Bargain 4" belt sander

[ivan]

Inspired by the 100% ball/roller beraing quality of an earlier purchase, I thought I'd try the 4" belt sander from the same Silverline Hi-Spec range, available from Toolstation for just under £60, with a 3 yr g'tee.

It appears to be a (Chinese?) copy of the £200 Makita, with similar metal/plastic parts, even screw holes. The plastic is thick and rigid, matt finish - rather like my DW625 - and the metal castings appear of good quality, protected from an errant belt by ceramic inserts. The motor shows no signs of cost cutting. There is no feel at all of a 'diy tool'.

The belt runs with Makita like power at the same speed. Tracking is positive, and also like the Makita it will sand into a corner (belt flush with edge of tool). Certainly worth a look for occaisional use, helps put the most ££ into the key tools.

 

[George_N]

I have always thought of Silverline in the same category as Nu Tool (mostly c**p) so it is good to hear a positive recommendation. Maybe this should go in the tool prejudices thread.

 

[ivan]

George, for most of the Silverline range you could be right! But their HiSpec tools seem to be something different. My first buy was a sander polisher (basically a 7" very slow variable speed angle grinder for compounding finish), something I use occaisionally and I couldn't really justify £180 for a 'real' one. This 40 quid tool is all ball/roller with a well made powerful motor. The downside is probably no spares, but with a 3 year g'tee, and the very low purchase price, this is not too much of a problem.