Best Portable Belt Sander - Guide and Reviews
If you’re looking to buy a new belt sander that you can bring with you no matter where you go, then you’ve come to the right place as this review post is specifically dealing with everything you need to know to buy the best portable sander. In a lot of cases, some people know what type of sander they want but they might now know what some of the best ones are and what they should look for when it comes to buying one. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place!
In this review post, you’re going to learn about all of the important considerations you need to keep in mind so that you can purchase the best portable belt sander when you are ready to. Additionally, you’re going to find some of the top product recommendations so you can save yourself sometime and find which belt sander is going to be best out of those products. Either way, you’ll find everything you need to prepare yourself for the purchase of your new portable belt sander.
5 Best Portable Belt Sander
Picture | Name | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | WEN 6321 Belt Sander | |
 | ||
 | ||
 | Ridgid ZRR2740 Belt Sander | |
 | Hitachi SB8V2 Belt Sander |
Top 5 Best Portable Belt Sander Reviews
1. WEN 6321 7 Amp Heavy Duty Belt Sander with Dust Bag
Editor Rating:
If you’re hoping to get away with not spending a ton of money while still buying one of the better products that you can find, you might find that this is one of the best sanders that you are able to find. This particular motor is a seven amp motor and has a belt that rotates over 13 feet per second so fast and accurate sanding results at all times.
Additionally, it comes with a compact design that weighs just 6 pounds in general so it makes it easier for you to use and greatly limits the fatigue that you might experience when you are using it.
In order to help minimize the cleanup once you are finished using the sandr, there is a dust bag that can easily be attached and detached to help make sure you get the cleanup you want and need. If you want to have continuous sanding without constantly holding down the trigger, there is a lock-in safety that will give you a comfortable grip at all times. Last but not least, you can rest easy knowing that this sander is backed by a two-year warranty in case anything goes wrong.
PROS
- Seven amp motor
- Belt rotates 13 feet per second
- Compact design
- Detachable dust bag
- Lock safety for continuous sanding
CONS
- Not great for heavy usage
2. PORTER-CABLE 362V 4-Inch by 24-Inch Variable Speed Belt Sander
Editor Rating:
If you’re looking for something that’s a little more expensive and can be used for more heavy duty applications, this is going to be one of the better choices for you, especially when you compare it to some of the ones that are mentioned on this list. This particular sander packs in the same professional power you would find on other models thanks to the powerful 12 amp motor which is located over platen to give you the best performance and balance that you can find.
This particular sander is also designed to give you flush sanding up to vertical surfaces so that you get the best results you can possible find in a sander. It also comes with a variable speed dial so that you can easily adjust from the handle of the sander so it can adjust anywhere from 1,000 to 1,500 RPM. Last but not least, you’re going to enjoy a quick-release belt-change lever as well as a dust bag to help collect everything that it might leave behind.
PROS
- 12 amp motor
- Flush sanding
- Variable speed dial
- Quick release belt-changing lever
CONS
- One of the more expensive models
3. Makita 9903 8.8 Amp 3-Inch-by-21-Inch Variable Speed Belt Sander
Editor Rating:
This particular sander is going to be very similar to the one that you found reviewed above because it is more of a heavy-duty, professional type of belt sander rather than one of the lower end models that is mainly used only for light jobs around the home.
It comes with a very powerful motor at eight amps of power and it operates quietly as well at only 85 decibels so you don’t have to worry about damaging your hearing while using the sander. You’re also going to find that the variable speed dial helps to control the speed of the sander based on the application you are currently using.
Furthermore, you won’t have to worry about making adjustments to the belt throughout the process thanks to the auto-tracking belt that helps to ensure it stays on track at all times. The innovative design helps to sand flush to the wall and the front grip is incredibly comfortable so that you can continuously use the product without any discomfort.
PROS
- Eight amp motor
- 85 decibels
- Variable speed control
- Auto-tracking belt system
- Comfortable grip
CONS
- Quality could be better
4. Ridgid ZRR2740 6.5 Amp 3-in X 18-in Heavy Duty Variable Speed Belt Sander
Editor Rating:
If you care about the brand of the sander you are going to buy and you want to do whatever you can to try and get the best one that will meet all of your needs, this is going to be the best one for you.
It excels in the dust collection aspect thanks to the twin fan dust collection system that uses one fan to cool the motor while using the second one to help collect the dust in the most efficent manner possible. Additionally, the soft grip handle helps to give you increase comfort and reduced vibration overall.
You’re going to enjoy a 12 foot rubber cord that allows you to bring the sander with you even further and it can also be wrapped on the convenient cord wrap provided on the sander itself. The automatic belt tracking helps to make sure the belt stays on track at all times while the 6.5 amp motor helps provide you with all the power you’re going to need.
