I see. I've just read this short thread where you made comment (this is the 20 minute life thread):
https://www.woodworkforums.com/f13/aeg-belt-sander-hbs1000e-175166
So, Metabo out.
I went to the local hardware while I was out just now and they had three BS there.
The Hitachi felt "ok", a bit plastic, and not a whole lot of heft.(although it's 4.3kg)
The Makita 9910 (76mm) felt like plastic junk with no heft at all. (2.9kg)
The Makita 9924 has really good heft, but I can see what is meant by the exposed graphite - it's primarily on one side and that also means that a 100mm belt would be quite exposed on the top side at the front. Furthermore, I couldn't hold the front knob properly (with end of fingers and thumb only) so that would get very tiring I believe. Palm on top would be ok, but that's not always going to be the case. It may well work for a different hand shape, but not mine.
So, all out.
Then there is:
Bosch GBS 75 AE and at 3.4kg it's only 500g heavier than the Makita plastic junk, and must have a lot of plastic in the construction.
OUT! (even if it does have an inpatient facility)
That leaves:
Makita 9403 100mm which looks like a real brute.
6.9kgs and
1200 watts. $409 at Sydney Tools but no inpatient facility or sanding frame available. Belt speed
500m/min
Festool BS 75 800w,
3.8kg, $598, takes standard 75x533mm belts. Sanding frame available $300, stand available $66, variable speed. Belt speed max no load
380m/min
Curiously Sydney Tools have that, and
another 1010w version in a set for $1057, belt speed max no load 380m/min,
but this is not listed on the Festool site. Bit weird.
Festool BS 105 1400w $1587,
6.5kg, only offered here as a set. Belts 105x620mm at $10-11.40 each in a box of ten only. Belt speed max no load
380m/min
Curiously, Festool have Tyrolit belts on their site, and the say the 100x610mm belt fits the BS 105. I presume that the tensioning can still lock tight at 5mm shorter length. Don't know if that exposes 5mm of graphite on one side, but presumably it does if the graphite is 105mm wide.
There may be a bit of a clue to the 100mm belt on the 105 platen here:
http://www.festool.com.au/epages/too...roducts/490825
That little notch in the corner looks like it's ready to have 5mm cut off the graphite which would solve any exposure problems with a 100mm belt.