jut my .02
a belt sander doesnt throw as much dust in the air as a disc sander, even with a hood rigged up for dust collection over the disc sander it still throws dust every where. I cheat on the belt sander I have a way to clamp a hand held in a vise so I dont need the bigger version from SS ,not saying I wouldnt use one if I had one . I seldom use the belt saner myself and favor the disc sander for most of my work . then again they both have their place JMO
Belt Sander vs. Disc Sander
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Re: Belt Sander vs. Disc Sander
Hobbyman2 Favorite Quote: "If a man does his best, what else is there?"
- General George S. Patton (1885-1945)
- General George S. Patton (1885-1945)
Re: Belt Sander vs. Disc Sander
A lot depends on what other tools you have in your shop as to what you end up using more or liking best because of some features or results.
I keep several sanding disks with the various grits of sandpaper on them so it is as simple as switching disks to change grits. I can't do that with the belt sander due to the cost and the storage space, so advantage to disk sander based on cost alone.
Disks can also make use of the quill feed on the machine, as well as using sets from the table saw. Having the quill move the sandpaper to the work piece has its advantages as does moving from a sawing operation to a sanding operation without having to change things like miter gauge settings. Again advantage to disk sander.
Storage of consumables, the disks are easier and smaller to store so again advantage to the disk sander.
Now I could go on trying to balance or stack the deck in favor of the disk sander but I think I really don't have to. You should have both as well as the strip sander and another bunch of sanders to get the job done. I know I hate to sand but I also know that I own a lot of sanding methods because of that, and having a lot of options is something I like......
Now both of these can throw a lot of saw dust in the air, for the older 500 system there is a dust chute addition you can buy for the disk sander, the new 510/520 use the lower blade guard and you REALLY need to use them. The older belt sander had a smaller dust port but a retro fit to the larger one is also a really good idea.
My use of the belt sander dropped off from when I first got it due to owning the strip sander and other ways of sanding. Then for a few years I got by with out the belt sander as it had developed a problem with the adjusting mechanism. In the last couple of years I did a pretty much total rebuild of the unit and it is as good as new. The point being I was able to live without it but I could not do that without the disk sander.
Anyway that is a few random thoughts to add to the mix.
Ed
I keep several sanding disks with the various grits of sandpaper on them so it is as simple as switching disks to change grits. I can't do that with the belt sander due to the cost and the storage space, so advantage to disk sander based on cost alone.
Disks can also make use of the quill feed on the machine, as well as using sets from the table saw. Having the quill move the sandpaper to the work piece has its advantages as does moving from a sawing operation to a sanding operation without having to change things like miter gauge settings. Again advantage to disk sander.
Storage of consumables, the disks are easier and smaller to store so again advantage to the disk sander.
Now I could go on trying to balance or stack the deck in favor of the disk sander but I think I really don't have to. You should have both as well as the strip sander and another bunch of sanders to get the job done. I know I hate to sand but I also know that I own a lot of sanding methods because of that, and having a lot of options is something I like......
Now both of these can throw a lot of saw dust in the air, for the older 500 system there is a dust chute addition you can buy for the disk sander, the new 510/520 use the lower blade guard and you REALLY need to use them. The older belt sander had a smaller dust port but a retro fit to the larger one is also a really good idea.
My use of the belt sander dropped off from when I first got it due to owning the strip sander and other ways of sanding. Then for a few years I got by with out the belt sander as it had developed a problem with the adjusting mechanism. In the last couple of years I did a pretty much total rebuild of the unit and it is as good as new. The point being I was able to live without it but I could not do that without the disk sander.
Anyway that is a few random thoughts to add to the mix.
Ed
{Knight of the Shopsmith} [Hero's don't wear capes, they wear dog tags]
Re: Belt Sander vs. Disc Sander
I will chime in here. I always use my belt sander. I have it on its own mount and it's great. I don't use the disc sander much, and I just used the strip sander for the first time on years. One sander I do prefer is the conical disc sander. Love that with a passion.
I agree every one has its place but you won't regret a belt sander. You can do inside curves with it, and you cannot do that with disc sander. Now that I picked up an oscillating drum sander, we shall see where I go from here, but I highly doubt I'll ever get rid of the belt sander.
I agree every one has its place but you won't regret a belt sander. You can do inside curves with it, and you cannot do that with disc sander. Now that I picked up an oscillating drum sander, we shall see where I go from here, but I highly doubt I'll ever get rid of the belt sander.
-Beave