According to belt-sander manufacturers, the biggest sellers are the 3-in. by 21-in. models, so we decided to take a close look at what’s available. The good news is that we didn’t find any glaring performance problems, which made it difficult to pick clear winners. To rate stock-removal and dust-collection effectiveness, each sander and sample board were weighed before and after a timed run. At the end, the difference between the weight of the board and the machine (plus dust bag) indicated how much sawdust was collected, expressed as a percentage. The Bosch sander is a compact, well-balanced machine with a convenient variable-speed control and a comfortable front handle. It can sand flush to an adjacent surface on the right side of the machine. Stock-removal rate, however, was fairly slow. Dust collection effectiveness was 89%.
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Bosch 12V Trim Router
Trim routers are easier to handle when you cut the cord, and the Bosch’s compact, curvy shape and unique base give it unmatched control.
The clear winner here is Festool’s CT 48 Dust Extractor. It has amazing capacity relative to its size, and unmatched suction power. It packs in a number of subtle but very helpful design touches, like a clever foot brake and easy hose and cord storage.
While this sander is among the least expensive models in the test, its performance ranks among the best. The stock removal was excellent, and dust collection was solid when used with a vacuum. It handles really smoothly, too, and has a tall body that fit my hand nicely whether I was holding it from above or around the waist.
With its graceful curves, cabriole legs, and ornamental back splat, a Queen Anne side chair is a bucket list build for many woodworkers. Dan Faia had a very specific Queen…
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