Belt Sanders and Accessories

The Makita 9910X is a sturdy, reliable little belt sander. The 5.6 Amp motor delivers a belt speed of 900 feet per minute (without ever overheating), perfect for removing material at a rapid pace. The 9910X is lightweight (about 5.7 pounds) and compact, making it easy to maneuver. This sander works great with softer woods, but lacks the power necessary to move through hard wood very quickly. The unique nose design allows for flush sanding against walls, something that is not common for most belt sanders. A flat top design also allows it to be used as a bench tool. Automatic belt adjustment (and flawless tracking) and a superior dust collection system make it easier to focus on the workpiece. This sander runs surprisingly quiet (especially given its power), and changing out the belts is simple. For the price, you will be hard pressed to find a sander this well built.

Pros:
Five extra sanding belts
Flush sanding
Auto belt adjustment
Excellent dust collection
One year warranty

Cons:
Power
No variable speed
No case

The Bosch 1276DVS is a sturdy belt sander, with a whopping 12.5 Amps of power generating up to 1,550 SFPM. Bosch did a great job of making this sander comfortable to use, with a front handle that adjusts to 6 different positions and locks in well, preventing it from feeling flimsy. The 1276DVS is has a comfortable weight and balance, and is designed to allow for flush sanding, although the latter can be tricky. The 'D' in 1276DVS stands for dustless, and an adjustable shoot leads to a dust collection bag to keep the mess to a minimum. The 'VS' is for variable speed, which is the only difference between this sander and the slightly cheaper Bosch 1276D. There are only 2 speeds (low and high), but they are nice to have as this baby rips through material at an impressive pace. The belt changing system is easy to use, and the belt tracking has no problem picking up the new belt and keeping it in place.

Overall, the 1276DVS is a solid, reliable sander with power to spare. With many additional accessories to choose from (A sanding frame, sanding fence, and graphite platen pad), you may never need another belt sander.

Pros:
Power
Adjustable grip
Reliable Tracking
Variable Speed
Dustless

Cons:
Machine gets hot after an hour or so
Dust Collection Bag position - it can get in the way

This kit is simply a must have for any woodworker. It won the Handy Magazine Innovation Award in 2006, and we can understand why. The 371K has a very sleek design that is also very comfortable to use. It feels light in your hand but is still very powerful with its 120 volt, 5 amp motor. A vacuum hose attachment on the back is a nice touch, removing the need for constant emptying of a bag or canister. The carrying case is okay, but cutting out the divider gives it a little more wiggle room for extra belts. The only negatives are that this sander can get very hot, and the tracking can get thrown off rather easily while sanding. Both of these issues can be resolved by buying high quality sandpaper (which you should do anyway!). Overall, this is a sturdy little sander that does a nice job and is priced well.