Belt Sanders – Best Sander Reviews

Makita 9903 Belt Sander Review

Makita 9903 8.8 Amp 3-Inch-by-21-Inch Variable Speed Belt Sander with Cloth Dust Bag

Our Rating: 4.75/5

The Makita brand is well-known throughout the power tool community for its quality power tools and the Makita 9903 Belt Sander is no exception. This 8.8 amp variable speed belt sander is the quietest in its class at only 84 decibels, yet it delivers beautiful results on a wide variety of surfaces. This belt sander features a 3 x 12-inch sanding surface with an auto-tracking belt system that keeps track of the belt position, making manual adjustments unnecessary. The system also comes with a cloth dust bag, which removes the majority of the dust generated by sanding. Additional features include a front and rear grip and low-profile design that allows users to sand flush to a wall. The optional sanding shoe allows precise depth control.

The Makita 9903 Belt Sander Features:
• 16.4-foot power cord allows users to use this sander nearly anywhere
• Powerful 8.8 amp motor with variable speed control delivers amazing results on many surfaces
• Two convenient grips and 84 decibel noise output make it easy to use
• Cloth dust bag removes dust as it is generated, reducing the dust in the workspace

Makita 9903 Belt Sander Owner Reviews
The Makita 9903 Belt Sander earned four and a half out of five stars from its reviewers. The majority of reviewers were completely satisfied with this product, listing the auto-tracking system and quietness as two of the most popular features. One reviewer recommended using the purple 3M brand sanding belts for best results, although nearly all of the reviewers commented that the belt stays put and doesn’t need constant adjustments. Reviewers were also pleased with how easy it is to change the belt on the Makita 9903 Belt Sander.

Another handy feature mentioned by several reviewers is that this sander can be flipped over and clamped to a work bench to create a stationary sander. This allows for easy hand-shaping of edges as the user holds the wood in hand and runs it back and forth over the sander as needed.

Many reviewers own or have owned several belt sanders and have stated that the Makita 9903 is by far their favorite sander. Other reviewers have owned a variety of Makita products over the years and were pleased to report that this belt sander live up to the Makita name.

There were only a couple negative reviews about this belt sander and neither one had anything negative to say about the product. The first reviewer who gave it only one star stated that the sander had been used before he purchased it, which was his reason for giving it only one star. The second negative reviewer titled his review “perfect belt sander” and praised the product, yet only gave it one star, so it’s possible his rating was unintentional.

The Makita 9903 Belt Sander is an exceptional belt sander, which is also capable of pulling double duty in the workroom by acting as a stationary sander. Several reviewers stated this unit has replaced all other belt and stationary sanders in their arsenal and customers are very happy with the quality and functionality of the tool.

At Amazon.com you can read Makita 9903 Belt Sander customer reviews. Click here to go to Amazon.com

Makita 9903 Belt Sander Review Summary

The Makita 9903 8.8 Amp 3-Inch-by-21-Inch Variable Speed Belt Sander with Cloth Dust Bag is an excellent sander. It is fairly lightweight but powerful. The Makita 9903 is also quiet and has very good dust collection. It is not the cheapest belt sander but it is one of the best. All in all, the Makita 9903 belt sander gives you very good value for the money.

You can buy the Makita 9903 Belt Sander at Amazon.com, taking advantage of Amazon’s low prices and excellent customer service. Click here to go to Amazon.com

Makita 9403 Belt Sander Review

Makita 9403 11 Amp 4-Inch-by-24-Inch Belt Sander with Cloth Dust Bag

Our Rating: 4.75/5

The Makita 9403 Belt Sander follows in the footsteps of the first Makita electric power tool introduced in 1958. The Makita line of power tools as built its reputation for quality and excellence for 85 years when the company manufactured electric motors. That same quality and excellence is carried out in their electric power tools. It is a favorite of hobbyists and contractors alike.

Its 11 AMP motor has the power to do any sanding job you need done in record time, yet it is considered one of the quietest motors at only 84dB. You’ll be able to remove unwanted materials from wood such as varnish and paint quickly with a speed of 1,640 ft. per minute. Labyrinth construction protects the bearings and motor from dust contamination. The Makita 9403 Belt Sander’s handle is positioned in the front and top of the power sander to make sanding easier and more comfortable.

An extra-long cord is positioned at the top of the handle and out of the way, an added convenience. The dust bag has a 360 degree swivel so that it’s always out of the user’s way. The unique design of the Makita 9403 Belt Sander allows flush contact with upright surfaces such as walls. The sander includes double insulation to control heat.

• Quietest belt sander in its class at only 84 dB of sound.
• 4-inch-wide belt with a speed of 1,640 feet per minute removes paint, varnish, and other coatings fast.
• Labyrinth construction seals motor and bearings from dust contamination.
• Large front grip is positioned for maximum comfort.
• Dust bag swivels 360° for convenient operation.
• Unique design allows sander to be used upright against walls and posts.
• Double-insulated to control heat.
• Weighs 9.8 pounds; 1-year warranty

Kit includes: Makita 9403 Belt Sander, abrasive belt and dust bag.

What the Customers Say about the Makita 9403 Belt Sander
The Makita 9403 Belt Sander has received a very high customer rating. Most customers like the quiet power of this belt sander. Many particularly liked the extra-long power cord that is positioned close to the handle and conveniently out of the way of the operator.

