will replace my other sanders collection, but adds more functionality. If folks who own Festool belt sanders with frame could post pictures, it would be very beneficial. 

VictorL

 

[sgryd]

Here are some images of mine. Sorry for the poor image quality.
This is the smaller of the two belt sanders (75 mm).
[attachimg=#]

The sander is "floating" parallell to the surface on a bunch of short brushes.
[attachimg=#]

Sanding depth is very easily dialed in with this knob. I find it easies to rise it above the surface and then turn it down gradually with the knob when the sander is running to get a feeling. The more you lower the belt the more the sander strives forward. It's very well balanced and easy to controll over a large surface.
[attachimg=#]

 

[hrrb]

?
In fact, I'd like to know when people find belt sanders useful generally.

Well, in fine woodworking, if you want to ruin your project quickly, a belt sander is your best bet.....

This the experience of most WW's who have never used a belt sander with sanding frame.
It is very difficult to wield a bare belt sander and not cause inadvertent damage.

But, add a sanding frame and it's a very different tool. It really should have a new name.
It's equivalent to adding a base to a drill motor and gaining a router.

To stably suspend a high speed abrasive just over the surface of the work so that it only contacts the high spots and easily maneuver it all around the work with complete control, with dust collection, is an entirely different (and superior) way to sand.

I'll have to look into this "sanding frame" you speak of.... I have never heard of it.

The sanding frame can make the difference between failure and success using a belt sander. I own the small one and boy I loved it this summer.

We've bought an old farm in Sweden for using as a summer house and one of the first projects was sanding and varnishing the floors in the living room and dining room...approx. 200 sqft.

I rented a professional floor sander..you know the model like a drum sander with the sanding drum as the front wheel. In less than half an hour I believe I'd said more than 500 dirty words. What a crappy machine. Even beeing very very careful I succeeded letting the machine chewing some nasty grooves in the floor.

I felt like throwing the machine out through the window...but I gently wheeled it trough the door. End of chapter one!

Fortunately I had brought all my Festool sanders including the belt sander. So I sat down on my butt and sanded the floors with my BS 75. It took some time but I tell you guys...the floors went smooth as a newborn babys butt!!

Happy end of story and three cheers for my BS 75 E.

Kind regards
Henrik

 

[leakyroof]

Here are some images of mine. Sorry for the poor image quality.
This is the smaller of the two belt sanders (75 mm).
[attachimg=#]

The sander is "floating" parallell to the surface on a bunch of short brushes.
[attachimg=#]

Sanding depth is very easily dialed in with this knob. I find it easies to rise it above the surface and then turn it down gradually with the knob when the sander is running to get a feeling. The more you lower the belt the more the sander strives forward. It's very well balanced and easy to controll over a large surface.
[attachimg=#]

Very Nice, Thanks for sharing  [tongue] [tongue] [tongue] [tongue] Guess it's another NAINA tool for me... [crying]

 

[Michael Kellough]

I bought these brushes for my old AEG belt sander (next best thing to a Festool belt sander in NA).
Swapped the old ones out tonight and the new brushes fit and work fine.

Just $7.50 for a pair here.
The web site description is incorrect in that it suggests some other bushes of the wrong size for the sander so get these, 19-021A, 6.5 x 8 x 17 mm.

 

[ScotF]

I would totally get one of these if it were offered....talk about speedy and accurate flattening, what a treat! 

Scot

 

[jc]

Any good alternative belt sanders with sanding frames in NA?  Even the Bosch 1274 that used to have a sanding frame as an accesory is no longer available!  [sad]

 

[rsdaniel]

After working outside the US for twenty years I returned to California and am attacking my house. Out came the (only used once) AEG HBSE 75S. While searching for (and finding) a manual I came across this discussion and have a question:

Do the accessories for the BS 75 fit the AEG HBSE 75S? Specifically, the Extraction Adapter and Sanding Frame.

I see from the discussion that they might be difficult to get in the US, but I am a Lufthansa frequent flier and that gives me another free bag on my annual Messe trip.

Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[Michael Kellough]

After working outside the US for twenty years I returned to California and am attacking my house. Out came the (only used once) AEG HBSE 75S. While searching for (and finding) a manual I came across this discussion and have a question:

Do the accessories for the BS 75 fit the AEG HBSE 75S? Specifically, the Extraction Adapter and Sanding Frame.

I see from the discussion that they might be difficult to get in the US, but I am a Lufthansa frequent flier and that gives me another free bag on my annual Messe trip.

Thanks in advance for any info.

As far as I can tell the only change to the sanding frame is insignificant as far as fitting it to the AEG version is concerned.

I'm not sure if Festool has retained the locking tabs on the dust chute so I don't know if the Festool dust extraction adapter will fit directly. I've used a simple cardboard tube for a decade and it's held up fine. Saran Wrap tube, (way stronger than it's original purpose requires) cut mortises for those locking tabs and reinforced with tape. The Festool hose fits the end well but the problem is that the simple cardboard tubes sticks out perpendicular to the sander.

After seeing pics of the Festool adapter I checked the plumbing supplier and bought a 1" x 3/4" copper elbow and modified the connecter on the AEG dust bag to accept the 1" end. It's even more compact than the Festool version but the 3/4" end needs some tape wrap to hold the vac hose tightly. Will post some pics later.