It’s always best to start a project with a belt sander and then finish it off with a detail sander. Once you have an idea of how your belt sander works, it can easily become your best friend for time-sensitive projects. Choosing between a belt sander vs. Planer is simpler than you think as long as you have an idea of what your project is.
Develops expertise: Another delightful benefit of a belt sander is that it encourages a skill that you might not learn using other tools. Belt Sander: Pros & Cons Pros The durability of materials and high-grade engineering. Both the belt and planer sander are great tools when used specifically for what they are meant to accomplish.
I have been considering an electric hand plane or belt sander. Live4ever is actually wrong, even with a belt sander you only remove like.03 of an inch per pass, where as you take.07 with a hand plane, powered planes can actually take up to an 8th in a pass. So unless there is something very specific you need that a belt sander just won’t do, I’d recommend the sander ahead of an electric plane.
If they are already glued up, I’d take them to a shop with a wide belt sander and have them flatten the slabs. Personally, I’d do it with a scrub and smoothing plane, but these take experience, too. I have a 3X24 belt sander, and it’s the least used tool in my shop for a reason.
belt sander or hand planer Related Question:
What is better a sander or a planer?
Thickness Planers: Produce Boards of Even Thickness Whereas sanders are used to alter the finish of wood, a wood planer is used to even out wood to an exact thickness. Planers produce boards of even thickness. With a planer you can take several irregular pieces of wood and level them all to the same even thickness.
Can I use a belt sander instead of a planer?
The right one for you will depend on your application. If you need to even out a long wooden board, a planer will get the job done fast. On the other hand, if you want to strip away coatings, or make a surface smoother, a wide belt sander will be the better investment.
What is the difference between a belt sander and a hand planer?
The primary difference between these two woodworking tools is that a belt sander uses sandpaper to sand away at the surface of wood, whereas planers use large blades to cut away at a certain depth in the wood.
When using a belt sander you should never?
1. Do Not use the belt & disc sander if you are too tired, hungry, sad, mad, or dehydrated. Never work while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or any medication that creates drowsiness or impaired thinking.