Others made favorable comments on the dust control system and how fast the Makita 9403 Belt Sander worked to remove wood finishes from the surface. There were only a few negative comments concerning the weight of the Makita 9403 Belt Sander. One customer didn’t like how his sander had build up of deposits on the rollers. Another customer’s dust collection system didn’t work properly.

Despite the high price most customer thought that they had got good value for their money.

At Amazon.com you can read Makita 9403 Belt Sander customer reviews

Makita 9403 Belt Sander Review Summary
The Makita 9403 Belt Sander is a really good belt sander. It is not the cheapest sander on the market. But you get what you pay for, a high quality sander. The high customer rating confirms this view. If you are looking for a powerful belt sander, then quite clearly, you should have a closer look at the Makita 9403 Belt Sander.

You can but the Makita 9403 11 Amp 4-Inch-by-24-Inch Belt Sander with Cloth Dust Bag at Amazon.com, taking advantage of Amazon’s cheap prices and excellent customer service. Click here to go to Amazon.com

Belt Sander Reviews

Belt sanders are used in the beginning of the sanding process. They are not used for fine woodworking, instead they are used for heavy duty tasks, the initial rough sanding. Their job is to make a surface that smooth enough so that a random orbital sander to do the fine sanding. A belt sander is much more powerful than most other sanders. They have a lot of torque so be careful, they can quickly tear through a piece wood.

Stationary belt sanders tend to be larger and more expensive than the handheld models. The stationary model is suited for heavy-duty tasks done by professional. For all normal DIY tasks, a handheld belt sander will be good enough. You can also buy a combined disc and belt sander, which due to their size are stationary sanders.

Given the power of belt sanders, you generally want one with variable speed. This makes it possible for you to control how fast the belt rotate. Since belt sanders often make a lot of dust, a sander with a dust bag is a very good to have. That said, some dust will always escape so wearing a mask is advisable.

The size of the belt is given as X inches by Y inches, there X is the width and Y is the length of the belt.

We recommend the following belt sanders:

The Best Belt Sander: Makita 9403 4″ x 24″ Belt Sander with Cloth Dust Bag and 4-Inch x 24-Inch Abrasive Sanding Belt

Our Rating: 4.75/5

Makita make a couple of excellent belt sanders, and the one we like the most ist the Makita 9903 Belt Sander. It is very versatile belt sander. It is very quiet but still a powerful. It is small and light weight, making it easy to handle. It has a long power cord (16,4 foot) and the dust collection works well. You clamp upside down in a wood worker’s bench vice and use it as a stationary sander. It is pretty expensive but you get what you pay for. All in all, the Makita 9903 is an excellent and very versatile belt sander.

You can buy the Makita 9903 8.8 Amp 3-Inch-by-21-Inch Variable Speed Belt Sander from Amazon.com, taking advantage of Amazon’s low prices and excellent customer service. Click here to go to Amazon.com

The Best Value For The Money: WEN HB3185 5-Amp 3-by-18-Inch Variable Speed Belt Sander

Our Rating: 4.25/5

Good belt sanders are generally expensive. Buying factory-reconditioned tools can be risky but also a way of saving money. The Factory-Reconditioned Skil 7500-RT Belt Sander is a good sander, powerful enough for all normal tasks around the house and fairly light weight. It comes with a Micro-Filter dust canister which collects most of the dust. You don’t get variable speed but the price is very low. If you want a cheap sander, you can not get better value for your money than this. It comes with a one-year warranty, protecting your money. All in all, the Factory-Reconditioned Skil 7500-RT is a good sander and it is incredibly cheap, you get excellent value for your money.

You can buy the WEN HB3185 Belt Sander at Amazon.com, taking advantage of Amazon’s low prices and excellent customer service. Click here to go to Amazon.com

The Best Powerful Belt Sander: Makita 9403 11 Amp 4-Inch-by-24-Inch Belt Sander with Cloth Dust Bag

Our Rating: 4.75/5

If you need a powerful sander, the Makita 9403 is the right sander for you. Despite its large size, 4-inch footprint, it is fairly light weight. Best of all, it is extremely quiet despite being such a powerful sander. It comes with a long power cord and the dust collection is excellent. It is easy to change belts. No wonder that this is one of the best selling belt sanders. It is quite expensive, but if you need a powerful belt sander, this is the best.

You can buy the Makita 9403 11 Amp 4-Inch-by-24-Inch Belt Sander from Amazon.com, taking advantage of Amazon’s low prices and excellent customer service. Click here to go to Amazon.com

The Best Small Belt Sander: Porter-Cable 371 2 1/2 by 14-Inch Compact Belt Sander

Our Rating: 4.5/5

Most belt sanders are fairly large but sometimes you need a small and light weight sander. If you need a compact belt sander, then the Porter-Cable 371 is certainly worth a closer look. Given its small size, 2.5 X 14”, it’s not as powerful as the larger sanders but it can handle most tasks anyway. It only weights about 5 lb. It does not have a dust bag but it has a removable dust port to attach a vacuum. One drawback is that the Porter-Cable 371 can get hot if you use it for longer time. But this problem can be minimized by using good sandpaper.

You can buy the Porter-Cable 371K 2 1/2 by 14-Inch Compact Belt Sander Kit from Amazon.com, taking advantage of Amazon’s low prices and excellent customer service. Click here to go to Amazon.com