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When I removed the cover on the sander for the dust passage I found the passage quarters very narrow and plugged with sanding debris.Connecting a powerful shop vacuum to the sander dust tube (bag removed) while sanding also proved to be futile as the vacuum was not powerful enough to unplug the debris in the passageway.Soon after I started sanding I noticed deposits building up on both rollers. It turned out to be a brazen lie and wasted a lot of my time. To avoid belt disintegration one had to frequently stop the sander, remove the belt and chisel off the deposits. The deposits formed in tenacious clumps as high as 3/16".
I found it amazing that Amazon left me to deal with the subcontractor. As the lumps gathered on the rollers the belt would move laterally against the frame and disintegrate. I called the subcontractor and asked them to make a warehouse check if a unit was actually in stock. It may or may not have been made for Sears by Porter Cable. I intend to put the Makita sander up for sale as I will not waste anymore time using it.I first attempted to purchase the tool from an Amazon subcontractor who claimed to have one unit in stock. I purchased this Makita 9403 belt sander in order to sand down a redwood deck that had been painted with latex that was now peeling in many areas.I soon noticed that the dust collection bag was not collecting very much dust.
I had to chisel them off the roller and use lacquer thinner to remove some of them. This got old very fast as it seemed I was devoting more time to sander maintenance than I was to sanding. I was told the warehouse man had the tool in his hands. I did not experience deposit buildup on the rollers and did not have to replace belts frequently. The deposits were under the sanding belt and mainly on the front metal roller. I finally put the Makita aside and dug out of the garage a Craftsman "commercial grade" 4x24 belt sander I purchased at least 20 years ago.
The subcontractor was their agent not mine. The Sears sander was a dream compared to the Makita.
This machine tracks smoothly with the grain, across the grain and at an angle to the grain. If you want to create a lot of sanding dust, really quickly, this is the machine for you. Based on what I see so far, I believe this will go better than 20 years in a hobbyist's shop w/o being a paperweight in your storage cabinet. The Makita has as much power, is smoother and more predictable. Any difference in price is insignificant over 20 years. The long cord (over 10') is a joy. There is plenty of power to handle 50-60 grit belts and I don't get the jerky feeling so many sanders give when under full load. Starting w/o digging in and creating divots is a thing of the past.
Dust collection is superior to the Craftsman and other belt sanders I have used in the past. Feel tempted to use this on finished furniture - but - that is not its place. For those who love DeWalt, Porter-Cable or one of the others on the market - this is the Lexus of sanding machines. I am asking myself why I waited.
My ears thank me. Belt tracking and running smoothly are very important factors for a flat door panel. I finally replaced my Craftsman 4x24 which self-destructed after 25 years of faithful service. It is controllable one-handed. Most of the time I don't need an extension cord. The quality is far superior to anything I ever got from Craftsman.
A smooth and controllable machine equals smooth panels. I use it to smooth out glueup panels for cabinet doors. Ergonomically, it is an ambidextrous dream. This will never be the machine you hate everytime you use it. The tool is unbelievably quiet.
Don't buy this unit if you're going to sand vertically, though. It's surprisingly quiet, has wonderful dust collection, great balance and lots of power. But for heavy duty sanding applications of horizontal work, this thing is a winner. I'm a hobbyist woodworker who makes furniture from solid hardwood, mostly black ash, oak, and maple. This sander was purchased to replace a 4X2l Craftsman which didn't collect a scintilla of dust and was a real "screamer". This tool is a comparative joy to use. It's too heavy. I'd buy it again in a New York minute.
This involves gluing up a lot of panels of varying sizes, all of which need to be sanded. Tracking is flawless, and its weight adds to the ease of sanding horizontal surfaces. If you need a good belt sander, you need this one. The long cord is a nice feature as well.
My only misgiving is that it is heavy. This tool replaced a belt sander by Black and Decker that was bought in 1975. When it totally died recently, I went to my favorite tool maker, Makita. I have a wood carving and sculpture business and most of the work could be done with something smaller. The specifications on this sander were good, the price was better than most others, and the reviews were excellent.
The Makita 4x24 is a workhorse with all the power you'll ever need in a belt sander. I've also tried the Dewalt and a Bosch, and there is no comparison in the products; the Makita works best,hands down. It also has a very comfortable feel to it and is very easy to use. The bag collects dust better than any other model I've tried and being able to reposition it with the swiveling fitting is a major plus.
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