A Belting Sander (Bosch Belt Sander PBS 75)

Member Name: gryphon

Product:	Bosch Belt Sander PBS 75
Date:	03/04/01 (2277 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: very good for large jobs

Disadvantages: can remove too much if overenthusiastic

Tired of random circlar vibrations?
Bored with the tiny triangle wobbling away?
Even 1/3 sheet isn't enough for you?

You need a belt sander

The machine I have is a Bosch PBS 75:
A 650 watt machine
which drives a 533x75mm sanding belt
over a 130x75mm sanding area
at a speed of 330m per minute

[translated from the side info plate]

This machine is the larger of the Bosch 'domestic' machines, and is suitable for loads of jobs, up to and including [in my opinion] light trade use.

As its' name implies, a belt sander drives a continuous belt of sandpaper around two rollers over a plate where the actual business gets done. The sander has a handle fore and aft, and a port for dust collection; either into a bag [supplied] or via an adaptor [supplied] into a vacuum cleaner. Mine also came with a selection of various grit belts included.

Warning: Anorak insert ahead!

[grit no. is a measure of how rough the sandpaper is: a low number is coarse and will remove lots of material, but leave an uneven finish; high numbers work more slowly, but give a better finish: it's actually a count of the number of grains of abrasive particle per unit area. I have come across grit numbers as low as fourteen- you could individually count the bits of garnet on the paper {if you really wanted to, that is!}]

A belt sander is a tool for getting through a lot of work; it'll trim down doors, smooth walls, take layers and layers of old finish off, reshape castings, even out seams; prepare floorboards, old sleepers, joists and rafters, clean up boat decks, fit shelves and worktops.

Because of its power, it pays to be a little circumspect until used to the tool- you can easily remove too much material, and also when used with coarse grit paper, may leave score marks that need further finishing.
When working on wood, always point the sander along the grain to avoid deep
score marks, and remember to keep moving- otherwise you may end up with an interesting trough in your work.

Belt changing is simple on the PBS 75- release a lever, and it slips off ready for the next one- the belt needs occasional centreing so that it does not wander off the edge of the rollers- this is achieved using a thumbscrew on the front roller which alters its angle, but this should only rarely need changing.

I have used the sander for all sorts of tasks; many of them involve taking a piece of wood back to a pencil line. Historically, you would have used a plane, but now, just get a line along where you want the finished edge to be, switch on the sander, and work back to the line. This is great for trimming doors, and fitting shelvers, worktops and cupboards exactly to the wall.

It is also great for cleaning up a rough plaster fill job where there are stray gobs and dobs all over the place- maybe after channelling in a wire or conduit. Be sure not to tilt the sander on edge or you will end up with a deep groove by mistake.

The sander also has a notch enabling it to be clamped upside down onto a bench/workmate etc. This lets you use it hands free as a sanding station, to shape, size and finish all those bits that you couldn't clamp- I recently surfaced 54 blocks of wood [9"x3"x1.5"], and rounded the edges to make an oversize Jenga set for a youthgroup.

This feature also makes it very handy when fitting or making fiddly little custom bits and bobs.

Safety:
It is a noisy tool- ear defenders a must
A dust mask is recommended
Eye protection is always advised, whatever powertool you use
Remember not to have loose hair or floppy clothing- I once shredded the forearm of a favourite rugby shirt by getting it caught
up by the belt.

The sander comes with a quality, generous lead [over 3 metres], and moulded plug

Warning: Anorak entertainment follows:


Remember how fast the belt moves? [330m/minute]
Have you a friend [sorry- do you know someone] who also owns a belt sander?
I'm sure you possess extension leads. . . . .
and have a hall to sand the floorboards in. . .
You can now take part in the exciting sport of
Sander Racing!
Choose your start and finish lines
Lock those sanders on [glory in the noise and power]
Let go together, and see whose sander gets to the finish first
Checquered flags are a little O.T.T.
[as is strapping a hamster on as the driver]
[[Power Devil is red, rather like Ferrari]]
Have Fun!

Seriously, if you use a belt sander, be careful, and marvel at how much work it can do for you.

This Bosch tool is my first choice for sanding flat and large surfaces, andhas got through an incredible amount of work- the one breakdown was soon sorted by a service agent, and it has been going strong ever since.

Summary: