Best Belt Sander for Woodworking

Sander for Woodworking

The best belt sander for woodworking is handy in any woodworker's workshop or home. Their role is turning that raw material wood into a fine and smooth final product. Often, advanced woodworkers use their belt sander for sharpening and sanding wood. Belt sanders also come in handy in removing paint, scraps, and adhesives from different materials when preparing them for various projects. 

Prevalently, belt sanders are crucial for any serious woodworker. But which one is the most suitable? If your experience is anything like mine, you've had difficulty finding the right belt sander for your woodworking projects. 

Luckily, after a lot of research, I finally found a few worth buying, but one of them stood out among the crowd: the Makita 9403 belt sander. 

Stick around to find out why it's my top pick!

My Top Pick:  Makita 9403 Belt Sander 

My Top Pick:  Makita 9403 Belt Sander

Makita has been in the industry for a long time, and its products are well-known and loved. 

The Makita 9403 is a fantastic belt sander designed for contractors, professional woodworkers, and anyone looking for a heavy-duty, durable machine that can effortlessly do small and large jobs.  

And while some of its construction comprises plastic, it's heavy-duty plastic blended with metal on the fast-wear sections, making it ideal for prolonged use. 

The critical section, the base, is made from detachable ceramic, which in addition to withstanding immense friction, hinders heat from reaching the other parts of the machine, maximizing its lifespan. 

That's not all; the dual-insulated labyrinth build facilitates this power tool to operate for many hours daily without overheating or breaking down by diverting heat and dust far from the unit's critical components. 

Still not impressed? Here is my detailed review of the Makita 9403 belt sander:

Specifications 

Dimensions: 9 by 16.1 by 9.76 In.

Power Source: Corded 

Amperage: 11-amps

Top Speed: 1640 Ft/Min

Weight: 13 lbs.

Grit Number: 80

Belt Size: 4 by 24 In

What I Like 

  • It has a potent motor.

  • It produces 84Db of noise, making it one of the quiet belt sanders 

  • It has a neat design, and the in-built dust blower leaves your space less dusty

  • It features a compact and light build

  • User-friendly build and comfy ergonomics 

What I Don't like

  • It's expensive 

  • It might wobble after prolonged use

Key Features 

Potent Motor

The Makita 9403 has a powerful 11-amp motor, the highest amperage I encountered during my search for the best belt sander for woodworking. This is more than enough for all your projects. Also, it only weighs 13 ounces, making it both lightweight and powerful. 

It can operate on soft surfaces and hard ones as well. When I attach a low-grit sanding belt, it removes a substantial portion of the material, so it would be best to be aware of this unit's potential and power while operating it to avoid ruining your workpiece. 

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Speed

Unfortunately, the Makita 9403 doesn’t have variable speeds; just a fixed one at 1640 ft/Min, sufficient for numerous projects. Some woodworkers like the variable speed option, which is handy in some situations, but so is fixed speed.

However, this depends on the project you're working on. So, if you don't need variable speeds, then you don't have to purchase a belt sander with variable speeds. 

This high speed, combined with high and low-grit sandpapers, can result in two differing changes. The sandpaper with low grit will take out more material, while the high-grit one will leave your material looking smooth.

Dust Collection

I love working in a neat space, and the Makita 9403 is made for people like me!

It has an incredible dust collection system, arguably the best among all Makita belt sanders. The dust bag is huge and well-positioned; hence you can access your workpiece's tightest corners. The other distinctive feature of this sander is the dust collection bag that can revolve 360 degrees, allowing you to move it from your work path when needed. 

Noise 

As pointed out above, this is among the quietest Makita models on the market, which is why it's a favorite among many woodworkers. 

Typically, a high-speed power tool like this can produce plenty of noise; however, this one doesn't; it only generates 84Db, allowing you to work in a somewhat quiet space. 

Design

The Makita 9403 belt sander is lightweight and sports a robust motor. The machine is teal and comes with a pink cloth dust collection bag like all Makita power tools.

With that in mind, this is the ideal machine to use if you're attempting to cover a huge area.

Handle

The Makita 9403 belt sander has a comfortable handle for holding it. This front grasp aids in attaining support and balance. The pistol grasp sports a trigger dial that keeps this machine on when pressed. This additional handle can be handy if you require putting a bit of pressure. 

Ceramic Platens 

The last feature is the ceramic platen. Usually, belt sanders have platens made of steel, but this one is made of ceramic. Since ceramic isn’t a good conductor of heat, like steel, the platens can remain in shape for a long time without ruining the belt.

On the other hand, ceramic platens might break after prolonged use, but you can easily replace them. 

Accessories

The Makita 9403 belt sander doesn't come alone; the package includes a dust bag, an 80-grit sander, and a 4 by 24 inches abrasive belt.

Cost & Comparison

The Makita 9403 belt sander goes for $180 to $220, which I agree is expensive. However, it has a 4.8 out of 5 stars rating on amazon, which says a lot about its functionality. 

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Regarding competition, the WEN 6321 belt sander goes for $35 to $60, while the Black + Decker DS321 sells for $40 to $60. 

Worthy Competitors

WEN 6321 Belt Sander 

WEN 6321 Belt Sander

If you are an everyday DIYer on a budget, then the WEN 6321 belt sander is for you!

It is affordable, though not as feature rich as the Makita 9403. It comes with a dust collection bag to keep your workspace clean and sports a potent 7-amp motor that revolves the 3 by 21 inches belt at 13 ft/sec. With this, it doesn't sacrifice performance, so it's a worthy purchase. 

Despite your project, this unit will do the job right, so don’t look down on its lightweight frame. It also has multiple handy features like effortless belt switching, easy removal of the dust bag, and convenient adjustment using the knob. 

For the woodworker searching for a belt sander for home use, the WEN 6321 is an excellent option. 

Black + Decker DS321 Belt Sander 

Black + Decker DS321 Belt Sander

The Black + Decker 6321 belt sander is ideal for intermediate and beginner woodworkers. It weighs only 6.5 ounces and comes with a good number of handy and innovative features. The roller at the front allows you to access tricky corners and, at the same time, delivers a smooth finish. 

This tool lets you do less work and still achieve top-quality results. Also, the adjustable handle translates to a comfortable approach for all your projects, regardless of the angle. This gives you additional control over your work. 

Why Choose the Makita 9403 Belt Sander?

The Makita 9403 belt sander is an impressive power tool, with an amperage of 11 amps and 1640 ft/min speed. With its power, you can perform any light or demanding tasks, and though it doesn’t have variable speeds, it will get the job done. 

If you don’t mind the price tag and the fixed speed, you will have a wonderful time sanding with the Makita 9403 belt sander in your workshop. 

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