100mm Belt and disc sander advice, PLEASE?

[Mizjazzi]

Hi there,
Looking for a replacement for a trusty performance power,Belt and Disc Sander Bench type, NT 46E-4.a real workhorse for 20 odd years, I need a replacement

These are the ones I have seen:

BDS150 6" x 4" Belt and Disc Sander record
Sealey SM14 Belt/disc Sander Bench Mounting 915 X 100mm/Ø150mm
Scheppach BTS900x 240V Bench Top Sander

We have never used any of these brands!

Are any of them an option, or does anyone have some advice on which brands are good solid workhorse type machines?

Help would be appreciated

 

[M P Hales]

I'm looking for a belt disc sander myself and the Fox F31-462 has been recommended.

Will be watching post to see whats suggested

M

 

[Waka]

Have you had a look on the Axminster site, they have a good selection, and their service is excellent.

 

[RogerP]

These are all badge engineered Asian machines of which there seem to be several basic types. For instance the Scheppach BTS900x and the Fox F31-462 are almost identical machines. The Sealey SM14 is an example of the type with the higher mounted or larger disc (which can limit the belt's ability for wider sanding). There are several versions of this type, the Axminster AS408 is similar. I have an old Draper (very like Axminster AWEBDS46) which has been working fine for the last 10 years. When I buy a replacement I would probably go for the next size up 9x6 like the Axminster AWEBDS610. They are not that much more expensive.

 

[Mizjazzi]

Thanks all,

The mention about the Sealy SM14 having a higher mounted/larger disc was something I did not pick up on, but would have been wrong for our use!
We hardly ever had/have need of the grinder anyway!
So thanks very much !!!

I looked up Axminster , and saw the AWEBDS46 MkII Belt & Disc Sander , the top guide will be very,very handy for our purpose,also good on price !
I have not seen that on the others?
We will probably go for that one as our space/storage and usage will not justify the larger size.
Again thanks and I will let you know what we decide and how it goes.

Mizjazzi

 

[Mizjazzi]

Ok,
'Googled' the Fox F31-462 as recommended to M P Hales.
After discussion we are rather looking at that as it has 500watt motor ,more heavy duty and a only +/- £20 difference.
We would forgo the top guide for that!
+ guarantee is 3 years as opposed to 1!
Has anyone dealt with Kendal Tools?
Mizjazzi

 

[Max Power]

No problem dealing with Kendal Tools. I've bought from them and had excellent service

 

[Mizjazzi]

Thanks for that,
After investigation, I have found that the fox has a stronger motor (500 watt).
I have also found a SIP sander with a 750 watt motor?

Anyone used SIP?????????????????

It has a guide on the top also, but is not the latest model?Cannot get that from Kendal though, as he only has the new model available,which has the disc in the way!
Almost the same price as the fox.

Have a great day today!
Mizjazzi

 

[carlb40]

All the lower end machines such as these will all be roughly the same as they come out of the same few factories. SIP are a well know brand.

As to the power of motors, you cannot really just go by the power alone. Quality also comes into it. I would rather have a high quality 500 watt motor over a cheap 1000 watt motor

 

[graduate_owner]

Regarding motor power - yes, a quality motor is far better than a higher powered cheap one, because cheap motors will have cheap bearings. These absorb power as well as being more likely to fail prematurely. The trouble is, you can't always tell if you're buying a cheap motor, unless you buy premium makes at premium prices. I think it's always a mistake to buy too cheap. Also make sure you compare like with like - some manufacturers specify input power whilst others specify output (i.e. useable) power.

K

 

[Mizjazzi]

Thanks to you all for this advice,

I get what you are saying, but am still not sure which is best for us. The prices are not too dissimilar, but we are sanding very hard wood, teak etc.
That is why we thought the higher wattage motors would be better.

Axminster class theirs as hobby machines, and stated that they are not for continual use!

Kendal tools stated that there is not much between the fox and scleppech, but motor on fox is 500watt, however he said that the body of the schleppech is better!
Another supplier stated that the schlppech is far better than draper or clack machines.

I have not much info on the SIP,it has both guides and a 750watt motor, and as stated is a well known brand here.
Fox and sip both state that their machines would be suitable for hard wood.
How do I know if they are stating (usable )power or output?
I am having to order over the internet as there are no stores to go to for comparisons, let alone to see them work!

 

[Watatoad]

I have used SIP tools and machines for years without any problems. I am currently running Black and Decker, Boxford, Clarke, Draper, Myford, NuTool, Record, Rexon, Scheppach, Sealey, SIP, plus a few renovated old Victorian and Edwardian machines and some home made machines. In so far as Disk and Belt sanders go I am currently using a SIP having discovered the limitations of the Sealey SM14 the Sealey SM914 is s better designed machine in so far as full belt use goes because the Disk on the SM14 gets in my way the trouble for me was that the SM914 just did not have the power I needed. I am about to make a new belt sander by using the old belt mounting with new better bearings and a 1hp power source.

By the by most of my work is with metal, as I make custom hunting knives often out of very hard surgical steels among other metals. So my machines do get a pounding at times although I use them for various woods again often very dense hardwoods for knife handles.

 

[Mizjazzi]

Hi Ho!

Thanks for the advice! I did buy the SIP in the end, back in End Feb. at least the disc sander does not get in the way of the larger bits of wood, which is great. (we never use the disc part anyway!).

Sill going strong and was good for the job. The wood was very hard, and it has performed well.
We will see how it goes with grinding down ( flattening) our bronze castings one of these days!

I understand perfectly about the knife stuff, as we used to work extensively with a knife-maker Kevin in South Africa, sometimes commissioning him to make knives for our castings, as handles. He and his partner Heather do great stuff in Damascus,which they forge themselves.

Again thanks for your kind advice.
Regards
__________
My life is 'A WORK IN PROGRESS'