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Best Belt Disc Sanders: Don’t Buy Without Reading This

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There’s always a tool that woodworkers love — for me, it’s the belt disc sander. This tool is a combination of two great tools. A belt disc sander will improve your woodworking skills, plus it will help you save a lot of space.

Choosing a belt disc sander is hard because you will have to check a lot of features — to make it easier for you we have made a list of the best belt disc sanders.

Except for that, we have also made a buyer guide where we listed all the important things that you need to focus on before buying a belt disc sander. You can find it down below

Products
Product NameDetailsPrice

Rikon 50-112

  • Motor Power: 1/2 HP
Buy On Amazon

BUCKTOOL BD4801

  • Motor Power: 3/4 HP
Buy On Amazon

WEN 6502T

  • Motor Power: 4.3 Amp (1/2 HP)
Buy On Amazon

Currently Unavailable

  • Motor Power: 1/3 HP
Currently Unavailable

JET 708599K



  • Motor Power: 1-1/2 HP
Buy On Amazon

Best Belt Disc Sanders


1. Rikon 50-112

Best Features  Rikon 50-112 4-Inch x 36-Inch Belt 6-Inch Disc Sander

  • Perfect For Home DIY Projects
  • Fast
  • Durable

More detailed review ↴

If you are a beginner or own a small workshop then make sure to check Rikon 50-112. This belt disc sander is easy to use and that makes it perfect for beginners.

Although some people may consider this machine pricey, I think that the quality that it has makes the price reasonable.

This Rikon sander comes with a 1/2 HP motor. The motor has enough power to deal with small-medium projects. But, if you use it for larger projects the motor can bog down.

The machine is very durable — the cast is made of iron and the construction is made is steel. This combination gives the tool a heavy-duty base which reduces the vibrations. It is fast, the belt speed is 1900 SFPM and the disc speed is 3450 RPM.

Overall a great machine for beginners and people who own a small workshop.

Pros:

  • Durable – It comes with an iron cast and aluminum body.
  • Power – Features a 1/2 HP Motor.
  • Fast – Belt speed 1900 SFPM, Disc speed 3450 RPM.
Cons:

  • Not recommended for large projects


2. BUCKTOOL BD4801

Best Features  BUCKTOOL Direct Drive Bench Belt Sander, 4x36 in Belt and 8 in Disc Sander, 3/4HP Belt Sander for...

  • Miter Gauge Table
  • 3/4 HP Motor
  • Fewer Vibrations

More detailed review ↴

If you are serious about woodworking and need a belt disc sander that has a lot of features then you should check BUCKTOOL BD4801. 

What I like most about this machine is that it allows you to tilt the belt. You can tilt the sanding belt up to 90-degrees vertical. This helps you a lot if you are working with large objects.

This machine comes with a 3/4 HP motor, it has enough power to deal with different types of project. The motor is also very quiet which can be a good thing if you work long hours.

Belt & disc are directly driven by the motor which increases their efficiency. The base of the machine is made of aluminum and it has rubber feet which reduce the vibrations a lot.

What I like most about this machine is that it comes with an adjustable worktable with a miter gauge that can be used for disc and belt.

Pros:

  • Adjustable Belt – You can adjust the belt base and tilt it up to 90-degrees vertical.
  • Powerful – Features a 3/4 HP Motor.
  • Durable – Its base is made of aluminum.
  • Fast – The belt speed is 2161 FPM.
  • Table with a miter gauge
Cons:

  • Sometimes the disc doesn’t rotate but it wobbles.


3. WEN 6502T

Best Features  WEN 6502T 4.3-Amp 4 x 36 in. Belt and 6 in. Disc Sander with Cast Iron Base

  • Belt Tilt
  • Disc Table With Miter Gauge
  • 1/2 HP Motor

More detailed review ↴

If you have researched long enough then you probably read about WEN 6502T. This machine is very easy to use, and that’s one of the main reasons why DIYers love it.

Just like our previous pick, this one too allows you to tilt the sanding belt — you can tilt the belt up to 90-degrees vertical.  The disc table can’t be adjusted but it comes with a miter gauge that will help you a lot when you are sanding at an angle, plus a stop bar to protect you.

