Which Sander - Disk or disk belt combo

[SteveB]

Looking for a sander in the BusyBee catalog they have a 12" disk sander and a disk/belt combo - any thoughts on what to purchase. If I buy the disk style am I limiting myself to its use?

TIA

Merry Christmas all..

Steve

[Whaler]

I have the Ryobi BD4600. I have found that I only use the disc for squaring up pen blanks but the belt gets a lot of use.

[maxparot]

You'l find used for each, if you have it at the ready.

[cwsmith]

I have the BD4600 and love it. If you haven't checked it out, please do so. I looked at several models and frankly, the Ryobi unit was remarkedly better quality than anything my local stores carried.

Regarding which gets used more, the belt or the disc, I suppose it depends on the kind of work that you do. I've used them both quite a bit, but the belt probably does get used more. One thing you should note, is that when looking at the disc portion of the sander, you only use about half of it... the side that spins downward toward the table. If you use the side that spins up from the table you'll blow sawdust in your face.

On the Ryobi, that outer end of the belt is great for doing inside curves, as is also the ability of placing the belt in a vertical position and then relocating the miter table to use against the belt.

Good luck with your choice,

CWS

[monte]

Here's a review of the Ryobi unit. http://www.bt3central.com/articles/bd4600/

[John Hunter]

I have a Harbor freight 6" belt / 9" disk floor model and it is the belt that gets the majority of the use. I almost bought the smaller one with the 4" belt, now every time I use it I sure am glade I went with the 6" wide belt! http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=38360

[LCHIEN]

quote:Originally posted by cwsmith

... One thing you should note, is that when looking at the disc portion of the sander, you only use about half of it... the side that spins downward toward the table. If you use the side that spins up from the table you'll blow sawdust in your face.

...
CWS

Actually before it blows in your face it'll rip the workpiece from your hands.

I have the BD4600, its a good machine. I use the disk a lot for rounding corners and smooting anything with outside curves.

[lcm1947]

I don't think there is a bad belt/disk sander. I have the Delta and I am extremely pleased with it also. As far as both I wouldn't even consider not getting the combo. You'll use both I can assure you.