Replies

1. 
   FrankB89 | Feb 15, 2004 08:54am | #1

   I've had a PC 4 X 24 for years that is pretty reliable and bulletproof, but I tend to agree with you that it feels a little clunky. 

   However, most of the cabinet installers and finishers I work around also use the PC, except for one guy who has an old Monkey-Wards sander that he's quite fond of.

   When I bought my PC sander, it was in a big tool store with a wide array of good brands... the owner recommended the PC over the others and I haven't been sorry.

    

2. 
   davidmeiland | Feb 15, 2004 09:14am | #2

   I just bought a Dewalt, mainly because it was the only decent one in stock at the Lowe's I went to when I needed one. It's 3x21, and I think it's the DW433, the only one they make...? The handle is angled perfectly for my grip. From the time I test-grabbed the demo model in the store to the time I put it in my cart was less than 10 seconds. Also, it has NO kick when you pull the trigger, so you can start it while it's sitting on the work and it does not dig in at all. It has a small wheel in the front so that you can use the belt to scribe tighter inside shapes with it.

   The last one I had was a Bosch 3x24. It was very reliable but ergonomically not great (wrong angle to the handle for me) and it had a lot of kick when started, so that I always started it in the air and then set it down. You can get good at doing that.... if you have to. Also, the belt travelled too much on the Bosch and I often had to tweak the knob to correct it.

   Sure don't like the yellow color much, but I've also got a DeWalt 744 table saw and it's great tool. I've got a couple of their cordless drills and like the tools but the batteries seem to wear out quickly.

   Anyway, good sander... try one.

3. 
   earl06 | Feb 15, 2004 04:17pm | #3

   I like the makita 3x18. it's light, works well and the belts are easily available. bossman has the 3x21 porter cable and it's a little heavy plus the dust collector is in an awkward place.

   earl

   "He who xxxxs nuns will later join the church." -The Clash

4. 
   Sphere | Feb 15, 2004 04:39pm | #4

   Spiritual?  You gotta be nuts. A beltsander is a demon reminding you for past errors..they are made to be Hell...loud, potentially hazardous to what you are sanding, armwrenching get up and go..heavy..the list goes on. Tho' I have used PC's for 20 yrs. (I'm on my second one, after rebuilding the first one 3 times) I still try to find ways to do things that will not require an extended mind meld with one...don't get me wrong..I use'm ..great for what intended for..shortbursts of activity, and really cool if ya mount it sideways with a table for edge sanding..and don't for get while it's plugged in sharpen everything ya can get your hands on.

   View Image

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations. 

5. 
   NickNukeEm | Feb 15, 2004 05:04pm | #5

   I have two Bosch belt sanders, a 3x24 sucker in the shop that weighs in at a close to a metric ton, and a smaller 3x21 inline that I use on site.  It is light and can get into places the top mounted sanders can't. 

   Whichever one you choose, make sure you get some sort of dust control with it.  If it can be attached to a shop vac, so much the better.  Belt sanders rock, tho they produce scads of sawdust.  I like to put the running sander on the subfloor, let go and see how far it'll run.

   Isn't there some kinda annual contest for belt sanders, like a drag race or something?  Think it's out west.  May have to buy a plane ticket, take my 3x24 with me...

   I never met a tool I didn't like!
1. 
   brownbagg | Feb 15, 2004 05:16pm | #7

   I have four belt. a PC that works good but boy is it heavy in weight. 3x21. a skil that real light, good for finish work 3x18 and two crafrtmans, one twenty years old and the other pretty new. My favorite is the old craftman 3x21, lot of power, felt good. Least favorite, the new craftman 3x21, just feels cheap. It was the replacement for the old, didnt like it so got the old repaired.

2. 
   AdamB | Feb 16, 2004 09:44pm | #16

   Belt sander races

   http://www.north-liberty.com/fundays2002/beltsanderraces.htm

   http://www.monashee.com/recreation/expo.html

1. 
   NickNukeEm | Feb 16, 2004 11:31pm | #17

   Cool.  Thanks.

   Where the heck is North Liberty?

   I never met a tool I didn't like!

1. 
   AdamB | Feb 17, 2004 12:02am | #18

   http://www.north-liberty.com/

   Somewhere south of Cedar Rapids

   http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?ed=M7tNO.p_0TqT&csz=north+liberty%2C+iowa&country=us

1. 
   NickNukeEm | Feb 17, 2004 06:21am | #20

   Ahhh, I-o-way.  Midwest way.  Someone once said the mid west was made up of a bunch of boring states that begin with a vowel.  Can't be true if they race belt sanders.  Don't they also drag race riding tractors out I-o-way, too?

