Belt & Disc Sanders?

[Shadetree Callers]

I have the same craftsman sander that Al has and it also has served well.  The only problem I have with it is that the dust collection is horrible.  It doesn't help that I made a few unintentional "modifications" to the front belt cover....

Richard, how is the dust collection on that machine you posted?  It looks like a good piece of equipment.

Lee

The new Craftsman sander has a central dust collection port and it actually works 10 times better than the older style. One hose hokked up and it puts out very little dust in the air now .

[charlieparrish]

I also have worn out five or six  4" x 36" sanders...get a 6"x48" to start with and save yourself some time and money in the long run..I have one with a 1.5 HP motor and it has cut my sanding time by at least 50 per cent

[Frozen Crow]

I have the same craftsman sander that Al has and it also has served well.  The only problem I have with it is that the dust collection is horrible.  It doesn't help that I made a few unintentional "modifications" to the front belt cover....

Richard, how is the dust collection on that machine you posted?  It looks like a good piece of equipment.

Lee

The new Craftsman sander has a central dust collection port and it actually works 10 times better than the older style. One hose hokked up and it puts out very little dust in the air now .

I think that mine used to be better.  I accidently burned throught the belt cover one time after I changed belts and the tracking was way off.  Now it sprays dust all over the shop....

[HelsbysCustomCalls]

I have the same craftsman sander that Al has and it also has served well.  The only problem I have with it is that the dust collection is horrible.  It doesn't help that I made a few unintentional "modifications" to the front belt cover....

Richard, how is the dust collection on that machine you posted?  It looks like a good piece of equipment.

Lee

It has no dust problems at all with a collector hooked up. I use mine in my basement, and have zero issues with it!! 

[Ghost Maker Calls]

I have a 6x48 Delta with a 1 hp motor, dust port works great.  This one will run flat or you can raise the belt sander vertical.

[fargobox]

Fellas,  I took Richard Helsby's recommendation (don't worry Richard I won't hold you responsible for anything! ) and bought the King Canada belt/disc sander.  While I did look for a couple months on Craistlist and some other sites for a used one none surfaced of the size, quality or price I was looking for and I just couldn't wait any longer.  The King seems to be solid in all respects and the 6" x 498" belt was a good decision.  Plenty of flexibility in rasing and lowering the belt--like all machines they have their own little quirks and it is up to the operator to work them out--that's part of woodworking.  I do wish the disc was larger, say a 12" but it'll due.  The dust collection is super and my shop is also in the basement and my wife even noted that it was very clean

[JLCcalls]

I've got a craftsman 4x36 and it's pure junk.  Had to have one in a hurry and bought a Ryobi 4x36 from HD.   I thought this one was junk too until I got a GOOD drive belt for it and now it is an awesome little sander.   

[Redbeard]

I have this one too and all but for the switch going out it's been a champ. Bought another Skil brand, less rpm for near finish sanding, wouldn't recommend the Skil because of the hassle of changing sheets. I like the delta.

I have a 6x48 Delta with a 1 hp motor, dust port works great.  This one will run flat or you can raise the belt sander vertical.

[longbeard48]

After going through a couple of Craftsman 4 X 36 sanders (bushings in the front roller kept failing) I recently purchased a 6 X 48 from Harbor Freight.  Since it had no dust collection, I made a collector and mounted an old vacuum cleaner underneath and wired it up to come on when the sander was turned on.  I've used it for several months now and have had zero problems.  Total cost was about $180 and that 6 X 48 is great! I still am using one of the little Craftsmans for the final grit.  I reworked the front roller, replacing the bushings with sealed bearings set in JB Weld.  Laugh if you want to, but she's a sweet little sander, now!