best belt sander for bow building?

[EHK]

Dang, I hate these tool questions.  I'm as green as a builder can be yet every time one of these tool threads pops up I find myself on Grizzly's website.

[Roy from Pa]

Your joking right, EHK? LOL I've never been to the Grizzly site.. Well maybe 20 times and it only cost me about $1700.00 so far for an edge sander and a drum sander:) Kept saying no, no, no, ah heck why not:)

[LittleBen]

I've owned two belt sanders, both 4x36". They are not the biggest or strongest, but I don't have the space for anything bigger.

My first one was a ryobi or rigid (i forget) from lowes. It was like $100 or so. I thought it was the greates thing ever. I used mainly the rounded end of the belt to tiller the limbs, until one day all that sanding pressing on the end of the belt, blew up the roller bearings inside the idler cylinder the belt runs over. I took it apart, but it was hopeless ... returned that right to lowes ... that was about 1.5yr of service.

I bought the porter-cable one from lowes because they would only give me store credit, and i didnt need $100 in clamps. The porter cable is a whole different animal. Far more power, much better construction, bigger disc (still never use it. It was under $200 but is a much better machine.

I'm sure a bigger badder machine is even bigger and badder, but if you are on a tight budget, a more heavy duty 4x36 sander can be quite capable.

[typical2]

Camoman,

I have the Ridgid oscillating belt sander and like it.  I have built 20+ bows with it and it is still going strong.  This includes shaping risers but also  rough and fine shaping limbs.

[Crooked Stic]

Come on Kenny you need the 6x80. Then later you can add the profile setup and have tons of fun making jigs and stuff.  

[JamesV]

I have the Ridgid Sander and use it a lot. It is a great tool for building bows. If you grind a lot of glass be sure to blow the motor out before storage. Burned my motor out just a few days before warranty went out and they replaced the motor (no charge) within a week. Keep your receipt on all tools.

[Cootling]

Consider looking for a used edge sander on Craig's List.  I recently bought a new 6x80 Grizzly G1531 for less than the cost of a belt sander. Granted, I got pretty lucky... but you never know!

[canopyboy]

That's pretty cool Chris.  I hadn't thought of trying to build one.  Looks like you did a very nice job.

I've been thinking of the Grizzly 6 x 80.  I grew up in a cabinet shop with an edge sander.  We used it for everything.  I still need to save up a little more, but hope to have one in my shop in time for next year's swap.  Just need to figure out where it will fit.

[Larrydawg]

Belt sander? you mean you can use power tools??
 No wonder both my rotator cuffs are shot!
Hedgeapple the Unknowin' RedNeck!

[Jim Rocole]

I have a Delta oscillating sander for shaping risers and 12" Disc sander for cleaning the glue off of limbs. but recently picked up a Powermatic Edge sander 6" x 80" on Craigslist for under $400 and am not sure why I waited so long. I can tell all ready after one set of limbs,that it will be the most used item in my shop.