   I never met a tool I didn't like!

2. 
   DougU | Feb 17, 2004 06:35am | #21

   Nick

   Yea they do race ridding mowers, real cultural hub!

   You dont get that kind of entertainment in your bigger cities.

   PS, if your thinking of going to the belt sander races dont show up with your stock belt sander, you wont last long!

   Edited 2/16/2004 10:36:48 PM ET by Doug@es

3. 
   Homewright | Feb 17, 2004 01:59pm | #22

   I've got the Bosch 4 x 24 and love it.  It's a real horse on the job although I try not to get into overhead with it.  I'd look like a bald Atlas if I did.  It's great for heavy grinding and flips on its back for sharpening etc.  I think it's always done well in the 'races' too.

   And for those boring midwestern states, does anyone know where punkin chunkin started?  Talk about too much time on your hands...

6. 
   stonebm | Feb 15, 2004 05:12pm | #6

   The Porter Cable 321VS (I think) is great if you're looking for a 3x21 with variable speed and good dust collection.

7. 
   BossHog | Feb 15, 2004 06:06pm | #8

   I have a 4X24 PC like Notchman. Great machine, if maybe a bit heavy. But the weight doesn't bother me.

   I definitely like the bigger 4X24 surface area. Wouldn't want a smaller one.

   Your ridiculous little opinion has been noted.

1. 
   Novy | Feb 15, 2004 10:34pm | #9

   Another vote for the 4x24 PC for big horizontal surfaces ( The weight actually does alot of the work).

   For odd & sometimes one handed work I love my 3x21 Elu variable speed(German made) which I believe has been reincarnated as a Dewalt.On a hill by the harbour

2. 
   JohnSprung | Feb 20, 2004 04:23am | #23

   Yet another PC 4x24 here.  My first, so I can't really offer a comparison.  But it seems rugged, and removes lotsa material quickly.

   -- J.S.

8. 
   NickNukeEm | Feb 15, 2004 11:29pm | #10

   I forgot, I actually have a third Bosch, the small sucker, 1.5 inch wide belt; it's great for detail stuff.

   I never met a tool I didn't like!
9. 
   calvin | Feb 16, 2004 05:01am | #11

   Rockwell 3x24 silverline.  Hey, I'm old and not known as an abuser of tools.  Matches nicely with the 315.  Like the designer would say "it just screams" experience.  Yeah right.

   Mike, can you rig up a belt sander race for that fest?

   Not that I want to lug that with the corn, the horseshoes and a bucket of real bocce balls.

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   Quittin' Time

1. 
   wrudiger | Feb 16, 2004 09:45am | #13

   All right, another Rockwell owner!  My 4x24 is a real tank, I've spent whole days behind the beast cleaning up old redwood siding, etc.

   Depends on how you will use the tool, but I sure do like the wider belt.

10. 
    briankeith | Feb 16, 2004 06:55am | #12

    I have a little Craftsman 3x21. But I'm not recommending it.

    Most of what i use it for is scribing post form tops, or sheet plastic.

    It is pretty light, has a good front handle for one handed holding, oh and a lock on button. I wouldn't own one with that feature.

    One other thing that makes it very handy is a flat top, so that you can clamp it down upside down.

    I would recommend that you spend a little time with the different ones in your hands. Find the one that feels the best to you, because like one of the other guys said, they are not the most fun tool to use.

    You didn't mention what you were planning to use it for, so have to ask.

    Do you have a Bosch Random Orbit Sander yet? If not think about it.

    I have one that I just love, What a tool!

    View Image
1. 
   wrudiger | Feb 16, 2004 09:46am | #14

   Ditto on the Bosch RO!

11. 
    Brudoggie | Feb 16, 2004 07:32pm | #15

    Trimnailer,

     I've got 2 PC's. The 3x21 &4x24 variable speeds. Like them both. The 4x24 is a bit heavy though.

     Brudoggie

12. 
    steve | Feb 17, 2004 04:31am | #19

    i'va had 2 ryobi (yeah yeah, i know!!) be321 for 12 years or more, and i use them for scribing countertops and cabinet parts everyday

    body of the machine is maybe a 1/2 inch wider than the belt, so great for tight spaces, nice and light but plenty of power and i use 36 grit belts

    caulking is not a piece of trim