Thread: GMC belt sander

I have the 1000W GMC belt sander. It works great. Haven't had any problems.

Haven't looked at the Ozito. However, as they are both made in Chinese factories it will always be a hit and miss. Examine the build quality closely on both tools and buy the one you feel best about.

Worst case get the GMC and use it for up to 30 days then bring it back and tell them it's crap and get your money back.

I have a GMC BS 1000 and have not had a problem with it, and have given it a good workout.
Station-rat

I have had experience with the ozito brand unfortunalely only a router.
It seemed ok when routing but little things like the locking arm broke with little pressure and the unit went kaput just out of warranty. I wouldnt buy the brand again seeing as the GMC seems to have a better name now and their product seems a little sturdier(probably made in same factory with same specs). My mother in law bought the GMC equivalent for less and is still using it after approx 3yrs.

Bought an Ozito when someone pinched my Makita when I went to answer the phone.
It is an absolute piece of crap, the belt wanders all over the place and finished up going through the side of the case.
Yes, I do know how to set up a sander but this excuse for a machine had a mind of it's own, I've still got it somewhere and I may just donate it to someone I don't like.

Bought an ozito belt sander as I dont use one much and haven't had any major problems with it. At the same time wouldnt really reccomend it to anyone either. My issues are mainly design, ie location of dust port etc.

My Recent Ozito Belt Sander Purchase.
I just walked inside covered in red Jarrah dust where I was told I looked like a clown, my eyes are itchy & I feel sick even though i was wearing a mask and had the dust bag in place. I thought to myself 'this is crazy how can they call that a dust bag'?, I actually think your better off removing it all together and having the dust stream straight out of the port under your arm rather than get disturbed by the so called dust bag which seems to just cause the dust to billow out everywhere and up into your face.

Its more like a dust distributer, kind of like a sprinkler mist nozzle. I often wonder if anyone actually tries to use these machines before selling them or do they just sit back looking at pretty pictures on the computer screen and say 'yea that looks like it might work'?? Der!?
Its just typical of design these days though & I bet the guy that designed it had a degree of some sort too.

The world is getting faster & faster at being dumber & its big companies like bunnings that are leading the race!!

Oh well, I better get back out there & continue choking on my mistake.

DON'T BUY OZITO !!! they are crap and and won't last, i got a gmc but it caught fire after 5 min, however most guys here who have them don't seem to have too many problems, so if only using it around the house then it should be fine, i traded mine in for a makita which is great but i must addmit the gmc was biger and more powerfull. i know of a builder who only buys the cheapo tools , they get knocked around on site and don't cost much to replace...if you get one let me know how it goes...

Jimmy

The question I will ask is "how much experience do you have using a belt sander?"

If you (and anyone else giving advice) has no way of comparing a good verses a bad belt sander, then you will have no idea what you are letting yourself in for (or, for those who already have one and have no other experience other than the one they own, no idea what "better" or "worse" might mean).

In my limited experience I find these to be bloody dangerous tools, more so in the hands of the inexperienced. Not dangerous in the sense that they will attack and hurt you (they can do that as well), but because when let loose on timber they can overpower you and damage the work you are doing. These are not precision tools, particularly at the cheaper end of the market. You need to be looking for a flat platten, a graphite slip, a wide and long surface for stability, a surrounding fence to prevent the edges digging in ... the list goes on. Then there is the dust it creates, and the need for decent dust extraction - these things are potentially carcinogenic in themselves! And the noise pollution ...

Now I am not saying don't get one. I am saying you get what you pay for. And perhaps this is not what you really had in mind.

There are alternatives to a belt sander, but they are addictive and I cannot mention them here

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by derekcohen

There are alternatives to a belt sander, but they are addictive and I cannot mention them here

Regards from Perth

Derek

Can't get much planer than that

Dekek, don't keep me in suspence any longer, if you know of a way to flatten a table top other than with a belt sander , PLEASE TELL US ! i am sure half the forum wants to know...

LH

Iain (in the previous thread) was giving you all the clues what to do. Punny man

I think he is dying to say what to do. So I will give him first go.

Regards from Perth

Derek

la Huerta, I think Derek is refering to items from the Dark/Neanderthal Side of woodworking. Handplanes, starting at No 8 or 7 (Trying/Jointing) then smoothing with a HA/BU/LA smoother No 4 or 4 1/2. A lot slower than attacking it with a belt sander, but alot safer - Dust, what dust - long curly wisps of wood . . . developing your feel for the wood . . . appreciation for the complex nature of the material . . . the personal satisfaction of a good gloat to your non - woodie friends.


Please disregard the last points - Black Beer + Dark choccy = Yum

sorry i asked... but i do actually use a hand plane after glueing the boards together, to flatten it a bit before hitting it with the belt, i make quite a lot of tables and planing is good for the muscles but beltsanding is faster...i am going to build a dust extraction arm that can be positioned right over the workpiece when sanding to suck that dust up within a few inches of the sander...

Originally Posted by la Huerta

sorry i asked... but i do actually use a hand plane after glueing the boards together, to flatten it a bit before hitting it with the belt, i make quite a lot of tables and planing is good for the muscles but beltsanding is faster...i am going to build a dust extraction arm that can be positioned right over the workpiece when sanding to suck that dust up within a few inches of the sander...

G'day la Huerta,

I'm not at all so sure that using a belt sander, especially a hand-held one, and one of dubious quality at that, is faster (definately not better) than a properly fettled and wielded #7 or 8, followed by a nice smoother. In any case, even in a production environment, doesn't "craftsman made" more than make up for 'bashed together" (not that I'd suggest, for a moment,that that's what you do), not to mention the nice satisfying feeling of a good plane just "swishhhiiing" it's way - and I'm just learning this dark art, but I have to say, it's getting me hooked

Cheers!