Replies

1. 
   roc | Sep 27, 2008 09:48am | #1

   >Bosch 1674V

   I did not find that one

   I have the Bosch 1276DVS which is the variable speed and works well.

   http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/ToolGuide/ToolGuidePDF.aspx?id=2911

   It is a nice tool. When i was learning to use it I marked the balance center point side to side and front to back and also the effective foot print. This helped prevent rounding of edges and gouging. The balance point is a little off center side to side.

   One thing to be aware of. I work metal as well as wood. The blue belts are best for metal. The four inch wide belts tend to be a special order item. The locally available blue belts are three inch wide.

   I put a lot of thought into looking at all that was available. This was many years ago.

   Get at least two of all the belts including the very coarse ones.

   Edited 9/27/2008 3:00 am by roc

   
   

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   Edited 9/27/2008 3:59 am by roc

2. 
   BrianDerr | Sep 28, 2008 06:05am | #2

   If I could do it all over again, I'd buy almost any name brand I could easily attach a shop vac to. I've got a DeWalt 3x21 and love everything about it (especially the belt tracking and power), except the 'dust collection'. I just want a simple circular port no gimmicks!

   Brian

3. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Sep 28, 2008 04:41pm | #3

   I don't use a belt sander in my shop period as mine is relegated to outside work on decks.. etc. But.. I sold a PC 4" which was a battle-ship and very aggressive but very heavy. I gave away a Bosch 4" to a dis-abled returning vet from Iraq here on this forum. Good sander but getting the tracking set was a PITA IMO. Once set.. it was fine but you had to be patient and fiddle to get it zeroed.

   So.. it left me with a cheap I purchased before either of those two. The Ryobi 3 x 21 which has been put through the mill and survived with flying colors. This one was made about 7 years ago and I cannot tell you if the quality is the same or not.. but it is aggressive.. light-weight and can be used very easily upside down compared to the PC and Bosch I had. Keep in mind it is a 3" compared to those 4" ers.

   Ryobi is Ryobi but I can tell you that one is excellent along with a $99 spindle sander I purchased around 5-6 years ago. I have thought of replacing the spindle sander with a Jet or Steel City but have really just found no reason to do so at this point. If that one bites the dust I might move up and then again at $99 I might just try another one.

   Sarge..