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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
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    Brookfield, Brisbane
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    49
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    Default Belt Sander Help

    Hi WWF,

    I have now been looking for a secondhand Festool BS75 for a couple of years without much luck at all. Availability, timing, location and price expectations all going against me.

    I have come to the sad realisation that I am going to have to settle on another brand. My research suggests that the Bosch GBS75AE with the Sanding frame accessory is a worthy contender for second place however Bosch have just advised that they dont sell them anymore!!!!

    Are there any views on good alternatives? The sanding frame / shoe is a must for me. This requirement rules out the all to respected Makita.

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Hobart
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    5,107

    Default

    I have a 40 year old Makita belt sander, a mate has a Metabo - both are bullet-proof, but neither has a frame.

    However, I cannot remember when I last used mine. Are you sure that you really need one?

    When I first got a random orbital sander, it instantly made my orbital sander redundant. With course mesh sandpaper and a vacuum attached, I find that the ROM does most jobs more easily and usually faster than the belt sander. My belt sander is almost redundant!

    The only real exception is when I use the belt sander as a miniature linisher, but that is rare.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
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    34
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    6,127

    Default

    Makita do have frames if you're happy to buy overseas Makita 193072-3 Belt Sander 193072-3 | eBay

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    4,470

    Default

    In my opinion a belt sander frame is a just PIA they just get in way and that's about all they do.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    27,757

    Default

    This is the first time I've heard about these frames.

    I've flattened and finished half a dozen table tops and at least a dozen slabs without any frames using first my brother's and then my own trusty 100mm Makita.
    Even using 40g grit I've never had a serious gouge.

    The last top I F&F earlier this year was this very soft Norfolk Island Pine craft desk.
    Too many knots for me to use a plane so I just ran the Makita over it.
    Was worried about gouges but I guess I had enough experience to avoid this problem.
    omplete.jpg

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
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    Canberra
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    Default

    A good video to watch


  8. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
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    Canberra
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    Default

    I saw your ads on Gumtree... I was wondering why age is a consideration given the BS75 and BS105 are essentially unchanged in 20+ years?

    Every single part is still available (order online at Festool and Protool Spare Parts - IDEAL TOOLS)

    ... and importantly, I'd reckon 98% of home users machines have been lucky to see an hours use! I'd def look at service life and aesthetic/grot over age

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
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    Brookfield, Brisbane
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    49
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by woodPixel View Post
    I saw your ads on Gumtree... I was wondering why age is a consideration given the BS75 and BS105 are essentially unchanged in 20+ years?

    Every single part is still available (order online at Festool and Protool Spare Parts - IDEAL TOOLS)

    ... and importantly, I'd reckon 98% of home users machines have been lucky to see an hours use! I'd def look at service life and aesthetic/grot over age
    Component corrode/degrade, plastics get brittle etc. Given I will have it for 20+ years I figured I should start with something less than 10 years old.

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
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    Brookfield, Brisbane
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    Default Belt Sander Help

    Quote Originally Posted by GraemeCook View Post
    I have a 40 year old Makita belt sander, a mate has a Metabo - both are bullet-proof, but neither has a frame.

    However, I cannot remember when I last used mine. Are you sure that you really need one?

    When I first got a random orbital sander, it instantly made my orbital sander redundant. With course mesh sandpaper and a vacuum attached, I find that the ROM does most jobs more easily and usually faster than the belt sander. My belt sander is almost redundant!

    The only real exception is when I use the belt sander as a miniature linisher, but that is rare.
    The main reason I want one is on some of my finer pieces, especially when dark stained, i can see ROS swirl marks. I want to finish these pieces using the belt sander so as to remove any swirls.

    Often I cant see them until after the finish is applied.

    Also, i find when using a ROS you can feel a slight wave across the surface. No matter how good the technique and quality of the sander the finish is never perfectly flat when you have to work through the grits

    The final reason is related the woodpixels post and Ramon’s love of them

  11. #10
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    Default

    Makita seems like the logical alternative however there really is limited info on the different models to understand which one to go for!

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
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    Canberra
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    Default

    I ALMOST bought the Makita 9400B MAKITA 940W 100mm Belt Sander M9400B | Total Tools

    I didn't as when I tried it, it seemed fierce. Its 380 m/min belt speed. It felt a little feral.


    The others are lower speeds, which seemed far more sensible to our sport than these Atomic weapons.

    Bit of a shame they aren't multi-speed or one can change the cogs/belt.

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
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    34
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    Default

    Had this one at my old work Makita 850W Belt Sander - Bunnings Australia 3" wide wheels with a 4" wide platten so it can take both widths of belt.

    Quote Originally Posted by woodPixel View Post
    Bit of a shame they aren't multi-speed or one can change the cogs/belt.
    I might be able to do something about changing the pulleys if people are serious (assuming we have an appropriate cutter at work)

  14. #13
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Sth Gippsland Vic
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    Default

    I just did a job which required a large amount of sanding with a belt sander . All 40 mm thick Oak. A big widebelt sander would have been nice ! Or one of those Festool ones with the frame . Ive never noticed them before. The job had to be a dead flat perfect finish and dark as well . Every thing was machined first and the Belt sander took over from there . Sanding thickneser machine marks off starting with 60 grit through the grits to 120 then the ROS took over . A lot of 280 and 320 grit withe a Festo ROS and vacuum . I was quite surprised at how good we got it . Its all in the action. Figure eights and angled traversing, finishing straight up and down , Like in that video above . All my work is normally hand planed and aged. I don't like having to do perfect finishes if I have a choice. It was a good job to have though. The Belt sander was a big old Hatachi . I got a pair of them at a garage sale for around $20 ea.


    Only problem I had was when I ordered some finer belts to try halfway through this job, the 180 grit belts wouldn't last more than 30 seconds. I took this first picture to show the guy I bought them off. There is the Hitachi .

    IMG_1203a.jpg IMG_1212a.jpg

    IMG_1383a.jpg IMG_1384a.jpg

  15. #14
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    Default

    The blue Deerfos zirconia belts from Abrasiflex are quite good

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
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    Canberra
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    Default

    I saw a video where some dudes had a monster slab.

    They did as you did Auscab, but to get it all dead flat they glued a cut-open huge belt (1220mm) onto a steel bar and slid that back and forth like slaves on the oars!

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