Graphical Construction Glossary >> Tools. >> Power Tools >> Belt Sander

Belt Sander

A hand held carpentry power sander that uses the linear action of a cloth and resin based belt running around two wheels. Mostly used as a rough to intermediate sander.

Compact Belt Sander

A small hand held belt power sander that has a short length and a flush side that allows it to get in small places.

A Porter-Cable 371K Compact Belt-Sander from Rockler

Here is a vary neat machine that will get into tight spots. I particularly like its facility to work right up t a vertical edge.

The Makita sander above is classed as a 75mm or 3" wide. The machine comes with a dust bag, (not shown). The belts that it uses are 76 x 457 as shown below.

This type of sander comes in a couple of sizes, 75 and 100 belt width. There are also other smaller narrower sanders for special application.

These sanders are great for fairly rough work. They can quickly cut though old layers of paint or in a workshop situation dress off frames.

Care must be taken with these machines because in the wrong hands they can really dig in and spoil the work. The trick is to keep them moving all the time, be careful not to linger too long in one spot. They cut really well when angled across the grain of the timber.

Belts are belts, right? WRONG, get the best belts that you can from a reputable manufacturer. Look after your belts by keeping them dry. Where I live we get a lot of humidity and it plays hell with the glue joints. I always try to keep them in sealed bags until I need them.

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