I have 2 belt sanders. An old makita (which sat on a damp dirt floor too long and needs some some bottom parts) and a wonderfully errant chiwanese made Ozito. I made an outdoor table out of treated pine fence planks (recycled) and bought the Ozito (49 bucks) to make it flat. Turned her on and ran right over the top of the cord and swallowed it all up. Blue sparks and flashes every where. The belt had a dirty black burn on it. 
Off to the underpants drawer for a quick change into clean ones Cut the cord where it was stripped and twisted it back together and wrapped a poultice of lecky tape around it. Still works good as new. After a while I discovered the best way to use it was ine handed and let it t=do the work. I started with 60grit and went to 240grit and got a really smooth and level finish with no ugly grooves. Definitely better not to fight a belt sander - just go with the flow. Now Terry how does my experience with a 49 BS compare with yours and the 1000 buck dream machine? ;D
Off to the underpants drawer for a quick change into clean ones Cut the cord where it was stripped and twisted it back together and wrapped a poultice of lecky tape around it. Still works good as new. After a while I discovered the best way to use it was ine handed and let it t=do the work. I started with 60grit and went to 240grit and got a really smooth and level finish with no ugly grooves. Definitely better not to fight a belt sander - just go with the flow. Now Terry how does my experience with a 49 BS compare with yours and the 1000 buck dream machine? ;D
