A belt/disc sander is the ultimate tool if you are looking for something that is as flexible as the jobs that you are completing. The fact that they come with two different options for sanding means that you will always have an option to work with. Whether you are completing woodwork jobs or sanding rust off metalwork, a belt/disc sander is going to be able to help you get the job done when manual sanding just seems like too much of a big task.
What Makes a Belt/Disc Sander So Good?
The main benefit to purchasing a belt disc sander is that it is going to give you two options when you are working. You can use the belt sander so that you can hold coarser materials against the band whilst it sands, or the disc sander if you have one particular area that you are focusing on.
We find that a belt sander is great for square or rectangular shapes whereas a disc sander can be used with more varied shapes if you have one particular part that you need to sand. The fact that you have two separate sanders that can be used as part of the same machine means that you can rid yourself of all your hand sanding tools (or at least keep them hidden away most of the time) when you are working!
Our Pick Best Belt/Disc Sander – Sealey SM914 Belt/Disc Sander
- Features:Bench mounting semi-portable belt and disc sander suitable for general woodworking applications
- Powerful induction motor with smooth, bearing-mounted drive pulleys, gives quiet operation
- The sanding belt can be used in a vertical or horizontal position or at any other angle in between
- The sanding disc table can be tilted to any angle up to 45�, and is supplied with a mitre gauge for accurate angle sanding
- Specifications:Model No: SM914Belt Size(s): 100 x 915mmBelt Speed: 440mtr/minDisc �: �150mmDisc Speed: 2850rpmTable Size: 225 x 160mmTable Tilt: 0-45�Motor Power: 370WSupply: 230VDust Extraction �: �62mmWeight: 18
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
We found this really useful video which gives an overview of our best pick belt/disc sander, if you are looking for some more information before you buy.
In A Hurry?
Sick of sore and calloused hands from sanding? Fed up of trying to switch between your two sanders every couple of minutes? We are here to help! Here you will find all the essential information that you need if you are in a hurry to purchase your own belt/disc sander combo!
Power
The first thing that you need to consider is the power that is going to be offered by your sander combo machine! This will determine the materials that you can sand and the speed that you are going to be able to get the job done! Most everyday belt/disc sander combos are going to be powered by mains electricity, so you simply plug them in and you are ready to go. However, there are some larger models that are pneumatic powered, but these are only really suited for commercial use or people completing particularly large renovations for example.
To try and judge the power on offer look at the motor, anything above a 5 amp motor is going to be great for everyday use but we would recommend stretching up to around 8amps or more if you can as you don’t run the same risk of overheating the motor through regular constant use. If you are looking at the pneumatic models then you will find the motor is scored differently with 1HP being a good quality motor – anything below this is going to struggle on the particularly bigger jobs.
TOP TIP: The motor speed of your belt/disc sander combo is largely going to be determined by the power of the machine. The faster your motor can work, the quicker it is going to rotate the disc and belt and therefore the quicker it will be able to sand the materials that you are working with! Look out for models will a motor speed upwards of 4500RPM if you are wanting to get the job done quickly!
Disc and Belt Size
Obviously if you were looking at a standalone sander then you would think about the disc or belt size, as this will tell you the amount of material that you will be able to work with at one time. The difference with these machines is that you are going to need to consider BOTH. Think about which you are going to use most as this is the one that you are going to need to prioritise. You will usually find that one is slightly bigger than the other and this is often the disc (as for most people this will be what they use most regularly) but it is worth checking and considering.
Most disc sanders on sander combo machines are going to be over 6 inches in size, with anything over 10 inches being a good size model to allow you to get a wider range of jobs completed. For the belt sander, you will have two measurements which look at both the length of the belt sander and the width to see what area of material you can sand at any particular time. We found that they tended to range from around 28 inches long by about 4 inches wide, to around 50 inches long and 6 inches wide. There are lots of variations in sizes so make sure to check before you buy!
Materials
If you want your belt disc sander to last then you are going to need one that is made from strong and durable materials. We always find that metal is the best option for this, particularly cast iron steel as that is going to be strong, durable and stable for when the disc and the belt are moving! You need to check whether the metal is coated however, as this will help to protect the sander from becoming scratched which could then lead to rust developing over time!
Some are going to have parts of the casing that are made from plastic, which is going to be less durable, but if you check for heavy-duty plastic then it should be able to last for a while! These will make your sander combos much lighter for if you are transporting them to different places when you are working, which is definitely a plus! We also like that they are going to be rust free and you don’t need to worry as much about them getting scratched! However, overall they are going to be more prone to damage if you are completing large jobs!
You also need to look at the different sanding strips that come with your belt/disc sander combo. Most machines are going to come with different sanding pieces that are compatible with your machine so that you have different strengths of sanders and replacements for when they become too worn! The strength of your sandpaper is going to be measured in “grits” with levels starting at around 40 grits and going up to 180 grits. You will be able to find sandpaper that is softer or harsher than this but this range is the most commonly found as part of a package with belt disc sanders. It is important to purchase a belt/disc sander combo with different types of sandpaper as you are going to need harsh sandpaper for when you start the job but then to move towards lighter sandpaper when you are getting close towards smoothing off the finished products.
