Belt sanders are a multi-use tool used for smoothing, shaping, and sharpening knives. If you own a knife, then after a certain time, it needs to be sharpened. Belt sanders are a good tool for sharpening knives.
There are different belt sanders available in the market. Many find it hard to select the best one for them. So, in this article, I tested & reviewed five belt sanders that are the best options for you and are available in the market at a budget range. This article will help you to select the best belt sander for knife sharpening.
Editor’s choice: WEN 6502T Disc Sander
Professional uses: Rikon 50-112 Disc Sander
User friendly: WEN 6502T Disc Sander
Premium choice: BUCKTOOL BD4801 Bench Belt Sander
5 Best Belt Sander For Knife Sharpening
Wen Belt Disc Sander
The WEN belt disc sander is a good choice, as it can sand, smooth, and remove all the rugged edges and splinters easily on the wood and lumber. This sanding machine includes both a 4-by-36-inch belt and a 6-by-6-inch disc. It has a 4.3 amp 1/2 HP motor, so users will get enough power from the machine, which can prevent it from bogging down under a heavy load.
The belt can tilt anywhere from 0 to 90 degrees, giving you a better experience while using it. It is supported by a hefty cast iron base that eliminates vibrations. The sanding disc is associated with a cast-aluminum work table. And this product comes with a 2 years warranty.
The following features are available in the wen belt sander
Adjustable belt
WEN 6502T has a belt that can be moved in horizontal or vertical positions depending on the work. The belt can be tilted 0 to 90 degrees. So, the users can do their work easily and comfortably.
Strength
6502T sander is made of sturdy cast iron. So this machine is strong enough, and the heavy cast iron base prevents vibration, which gives more accuracy and smoothness to work.
Belt and Disc sander( two in one)
This sanding machine comes with a belt and a disc sander. So it is a good choice for your work. The WEN 6502T has a 4-by-36-inch belt and a 6-by-6-inch disc. The two-in-one feature will be a better choice for users who like both belt and disk sanders.
Why I Like It
- The belt can be tilted anywhere from 0 to 90 degrees.
- A heavy iron base prevents any vibration.
- Table with a miter gauge.
- Dust collection port.
- Long-lasting tool.
- Saves time.
- Value for money.
Cons
- Have to switch out the spindle sander each time to convert it.
Metabo HPT Belt Sander
This Metabo HPT Belt Sander includes SB8V2 Belt Sander, Sanding Belt, and Dust Bag. It has a powerful 9 amp motor, 1,020-watt, so you can do the hardest sanding jobs with it. This sanding machine comes with a dust collection bag and helps to keep the working place clean.
The important thing is, this machine comes with a 5 years official warranty. The design of the Metabo HPT belt sander allows quick and even sanding.
Features, Metabo belt sander offers.
Powerful motor
A motor is an important part of this type of machine. This Metabo HPT Belt Sander has a 9 amp 1,020-watt motor, which is powerful enough to do the toughest sanding work.
Variable speed dial
This machine allows controlling the speed. The speed can be controlled from 820-1,475 ft/min. It is important for improved manageability during any work. So the users get a better experience from it.
Dust collection
It is important to keep your workplace clean. This Metabo HPT Belt Sander comes with a dust collection bag. This bag reduces airborne particles and keeps the area clean. There’s a left-side mounted dust collection bag, which improves corner sanding while reducing airborne particles.
Why I Like It
- Powerful motor.
- Control the speed.
- Greater visibility.
- Dust collection.
- Professional 5 years warranty.
- For quick and even sanding, the surface is designed to be flush.
- Value for money.
- Durable.
Cons
Position of the collection bag, but it successfully collects most of the dust.
BUCKTOOL BD4801 Bench Belt Sander
This BUCKTOOL BD4801 Bench Belt Sander can be a good choice for your work. It has a powerful motor that comes with 3/4 HP. The disc speed can hit a maximum of 3450 RPM, which provides efficient and durable output.
It has two work tables for the disc and the belt; the dust collector keeps your place clean. The cast aluminum base reduces vibration.
Features Bucktool Belt Sander Offers
Flexible belt
This BUCKTOOL BD4801 Bench Belt Sander has a 4×36-inch and 80-grit belt. This belt can be moved horizontally or vertically for various works. The worktable is made of cast aluminum and can be tilted from 0 to 45 degrees, which makes the machine more suitable for different work.
Powerful motor
This sanding machine comes with a powerful motor of 3/4 HP. This motor provides enough power to do some tough work. The motor shaft directly drives the belt and disc sander.
Professional design
The design of this machine is more suitable for the users. It has two work tables for both disc and sander. There’s also a miter gauge for fixing the angle of wood. It has two dust ports connecting with a dust collector, which is important for the workplace to be clean.
Why I Like It
- Maintenance-free.
- Powerful motor.
- Better design.
- Easy to use.
- Lightweight.
- Value for money.
- Stable disc.
Cons
- Position of the dust port. Have to hang the back of the sander to make room for the dust hose to connect to the port.
Rikon 50-112 Disc Sander
This machine has the style where most of the sanding would be done on the broad abrasive belt. The belt can adjust itself from horizontal to vertical to any place.
