05-02-2016, 02:13 PM
Let me buffer my remarks, by saying I have all the respect of Roadracer Al's comments, they show a vast experience in the use of his equipment and agree a belt sander is a viable piece of shop equipment. But I've never been really impressed with a 6 x 48 belt sander, maybe I have had the wrong ones, I had a Jet, a Craftsman and currently have a Delta/Rockwell. They seem way to big and slow, for what I work on (lots of small 1/4"-1/2" thick pieces). I do have a 2 x 48 high speed belt sander/grinder, I wouldn't be without it. I had a 6 x 48 long before, I got the 2 x 48, since I got the 2 x 48, I haven't used the 6 x 48 more than twice. My 2 x 48 will take metal off 4-5 times faster than the 6 x 48 (use the same type belts), the 2 x 48 is more versatile.
The belt speed make a huge difference, the 2 x 48 is 3600 fpm, while the 6 x 48 is around 1200 fpm.
Maybe if I worked on bigger stuff, the 6 x 48 would be more of a go to piece of equipment.
One of the reason I went with 2 x 48 machine was the availability of belts locally, 2 x 72 is not stocked by anyone locally, but all 3 of the industrial suppliers stock, multiple options of 2 x 48 belts, in construction and grit.
The belt speed make a huge difference, the 2 x 48 is 3600 fpm, while the 6 x 48 is around 1200 fpm.
Maybe if I worked on bigger stuff, the 6 x 48 would be more of a go to piece of equipment.
One of the reason I went with 2 x 48 machine was the availability of belts locally, 2 x 72 is not stocked by anyone locally, but all 3 of the industrial suppliers stock, multiple options of 2 x 48 belts, in construction and grit.
jack