PROS
- High efficiency dust collection
- Soft grip handles
- Reduced vibration
- Automatic belt tracking
- 6.5 amp motor
CONS
- Could be slightly more powerful
5. Hitachi SB8V2 9.0 Amp 3-Inch-by-21-Inch Variable Speed Belt Sander
Editor Rating:
Last but certainly not least on this list of products is this particular sander from Hitachi. It comes with a strong 9 amp motor and it has a variable speed dial that can easily adjust from 820 feet per minute to 1,475 feet per minute to help make sure you get the perfect speed based on what you are doing. Additionally, you’re going to enjoy the soft grip on the surface to ensure that it is comfortable and secure for you to hold at all times.
The tracking window on this sander helps to make sure you can see the entire surface you are sanding while you are in the process of sanding to help make sure that you get the best results possible. The dust collection system is excellent and helps to greatly reduce the airborne chemicals and particles so your work area stays clean as can be. Lastly, the V-belt is wear-resistant and helps to drive the sander while extending the service life as well.
PROS
- 9 amp motor
- Variable speed dial
- Soft grip on all surfaces
- Tracking window while sanding
- Wear-resistant V-belt
CONS
- Very heavy
- Gouges surfaces too easily
As you can see, it might seem like a difficult decision when it comes to picking out the perfect portable belt sander to meet your needs but it really is much easier than you realize! As long as you follow all of the important information provided in the post above, you’re going to have no problem picking out a great sander. Additionally, the information above can help provide you with the knowledge you need to pick out future purchases that you might need such as other power tools, sanders and other items.
Things to Consider Before Choosing A Best Portable Belt Sander
Where You Will Use It
Obviously where you plan on using the belt sander is going to play a pretty important role into what type of sander you plan on buying. When it comes to a belt sander, you’re going to find that it works best in larger areas and for jobs where you only need rough sanding done. Additionally, you’re going to find that a belt sander is best when used in situations where you need to sand tabletops, doors or other uneven areas as it is capable of providing you with a quick finish.
Inline Units
When it comes to choosing a belt sander, you will essentially have two choices to choose from and it is up to you which one you want. The first option is going to be an inline unit which is a great choice for this particular post because it is the unit that is the most portable and versatile, however, it does not handle some of the larger jobs as well.
Transverse Units
The second option when it comes to a belt sander is the transverse unit which is essentially going to be the complete opposite of what you would find in a inline unit. This type of unit its going to be a lot less portable and versatile but it is going to do a much better job at handling some of the heavier jobs, which makes this a great choice for any contractor or somebody who is planning a heavy workload.
Portability
Somewhat touched upon earlier in this post, the portability of the unit as a whole is a big factor that you really want to pay attention to because it can and will make or break your decision on a unit. If you are one of those people that has a work shop and isn’t planning on working anywhere else, then you can purchase a heavy-duty stationary unit. However, if you want to try and bring this sander from site to site, you’re going to need to make sure that you buy a more portable unit, which means you could be sacrificing some of the more powerful features you want to see.
Power
It’s obviously going to depend on the sander that you look at, but there are a lot of options for you to choose from when it comes to powering the sander as there are options for electric, batteries and even air compressors if you wish to go that way. Typically, you’re going to find that the electric sanders are more portable than any of the other ones and they’re going to give you more bang for your buck. Sanders powered by air compressors are great because they work faster and they’re more powerful but it can be tough to bring them with you to each place.
Safety
Safety should be the number one consideration to keep in mind when you think about what sander you are going to buy because you need to ensure that you or anyone else who may use the sander is going to be safe at all times. In addition to the safety features provided by the sander, you’re going to need to take some precautions on your own to make sure you surround yourself with a safe work environment. For example, make sure you always wear safety glasses and respiratory protection as well as ear plugs to ensure you can not be injured by loud noises, or debris in the air.
Dust Collection
Unless you have a dedicated work space or you don’t mind getting your home dirty, you’re going to want to make sure there is some sort of a dust collection system on your sander so that you don’t leave your work area covered in dust. Some dust collections are better than others but the most important thing is to make sure you at least have something. If you can, try and find one of the more advanced collection systems that doesn’t allow much dust out because it is going to help you in the long run.
Grips
In addition to some of the other stuff mentioned above, you’re going to find that the grip of the sander is going to make your life a whole lot easier because it gives you a lot more control. Compared to some other sanders, the grip of a belt sander is not one of the more important parts of the sander but you should still make sure the sander is comfortable and easy for you to use.
Ease Of Changing Belt
Over the course of your project, odds are good that you’re going to need to switch belts out and so you want to make sure it is easy to do so. Most of the sanders you will find will only take you a few minutes but double check to ensure that this is something that can be done rather easily. It may not seem too important, but it is going to be crucial to you in the middle of a project.
About the Author Darrell Webster
I believe there is a handyman in all of us as long as you have the right tools. I started this blog to help anyone who is interested in fixing things to learn their way around the different tools and to know how to perform different DIY tasks. I have been doing this for years and believe I am a master of this art.