What belt sander?

[brianhabby]

Hi all,

What belt sander would you recommend as I might have to replace mine soon.

I've had a B&D KA85E for a few years now and the roller that drives the sanding belt has lost its grip so as soon as the tool is put under load the belt slips. I checked today and the required part is no longer available.

If I can figure out how to get the roller off the machine I might try fitting a series of elastic bands of the appropriate size to give it back its rubber coating.

What do you guys think?

regards

Brian

 

[joiner_sim]

I hate to sound stupid or undermining, by asking the obvious, but is the TRACKING/ TENSION adjustment set corretly and not just come loose?
If you don't know what I mean, in the picture below it is that black knob at the front side of the sander.

 

[speed]

i have a 100mm wide makita and its spot on,
depend what you can spend really the makita is 200 quid that i got, you can get a smaller makita for 100 or a festool for 400

 

[tigerturnings]

I have a 3" Makita which I like very much. It's the model 9903. I've not yet given it a large amount of use but it's got decent power, nice balance, and overall I'd highly recommend it, if it's in the size/price range that you're looking at.

 

[brianhabby]

Simon,

That was my first thought but this machine has automatic tensioning and tracking. It's definitely the roller.

When new the roller in question has a thin rubber coating which gives grip to the inside of the sanding belt. This rubber coating has worn away so not only is the roller ever so slightly smaller in diameter but it also has a very shiny, slippery surface, which is why it can't grip the belt.

I'll watch and see what people are using on here

regards

Brian

 

[Digit]

Assuming that it is possible swap the driver for the driven roller.

Roy.

 

[Yetty]

I had a Makita 9404 belt sander, bought it based on strong reputation.
Very nice and neat auto tracking, but I just couldn't find a sanding frame.

So sold the Makita and got a Ryobi EBS-1310V, also 100mm wide, but including a "Sanding Frame".
(I think there was also a dewalt with a frame option, but the whole package was a lot lot more cash.)

Possibly not the same class of machine, but I really wanted the sanding frame, so Rhyobi won.
I don't use the belt sander daily, so the quality is just fine, and it's definately not rubbish.
The frame isn't a must have, but it helps me make panels/worktops more flat, rather than less.
Something to think about...

 

[brianhabby]

Roy,

Good thinking but they are completely different

Yetty,

Seems like another vote for Makita. My current B&D one has a sanding frame but I don't think I've ever used it in all the years I've had it, so that won't be a priority when I'm ready to buy.

regards

Brian

 

[9fingers]

Would a piece of an old bike inner tube fit onto your roller.
even if you bought a new tube you would get about 25 replacements out of it!

Bob

 

[JonnyD]

If you can find someone locally who services printing machines they may be able to re coat the rubber roller.

I find the sanding frame quite usefull on my festool belt sander for keeping large areas as flat as possible.

Jon

 

[OPJ]

Another vote for the Makita 9404, here.

 

[Jonesy]

You might be able to buy a replacement roller - if you have a look at
http://www.mtmc.co.uk

they list spares for Black and Decker belt sanders, they don't appear to have model KA85E listed but they do have KA85 Types 1 ,2 & 3 and KA85EK Types 1, 2 & 3 listed. Driven roller costs ~£4.

 

[Tom K]

I have the 9404 and find it excellent. There is a sanding frame available as an accessory I think mine was about £30 from Lawsons

 

[The Shark]

Hi Brian,
I have a 3" Makita which has done me well over the years.
Don't know if you can get a sanding frame for it, I have never found the need for one.
It has the ability to be sat on the workbench upside down if you foresee a use for this.
I sanded some oak panels for a tv cabinet once, and I think it would be fair to say a 4" might have been more useful in those circumstances, but it all depends what you want to make and your budget.

Hope this helps

Malc

 

[brianhabby]

Thanks for the link to Miles Tools Jonesy, I'll contact them and see what they say.

JohnyD,

I don't know of anyone locally who does this and if Miles Tools can do a replacement roller for £4 that would be the best option I think.

9fingers,

What a great idea. It worked - for about two minutes. I cadged an old inner tube from my local bike shop and had a right struggle getting it onto the roller as it was so tight. I was convinced it was going to work but when I put it to use the rubber just slid off. I might be able to glue a piece on if I could find an appropriate glue.

I finished up roughing the drive roller with a piece of sandpaper while the machine was running and that seems to have done the trick, although I'm sure it will only be temporary. Once the roughness wears off I'm likely to finish up with a roller that is not only nice and shiny again but an even smaller diameter.

regards

Brian

 

[9fingers]

Sorry to hear that did not work. I thought it was a super wheeze too!

Maybe the glue will help. Possibly needs a harder rubber.

Ah well win some - loose some!

Bob