Best Budget – VonHaus Belt and Disc Sander
- MULTI-FUNCTIONAL – Complete with 3 different sanding belts and 3 different discs.
- ADJUSTABLE – Sanding table tilts at a 0° - 45° angle for perfect results.
- POWERFUL – Runs at 250W and 2980RPM to get the job done.
- SAFETY FEATURES – Including a NVR magnetic safety switch and danger restart prevention button to protect you.
- DIMENSIONS - 400x310x260, 10.5kg weight
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Best Belt/Disc Sander Combo Features
Hopefully by this point you will know the size and power that you are needing from your sander combo machine. But there will still be lots of different options out there to choose from. Here are some of the additional features that we found in the best models to make your purchase even easier!
- Overall Size – It isn’t just the size of the sanding belt and disc that you have to consider but also the overall size of the machine, particularly if you are wanting to move it between different locations.
- Stand – Some of the larger belt/disc sanders are going to come with a stand, meaning that they can be used anywhere and you aren’t going to need a workbench or other surface to lean on when you are working. Look out for stands that are sturdy, balanced and come with additional shelves and hooks for your other tools whilst you are working.
- Rubber feet – Whether you opt for a tabletop sander combo or a freestanding model you need to look at the feet that come with your sander. Rubber feet are going to be the best option as these will stop the sander from scratching the surface underneath when it moves slightly, but will also provide extra grip to try and stop this from happening in the first place!
- Comfort grip – If you are going to be using your belt/disc sander for extended periods of time then we would definitely recommend looking out for a model that has a comfort grip design made from rubber. This will not only help to reduce fatigue and discomfort whilst you are working but will also help you to keep hold of the sander to reduce movement from the vibrations of the machine!
- Adjustable table – Some of the best belt/disc sander combos come with adjustable tables which will allow you to adapt the angle of your material when you are sanding!
- Usability – You need to check the controls on your machine and how easy it is going to be to use! Look out for models that come with easy buttons and controls plus if possible a safety switch in case anything goes wrong!
- Additional clamps – You may want to clamp pieces of material when you are sanding to be sure that you achieve even and smooth lines. Look out for sander combos that come with clamps as this is the best way to ensure that they are going to be compatible! The clamps can also be used to fix the machine to a workbench to avoid the vibrations causing movement.
- Dust collection – It is common knowledge that when you are sanding you are going to be creating a lot of dust and debris! This can be a nightmare if you are limited to working in a small shed or even in your home! Look out for models that come with a dust bag. Although they won’t collect ALL of the dust, they will go a fair way towards collecting some of it which will make for a healthier work environment and reduce the tidying up that you have to deal with afterwards!
- Dust port – If you are purchasing a larger model then you may even find that they come with one (or two) dust ports that will allow you to connect up a vacuum to remove even more of the dust and debris that is created!
Best of the Rest
- 370 watts, 230 V 15.2 cm (150 mm) diameter. Disc spins at 2850 RPM.
- The 10.2 x 91.4 cm (100 x 914 mm) belt reclines and locks at any angle from 0 to 90°. Belt operates at 450 m/min.
- Safety features include fingers on belt, guard and complete disc locking system on/off switch.
- Heavy duty cast iron construction for rigidity and long life. 60 mm dust extraction port.
- Supplied with removable sanding table (225 x 160 mm) for use with two sanding belts or disc.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
- Sturdy cast iron base keeps sander stable for smooth sanding and consistent results
- Integrated dust port improves sanding efficiency and keeps work area clean
- Powerful 370W induction motor ensures smooth operation
- Removable sanding table allows use with either belt or disc
- Adjustable belt tracking and quick release belt tension for efficient working
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Frequently Asked Questions
What warranty comes with a belt disc sander?
You will usually find that a belt disc sander will come with between a 2 year and a 4 year warranty depending on the build quality and the motor. Some do come with warranties less than this so be careful when you are shopping around. It is also worth checking exactly what is covered under the warranty as you will often find that usable parts won’t be covered.
How often do I need to replace the sandpaper on a sander?
This really depends on how abrasive the sandpaper is and the material that you are sanding. The best way to judge this is by looking at the sandpaper…look to see whether it is clogged by the material that you have been sanding or whether it has been worn smooth in places. You can also judge by the effect that it is having on the material that you are working with. A good quality belt/disc sander combo should be able to quickly sand over a variety of materials, so if after a few minutes it is looking no different you know that you need to make the change!
Can I use different sandpaper on a belt/disc sander?
Yes! You can definitely change the sandpaper on your belt/disc sander depending on the job that you are planning on completing. Different materials will require different types of abrasives to remove rust or sand down the material itself. This means that you will often find yourself using anything from a 40 grit (for heavier work) to a 350 grit (for the the much finer finishes).
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