PerryGunn
Established Member
I've decided the time has come for me to buy a belt sander and, while I've narrowed down the choice, I'm hoping people can help me pick between them.
Most of the use will be either in my workshop or, for larger pieces, in the garden. The largest thing I'm likely to use them on in the near term is some oak stave worktops from our utility room that I need to 'refresh'. Then, in the spring, I'm starting my garden landscaping project which will involve constructing built-in bench seating etc. Whichever one I get, I'll be making a jig/frame to allow them to be used on their side/upside down to act as a bench sander.
Over the last couple of weeks I've managed, through a process of elimination involving budget, research, non-objective brand preference and the sacrifice of several virgins, to narrow my shortlist down to the Makita 9404 and the Makita 9903.
Both are available at (near enough to make no difference) the same price and, as far as I can tell, with the exception of size & weight, they are both built to the same spec - even down to using the same motor.
The main differences between the two seem to come down to
Size:
- 9404 is 4"/100mm using 24"/610mm belts
- 9903 is 3"/76mm using 21"/533mm belts
Weight:
- 9404 is 4.8Kg
- 9903 is 4.3Kg
My head says the 9903 will be large enough and easier to use as it's lighter, more compact and the smaller contact area should mean less chance of the motor bogging down, but I have a nagging doubt that I may end up missing some of the benefits that a 4" sander would offer such as a larger working area when bench mounted.
I need to get off the fence and make a decision so would appreciate comments & advice (but don't say 'buy both' as that's not an option
)
Most of the use will be either in my workshop or, for larger pieces, in the garden. The largest thing I'm likely to use them on in the near term is some oak stave worktops from our utility room that I need to 'refresh'. Then, in the spring, I'm starting my garden landscaping project which will involve constructing built-in bench seating etc. Whichever one I get, I'll be making a jig/frame to allow them to be used on their side/upside down to act as a bench sander.
Over the last couple of weeks I've managed, through a process of elimination involving budget, research, non-objective brand preference and the sacrifice of several virgins, to narrow my shortlist down to the Makita 9404 and the Makita 9903.
Both are available at (near enough to make no difference) the same price and, as far as I can tell, with the exception of size & weight, they are both built to the same spec - even down to using the same motor.
The main differences between the two seem to come down to
Size:
- 9404 is 4"/100mm using 24"/610mm belts
- 9903 is 3"/76mm using 21"/533mm belts
Weight:
- 9404 is 4.8Kg
- 9903 is 4.3Kg
My head says the 9903 will be large enough and easier to use as it's lighter, more compact and the smaller contact area should mean less chance of the motor bogging down, but I have a nagging doubt that I may end up missing some of the benefits that a 4" sander would offer such as a larger working area when bench mounted.
I need to get off the fence and make a decision so would appreciate comments & advice (but don't say 'buy both' as that's not an option
)