This machine comes with a 4.3 Amp (1/2 HP) motor that delivers 3600 RPM — the motor has enough power to deal with most of the small & medium projects, but it’s not recommended to use it for heavy projects.

People who do small projects & DIY will love this tool, it doesn’t cost a lot of money, plus it’s durable.

Pros:

  • Belt Tilt – You can tilt the sanding belt up to 90-degrees vertical.
  • Disc Table – The disc table comes with a miter gauge and a stop bar.
  • Motor – Features a 4.5 Amp (1/2 HP) motor.
  • Fast- The motor delivers up to 3600 RPM.
Cons:

  • Doesn’t have enough power for heavy projects.


4. Grizzly Industrial H6070

Best Features  Currently Unavailable

  • Adjustable Work Tables
  • Two Dust Ports
  • 3450 RPM

More detailed review ↴

The next machine in our list is the Grizzly Industrial H6070. Grizzly is a known brand when it comes to belt disc sanders, it produces high-quality products, there’s no exception here.

This is another small belt disc sander that can be used mostly for small and medium projects. It features a 1/3 HP motor that delivers 3450 RPM. The motor works perfectly if you use it for DIY projects only.

What I like most about this machine is that it allows you to tilt the worktables up to 45-degrees (disc & belt table). This makes the tool more versatile and allows you to work with different shaped materials.

This Grizzly belt disc sander comes with a manual belt tracking system and two dust ports.

Pros:

  • Adjustable Work Tables – You can tilt the tables up to 45-degrees.
  • Motor – Features a 1/3 HP motor that delivers up to 3450 RPM.
  • Safety Guards
  • Two Dust Ports
Cons:

  • Small Belt Sander


5. JET 708599K

Best Features  JET 6' x 48' Belt and 12' Disc Sander with Open Stand, 1Ph 115/230V (JSG-6DCK)

  • Perfect For Industrial Work
  • 1-1/2 HP Motor
  • Adjustable Tables

More detailed review ↴

If you are into industrial woodworking and need a power tool that can handle heavy projects then you should check the JET 708599K. This Jet belt disc sander is set up on an open steel stand.

What I like most about this machine is that it allows you to make a lot of adjustments. For example — you can adjust the belt sander to operate vertically or horizontally, and you can lock it at any angle in between.

This machine features a 1-1/2 HP motor that has more than enough power for most woodworking projects, small or large. The motor delivers up to 2500 SFPM.

Both of the worktables (disc & belt) can be adjusted to 45/90-degrees and both of them come with a miter gauge to help you while working with angled cuts. The sanding belt is designed to use its full length and you can easily do belt tracking adjustments by using dual thumb screws.

On the downside, this machine is pricey — that’s why I only recommend buying it if you are an experienced woodworker, or planning to become one. I don’t recommend buying it only for DIY projects.

Pros:

  • Powerful – 1-1/2 HP motor that delivers up to 2500 SFPM.
  • Adjustable Tables – You can adjust the worktables to 45/90-degrees.
  • Adjustable Belt Sander – You can adjust the belt to operate vertically/horizontally.
  • Easy Belt Tracking
  • 4-inch Dust Port
Cons:

  • Pricey


Best Combination Sanders — Buyers Guide

Belt disc sanders are combination power tools, these type of tools help you to save a lot of space and time. You have two machines in one.  The only downside about these tools is that it’s hard to find a good one.

If you own a small workshop then you need small tools. Except for small tools, another way to save up space is to buy combinations tools. One of the best combination tools is the belt and disc sander. They use the same motor. But, finding the best combination sanders is hard. There are a lot of different models available.

There are a lot of models available, but most of them will break after a few uses. In our best combination sanders list, we have listed 5 different models — all of them are good and durable.

But, if you don’t know which one to pick then here’s a few things that you should focus on

1.Motor Power

When it comes to power tools, especially belt disc sanders, motor power is the most important thing that you should check. You want to have a belt disc sander that has enough power to deal with almost every project.

