Thought I’d give Ridgid a try. Nothing wrong with their shop vacs. And I know Rigid has got a few supporters. Most of what I have is either Bosch, Dewalt or Makita. But I needed a belt sander and Rigid had combo that came with a palm sander and carring bag ( couldn’t care too much about the bag).
got it home and the tracking screw came out and I had some trouble getting it back in. so brought it back for another. haven’t used it a whole lot, but now when I needed it at crunch time to sand few bad spots in the floor; problem with tracking screw again so belt would keep coming off.
The episode that followed at HD is a long story, so lets just say that it got returned and money refunded.
But It’s still crunch time. floor will be going in shortly and I need to get the bad spots out.
I also plan to use it for various carpenty needs including finish work.
am looking at the Bosch 3 x 21 . I think Dewalt got high rating in FHB report. Makita has one that will take 3″ or 4″ belt. is that the case with all 4″ sanders?
suggestions?
Replies
Go with the Porter Cable 4 x 24.
BIG amen on the PC4x24. You can ride it to the races!
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I had a Bosch belt sander. Worst power tool I ever had.
happy?
You know, a mistake I have made is assuming a brand makes a good "x" it also makes a good "y"....
If this is what you're looking at it's a POS --
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B0000223HB/ref=dp_primary-product-display_0/002-0197416-6248041?%5Fencoding=UTF8&n=228013&s=hi
happy?
That's the one... looks kinda delicate to me..but that is the one.
alrightythen,
Somwhere on the back of a shelf in my workshop I have an earlier version of that Bosch sander. It is branded Black and Decker and looks identical to the Bosch. Mine takes an odd-sized belt, it isn't 3 x 21.
No question about it. It's a POS
Ron
PC 3x21 is very stout. The 4x24 is a beast ... your grandkids will still be using it.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
The 4 x 24 can fill in for a floor sander if need be.
PC...ok....now to figure how to get one in my hands by tomorrow am. I need to find something I can get that's in stock.
Be honest I havn't seen the PC anywhere , but I would like to get my hands on one if I could.
Check HD & Lowes. I bought my PC 3x21 in Lowes about a year ago.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Right now I'm ticked at HD and I don't recall seeing the PC there when I 1st bought the Ridgid. Soon as I got my refund, I was out the door fast as I could. But I'm pretty sure they did't carry the PC. Canada's version of Lowes is Rona, and the only good name they carry is Makita. My local contractors tool store has got the Bosch that I mentioned and a Makita. My local lumber yard I know has got the Dewalt.
I will try phoning some tool stores in surrounding areas to see what they carry. I gotta get something today.
After the Bosch POS died I bought a PC at the local Fleet-Farm.
If ignorance is bliss why aren't more people
happy?
Try Sears if there is one in your area. Most Sear's in the States carry PC.
I think Home Depot stopped carrying the PC sanders when they brought in the Ridgids.My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard
The Makitas are great belt sanders. Go to Rona.
Regards,
Tim Ruttan
i have the makita 3x21and 3x24 both are great tools
Did some checking on net from tool houses in surrounding areas. They got the PC about an hour and half drive away from me ( In Vancouver) $300.00 My local lumber yard said they would give me a deal on the Dewalt. $238.00. another tool house has got it for $300.00.
Since I needed to get it in my hands fast I thought I'd give the Dewalt a try. works great seems to remove stock faster than the Ridgid. The Ridgid also broke 2 belts in short time while I did break a belt with the Dewalt, but only after extended wear on the belt.
The one comlaint I got with the Dewalt, is the dust collection is pathetic.
The Tool house nearest where I live will be having the Makita on sale for $179.00 if the dust collection is to much of an issue for me could always go for the makita. $300.00 is a lot which I don't mind spending if it has to be done. money's been going out of my pocket way to fast lately, so price does have an affect.
Alrightythen,I have a Makita 3x24 sander that I've had for 25 years. It will not die. I was told that selling these sanders to rental shops was how Makita got a toehold in the USA market for professional tools. My only regret was that I got the unit without a dust bag. I hope they are still made this well today.Bill
where in bc
if you are in the lower mainland try KMS or Summit
MY PC 3x21 takes serious lickins' and keeps on tickin'. I think the 3x rather than the 4x is a more all around sander. Quite a bit lighter and still seriously gets the job done. Plus the belts are quite a bit cheaper. I thought I blew up my 3x21 not long ago so I started shopping around for a new one and decieded on the 3x again....gave my old one one last chance. Took the thing apart, cleaned it out...kicked it a few times. put it back together and zarooommmmm. Back in business...whewww...that thing rocks...never even considered a different brand!
If Blodgett says Tipi Tipi Tipi, it must be so!
My favorite belt sander is the Makita 4x24. It is far and away the best that I have ever used, including the big Porter Cable and the Porter Cable with the worm gear (504?). It does not have variable speed, but I don't need it. Dust collection with a shop vac is very good, and it is quieter than others (but "quiet" is a relative term).
One thing to note about the Porter Cable. I have the 4x24 and the 3x21. Both are good tools. However, the 4x24 has a seemingly undersized bearing in the front roller. It is non-standard and fails more often that the full sized bearings in other belt sanders. I do not know if the 3x21 has a similar problem, as my copy has been fine.
Elliott
How bout overnight /24 hr delivery? You could take a long coffee break and it'd be there.
Forget the belt sander and rent a vibrating pad floor sander from HD. hook it up with 60 grit then have at the subfloor. The belt sander is a poor substitute. I did that with my subfloor before the laying of hardwood. Worked like a dream. Remember to re-set the nails after you sand.
As for beltsanders (hand held type) I have a 3x21 sears that won't die. Plus my fathers from his passing. Say what you will about sears but that was the best 36 bucks I ever spent back in 1979. Oh I did replace the switch a few years back. I think it was 9.00 in parts.