Axminster AWEBDS46 Belt & Disc Sander

[Chems]

I recently bought one of these utilizing the 10% off email club voucher which Richard kindly sorted out for me. Got some extra belts and discs and got it all assembled today.

The actual assembly of this machine is a bit flimsy in places, some bolts are impossible to tighten and a few threads and holes dont line up Ive had to do quite a bit of filing to get it all together but thats ok.

Once together, its an impressive little machine indeed, really whips through the material. My only problem is dust extraction my shop vac doesnt seem to have enough suck to get any dust down it, even thou its 1200W I think it may be a bit clogged. Good quality mitre fence and track as well.

But for anyone in the market for a smaller disc and belt sander which can be set up vertically then I'd recommend this for £69.95 you cant go wrong.

 

[Harbo]

Well I hope it performs better than the similar Perform one I bought a couple of years ago from APT.
Impossible to secure tables, wheel wobbles, belt stops under pressure, wobbles all over the place - possibly the worse thing I ever bought - put me off the Perform brand for life!

I trust APT have improved things with this one?

Rod

 

[Chems]

The table for the belt isnt the best, its defiantly not the most sturdy but it does seem to do the job ok. Im thinking I may build my own tables for it into a stand at some point.

The planer I bought which used to be a Perform type thing got bad reviews but the Axminster version is really perfect. Best tool I have!

 

[OPJ]

I totally agree with Rod on the old Perform model (not even eBay will help me get rid of it!), but it sounds as though they may have improved on things with the Axminster version.

 

[jonbikebod]

I got one in yellow livery and took it back within the week and paid the extra for the full blown version with a bigger disk. ‘Occasional use’ isn’t the point, it needs to do the job in the first place and mine didn’t.
Jon.

 

[Chems]

Just came across this as I was looking for a link to cheaper Fine Filter cartridge for my HVLP extractor. Thought I'd update it. After a week or so of work it broke, the table snapped off or something and the belt kept stalling. So I sent it back for a refund. Whats outrageous is I bought it for £60 something when I wrote this thread, Axy want £91 for it now!

 

[wizer]

I've looked at it a few times in store and always been put off by the build quality. It's a shame, there doesn't seem to be a good quality belt\disc sander at this end of the market. It's not until you get to the floor standing models that they get any good.

 

[Mike Wingate]

I am after a 4" belt sander, but this model seemed underpowered. I have had my eye on an Erbauer from ScrewFix, but they have been out of stock.

 

[Harbo]

Sadly I did not do the same as Chems and send it back!

I tried using it again the other week - it causes more damage than good.
An absolute pile of C**p!

Rod

 

[Shultzy]

Wizer, you have a lathe, why don't you use a face plate and a piece of mdf with sandpaper glued on. Make a table and attach it to the bed. I've had one on mine for years.

 

[jedmc571]

I recently got the Record version, it's a good little machine.

 

[murphy]

Hi, does anybody know if I can buy the JET Disc Sander JDS12 in the UK, or recommend another good make, it will be mainly used for sanding the ring segments for segmented turning, I already have the Record DS300 but have found that the disc must not be truly flat as it is impossible to get two half rings to fit. I have made a disc to fit the lathe from MDF and that works great, two half rings meet spot on, but it is a lot of hassle to fit it to the lathe with good dust extraction so I would like a good disc sander, 12 inch minimum, any advice.
Patrick

 

[carlb40]

Yes according to a quick google for that machine.

http://www.mwmachinery.co.uk/sanders-va ... ander.aspx

http://www.tewkesburysaw.co.uk/product/ ... sc-sander/

So i would pop onto the Brimarc website and go through the dealer list

 

[Aden30mm]

I don't know if you can still obtain a Delta (model 31-460), but the one I have has been a pretty good little performer, very solid simple engineering. The sanding table is accurate and easily set up.

I gave it a deep clean (the only maintenance in over 10 years) three and four weeks ago, and the strip and rebuild was straightforward operation.

 

[onlinename]

Hey Chems,

I bought this one last week: I assume it's the same model as yours. Axminster Hobby Series AWEBDS46 MkII Belt & Disc Sander

I paid 113 GBP for it. I have to say I am not really satisfied, I mean I know you get what you pay for but I believe the build quality is very bad.
I am not quite sure what to do with it, I mean its a great little machine as far as performance but it needs a lot of upgrading work. That little table attached to the disc sander is a joke to say the least, extremely unreliable with only that little knob to control..

I also had a problem with the bolts on the underside of the table to bolt properly in, very poor construction..

I'm torn as to weather to upgrade it myself somehow or send it back :/ Is there anything else out there for that kind of price though?

 

[RogerP]

I've had the Draper variant which has the slightly larger 8" disc for many years and it's given good service. I've replaced a few of the rubber and plastic bits and the drive belt over the years but spares are easily available and cheap.

None of these economy machines are particularly accurate out of the box but with a bit of initial fettling and care in use they will work okay - mine just keeps going on and on.

Here's one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRAPER-50...Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item416f52d8f5