Harbor Freight belt sander, should I get it?

[cbwx34]

CBW,

Do you have much experience with the Craftsman 2x42 with both the 1 inch and 2 inch belts??

TIA

Ben

Yessir....

As a 2x42, it's a great platform for making repairs... particulary ones that help to have a large platen to work on... like repairing blade shapes etc. Still have it and use it.

As a 1x42 I only used occassionaly. To sharpen, the blade had to be worked just off the platen since the belt runs down the middle... you can't reach it from the side. You could still do some repairs on the platen. I was going to make a 1x42 platen... it doesn't look too hard to do... but never got around to it.

Best thing about it is how smooth it runs. I never realized what a difference this makes... for me anyway.

cbw

 

[kvaughn]

Is it possible to put a rheostat on one of these models that run too fast and slow it down that way? Would it damage the motor?--KV

 

[cbwx34]

Haven't done it personally, but everything i've read says it will burn out the motor.

cbw

 

[scoobyaz]

Yessir....

As a 2x42, it's a great platform for making repairs... particulary ones that help to have a large platen to work on... like repairing blade shapes etc. Still have it and use it.

As a 1x42 I only used occassionaly. To sharpen, the blade had to be worked just off the platen since the belt runs down the middle... you can't reach it from the side. You could still do some repairs on the platen. I was going to make a 1x42 platen... it doesn't look too hard to do... but never got around to it.

Best thing about it is how smooth it runs. I never realized what a difference this makes... for me anyway.

cbw

I appreciate your feedback on this model. I was looking for budget belt sander to cut down time on major reprofiling work. (with a DMT D8XX, it's still a lot of work & hours for some jobs.)
I've always worried about the "quality" of the HF model especially with reports of it's tracking issues.

Will keep the sears craftsman in mind :thumbup:
Thanks!
-scooby

*edit* - would this be similar to the model you own?

 

[cbwx34]

That's the model I have. I got belts for it from Supergrit.com.

Just so I don't mislead anyone, it is a fast grinder. I like it because it runs smooth, and I can use a lighter touch, and get a more accurate result. For me the difference between it and a HF was similar to when I had a 486 computer. I thought it was great until I used a Pentium. I could hardly turn the old one on after that, and it was gone a couple of weeks later. But anyway, I would plan on buying or using a couple of beater knives to practice with.

cbw