What belt sander would you recommend?

[Jesse Cloud]

Wish Festool sold a belt sander here in the US, but no dice.  Hope you can guide me toward a good one.

Dust collection is very important.  Ability to hook it to a CT would be sweet.

I'll be doing mostly delicate work so variable speed control is important, high amperage isn't.

Easy belt change, good tracking control are important, too.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Jess

 

[mikey2]

I have an ancient Elu 4024 I simply love. Been trying to find a nose piece (that the bag hooks onto) to see if it can be refit to a vacuum hose. The now-discontinued DeWalt 430 was basically the same thing.
http://www.normstools.com/images/normstools/dw430.shtml

 

[Jaybolishes]

I have the Porter Cable four of five inch wide, can't remember, but its the biggest one I believe, not sure of the model number.  But it has excellent dust control even with just the filtered dust bag. It has all the features you're asking for, minus being ready to hook up to a vac out of the box.  You'd have to make a custom hose end to get the vac hose to connect.  But it's been great and has tons of power when you need it.  It does have variable speed if you want to be more delicate.

 

[BUTTER]

I have PorterCable's little little (2-1/2x14) belt sander, primarily for dialing in scribes.  My 27mm hose connects to the back but needs a little tape to be really secure; I'm hoping that a 36mm fitting will work a little better.
The main thing I like is how easily balanced it is, unlike my big PCs that have a motor off center.

 

[Kev]

Whatever you get, try to get one that is compatible with an accessory sanding frame - they turn a belt sander into a refined tool rather than a destructive force!

I think AEG and Bosch have frames for their 75mm belt sanders ... not certain what else is out there and certainly not sure of your 110V market options.

 

[Sparktrician]

I've been using a 3" x 24" Porter-Cable variable speed for probably 12 years with no trouble.  It has the bag on the back, and since it rarely gets used any more, I just never considered connecting it to a DC rather than the bag.  Thanks for the idea.  Now to see if it works the next time I need a belt sander... 

 

[Michael Kellough]

I have an ancient Elu 4024 I simply love. Been trying to find a nose piece (that the bag hooks onto) to see if it can be refit to a vacuum hose. The now-discontinued DeWalt 430 was basically the same thing.
http://www.normstools.com/images/normstools/dw430.shtml

I have that sander and the piece that shields the front of the belt that the bags slips into. Yours has probably been lost because it isn't any use as far as connecting a hose. You're better off making an adapter to slip around the existing flange. I used a short section of heavy vinyl tube. Plugged the sander end, cut a rectangular hole in the side of the tube near the plug, heated the tube and crammed it over the flange.

In the photo you linked to the guy is dubious of the pedigree of this sander. As you know, it is indeed an Elu and was never badged as B&D though it was Dewalt for a while before they designed their own.

Jesse, you're on the wrong continent to buy a great belt sander.

The little Elu meets your requirements if you can find a used one, especially since they were made to use a sanding frame.

The cracker box Bosch also could be fitted with a sanding frame and should be easier to find since it wasn't so long ago that they were discontinued. Also, Klingspor used to stock the frames.

 

[mikey2]

My piece isn't lost, I just do not want to experiment on the original.

 

[stvrowe]

Well, I have the Makita 4x24" belt sander and it is very heavy.  I don't think I have used it in over 10 years since I discovered Festool.  I must admit that I did get a chuckle out of the combination of the terms 'belt sander' and 'delicate work'.

 

[TurnagainD]

I have the small (3x21) Bosch and like it pretty well.  Especially since you can set it upside down and the belt runs flush on one side.