Belt Sander Recommendations

Looking to buy a new belt sander. Usually buy DeWalt stuff, but 433 isn't getting much love for reviews on different websites. Looking into Ridgid, Porter Cable, Makita, Bosch, ect. I would rather spend a little more upfront to ideally keep it longer.

What's everyone's thoughts?

 

I have a Bosch and it works well. Most of my tools are Makita and they all work well.

Hope this helps.

 

...ended up going to Harbor Freight last night and bought a $30 belt sander. It's a Chicago 3x21, , and it's onsale from $40.

I'll try to let everyone know if it was a good deal or not. I'm sure the belts will end up costing more for this project than the actual sander.

 

Porter Cable all the way. I got 2 of the 4x24's. They are great and last forever.

 

if you plan on using it
ALOT- Porter Cable.
Occasionally-Black and Decker
Once-Harbor Freight

 

i have had a couple of different craftsman sanders.....work pretty well for me,for what i use them for, and havent had any problems with them.

 

Update: The $30 Harbor Freight died on me. Past 30 days, so it's in the trash. I got my money out of it. and given the same circumstance I would buy one again. I re-did my back deck.

If I was sanding anything that I don't plan on replacing in 3 years, I definately wouldn't buy it again.

 

If your ever going to get another one i would go with the makita, i've got one that's at least 10 yrs old and it still runs like a champ. My smaller black and decker died after 2yrs.

 

My dad has been doing custom cabinets for over 30 years. His porter cables he bought back in the day are still the ones he uses now. The only thing he has ever done is clean them, and change the power cord when they bend all to hell. Anything at harbor freight is junk. It may be ok for Harvey Homeowner. Nut it will never last. Most of the brands these days use cheap plastic parts and nothing lasts like it used to. But for sanders and routers, all my dad uses is porter cable. Dewalt for most other apllications. Just my $0.02...