Usually, these type of machines come with 2-5 Amp motor, this motor is more than enough for most of your woodworking projects.

Related Read — Best Rechargeable Sander

2. Disc Size and Speed

The disc and the belt are different features. So, when choosing a belt disc sander you will have to think about these features independently.

The disc size matters a lot. Usually, the disc size is 6-12 inches. Different woodworkers have different preferred size. Personally, I prefer larger disc sizes because it gives me more room to work with. But, a smaller disc will do just fine if you are working with small objects.

The speed is also important. Although, a lot of people like a fast disc, I prefer a slower one, especially if I need a detailed finish.

3. Belt Size and Speed

If you are working with larger objects then I recommend buying a sander that comes with a larger belt (at least 40-inch).

But, you have to keep in mind that the larger the belt is, the larger the machine will be. So, if you own a small workshop then make sure to find a space where you can put the machine.

As per speed, the faster the belt is, the faster it will remove the unwanted materials. So, a lot of speed is required for the belt.

Related Read — Best Sanders To Remove Paint

4. Versatility

Most of the time you will be working with different materials that come in different sizes, shapes. So, having a versatile machine will help you to deal with these types of materials easier.

Some machines come with more features than others. It’s recommended to find a machine that comes with the features that will come most in handy for you.

For example, some machines come with a small worktable, and some machines come with two tables that can be tilted up to 45-degrees. Which one do you think will help you more?

5.  Dust Collection

One thing’s for sure, sanding old wood will produce a lot of dust. As you may know, dust can be bad for your health. Most of the belt disc sanders available come with a dust collector system.

Some of them come with a dust bag that is attached to the tool, all of the dust that is produced will do inside that bag. And some come with a dust port where you have to connect another vacuum to the machine.

Both of these dust collectors have their own pros and cons. If you are choosing a belt disc sander that comes with a dust bag then make sure to check if the dust bag is small or big, you don’t want to stop every 5 minutes to empty the bag, right?

And if you choose a belt disc sander that comes with a dust port then make sure to check if it’s compatible with your vacuum or not.

Related Read — Best Sanders For Pallets

6. Brands

As I said before, the only downside about belt disc sanders is that it’s hard to find a good one. There are a lot of low-quality models available. But, to avoid low-quality machines you have to check the brand.

Most of these brands down below have been in the market for power tools for a long time, and have produced a lot of great and durable tools. The brands I suggest you go for are DeWalt, Rikon, Wen, Jet, Skil.

Related Read — Best Sander for Stripping Cabinets

What is a belt disc sander used for?

Belt disc sanders are great tools, they are very versatile and will help you a lot for your woodworking projects. There are two main parts that you should focus on — the belt and the disc.

Although they are on the same machine, they still are used for different things. The disc is mostly used for precious work and for corners. If you have to shape or sand your corners then the disc is your best friend.

On the other hand, the belt is used for larger surfaces. Most of the time, the belt is used to flatten the surfaces.

Personally, I think every workshop should have a belt disc sander — it helps you save a lot of space and time, and it will make your products better.

Related Read — Best Handheld Sander for Floors

Final Words

It doesn’t matter if you are a hobbyist or a professional woodworker — the belt disc sander is always a great tool to have in your workshop. You can do a lot of great things with it.

We have tried to give you all the pieces of information that you need to help you pick a belt disc sander. In our best belt disc sanders list, we have included 5 different models that come from high-quality brands.

If you don’t know which one to pick, then make sure to read the buyer guide where we listed all the things that you need to focus on before picking a belt disc sander.

And if you still don’t know which one to pick, then just go for the first pick. There’s a reason why we listed it first, right?

Learn More — How to Sand Tables?

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We’re a team of engineers, contractors, technicians, and woodworking experts who use power tools daily and share fact-based information, tips, and recommendations. At thetoolgeeks.com, we debunk myths about power tools and share methods to use them effectively.

The Tool Geeks Team

We're a team of engineers, contractors, technicians, and woodworking experts who use power tools daily and share fact-based information, tips, and recommendations. At thetoolgeeks.com, we debunk myths about power tools and share methods to use them effectively.

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