The support fence of the belt can be removed to get full access to the length of the belt. This machine comes with a heavy-duty base, a quick-release belt lever, and a handy sanding disc with a moving table for detailed work.
Features Rikon Disc Sander Offers.
Strength
This disc sander by Rikon is made of cast iron and steel. For this reason, it is quite strong and nearly unbreakable. As it is made of cast iron and steel, the base becomes heavy and reduces vibration, which helps to do work more accurately.
Amazing belt
The belt is amazing in this 4-Inch x 36-Inch Belt 6-Inch Disc Sander. The belt is fast and smooth, which helps to work smoothly and saves time. The belt can work at a maximum speed of 1900 SFPM. So it ultimately saves our time.
Amazing disc
The disc of the Rikon 50-112 is a direct drive for increased torque and reliability. The maximum speed of the disc is 3450 RPM. This speed can be low for some users.
Why I Like It
- Long-lasting tool.
- A heavy base reduces vibration and increases work accuracy.
- Increased torque and reliability.
- Powerful work.
Cons
- It can not be used for heavy-duty work.
XtremepowerUS 2-in-1 Belt & Disc Sander Station (4″ x 36″ inch)
XtremepowerUS sanding machine can be used for small & large sanding projects on different materials, as it has a powerful motor. From 0 to 90 degrees horizontally or vertically, or wherever in between, the belt can be changed.
This is a two-in-one sanding machine, so you can sand a variety of lengths and angles. In this machine, the disc sander comes with a dust collection port. So it can keep your workplace clean.
Features Xtremepower Belt & Disc Sander Offers
Two in one sanding machine
This sanding machine is equipped with a belt and a disc sander. So one can sand a variety of lengths and angles. This XtremepowerUS sander has a 4-by-36 inch belt and a 6-by-6 inch disc.
Adjustable table top & belt angle
XtremepowerUS sanding machine can move its belt. The 4-by-36-inch belt can be adjusted from 0 to 90 degrees. It can be moved in horizontal or vertical positions depending on the work. With the bevelling tabletop, sanding at an angle is easy and comfortable.
Versatile use
This sanding machine has a powerful motor, so one can use it for small and large sanding projects on different materials. This is a two-in-one sanding station. Woodworkers can use the disk for harsh edge work and the belt for smoothing different surfaces.
Why I Like It
- Two in one sanding station.
- Adjustable belt.
- Dust collection port.
- Table with a miter gauge.
- Powerful motor.
- Value for money.
Cons
- The disc and belt speed is low compared to other sanders.
Belt Sander Buying Guide
We have provided some of the best belt sanders above and hope you have already set up your mind to get one. But there are many belt sanders available that you might like. Before buying a belt sander, you must be aware of some things. We prepared this buying guide so that you can figure out which belt sander is best for you.
Motor Power
Motor power is an important thing for a belt sander. You should always select a high-power motor because it can easily sand on harder surfaces. Most belt sander’s motors run at 6 to 12 amps of power. If you are buying this tool for lightweight and occasional jobs, then go for lower power. But if you want to use it for heavy tasks, then go for the higher range.
Weight
When a belt sander gets bulkier, its weight increases. Heavy-duty belt sanders have a high-power motor that is generally heavier than a normal motor. The power rating is directly affected by the weight of the machine. So if you buy a belt sander for occasional work, then the weight should be less, and if you are buying for heavy-duty, then the weight may be a little high.
Size
The size of a belt sander is also an as important thing as its weight of it. The majority of the belt sanders are handheld. If the sander is bulky, it will be hard to control and operate.
Dust Collection
Most belt sanders that are available on the market come with a dust collection bag. This bag varies with the product. A high capacity dust bag means it can operate a long time before cleaning the dust bag. But if the dust bag is small, then you have to clean it frequently. So buy a belt sander that has a high-capacity dust collection bag.
Speed of Operation
This is one of the most important things for a belt sander. This speed means the speed at which the belt rotates. This is important because higher speed means you can do your work a lot quicker. Usually, the ideal speed for the belt sander is 3000 SFPM. But with maximum speed, you will have to be careful about speed adjustment as different materials require different speeds.
Warranty Period
Finally, we will suggest you choose a belt sander that has an official warranty. While doing work, there is a high chance that a part might get damaged, as it is a power tool. So, having a warranty will save you the extra cost to repair and even replacement in some major fault cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Belt Sander Good For?
A belt sander is a multi-purpose instrument for smoothing, sculpting, and grinding the edges of various materials. They are fast and easy to use and sharpen the blade pretty well. So, most of the time belt sander is used for sharpening knives.
Is a Belt Sander Better Than an Orbital Sander?
A belt sander is good for using in large materials, while an orbital sander is effective for small pieces and parts of furniture. For flat surfaces, a belt sander is perfect. An orbital sander can work from various angles.
What Is the Perfect Speed for a Belt Sander?
The speed of the belt sanders depends on some factors like the type of abrasive grain, workpiece material, and more. A safe speed in most cases is 3000 SFPM.
Conclusion
We all need to sharpen our knives to get the best output. So you need the right tool to sharpen your knives. In this article, I mentioned some of the best belt sanders for sharpening a knife. Now I hope you can select one for you. But if you want to go for other belt sanders, then there’s also a buying guide.
So I hope you got answers to your questions and selected the best belt sander for knife sharpening.
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