Miniature belt sander

chevman said:
I've had this one for awhile. Works good, easy belt change, and this is a very good price for it.
https://www.cpooutlets.com/astro-pn...4582214718035107&utm_content=All_other_brands
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Thanks.
Does the 3036 have a swivel arm? I can only find reviews for the 3037 (1/2" version) on YT and the product description does not mention it.

@Chris_Hamilton
Believe it or not, I've gotten really good results from the two-sided $5 Harbor Freight spot weld cutters. I cut over 100 spot welds on my VW floor pans using one side and still have life left in it.
These:
CHICAGO ELECTRIC WELDING 3/8 in. Double Sided Rotary Spot Weld Cutter

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Emil
 
I use my dynabrade red with the 60 grit it’s takes the 18” belts basically every day in our collision shop it is definitely one of the tools that if it died today I would order another one immediately
 
Evil_Fiz said:
Can anyone recommend a mini belt sander suitable in price and performance for the Non-PROs/hobbyists among us?
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Evil_Fiz, if you want to try a couple of cheap mini belt sanders, Amazon has a Wen electric 1/2" x 18" model for $41.13 (https://www.amazon.com/WEN-6307-Variable-Detailing-Sander/dp/B072Q2FTLY?th=1). I have used one to polish aluminum parts using surface conditioning belts (https://www.lehighvalleyabrasives.com/abrasives/non-woven-abrasives-surface-conditioning-belts). If you prefer air driven belt sanders, Harbor Freight sells a 3/8" x 13" pneumatic belt sander for $24.99 (https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-belt-air-sander-60627.html). I have two and they have held up well for my hobby projects. Not as wide a variety of belts available but you can get 40 to 600 grit belts (https://www.empireabrasives.com/3-8-inch-x-13-inch-aluminum-oxide-sanding-belt/).

I bought the 3/8" x 13" pneumatic belt sanders first and couldn't find an equivalent electric model. To reduce the number of belts rotting in my shop, it would make sense to switch to a 1/2" x 18" pneumatic belt sander, probably this Harbor Freight unit for $80.99 (https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in...VBD5LD7aKo5-1ar6W_xsvwx9IC5JxaBhoC38IQAvD_BwE).
 
i use mine for everything from welds to glass . just keep in mind the way you use it depends on the life of a belt. you can cut the edges off quick . but beats a disc grinder in many ways .
 
Thanks for the recommendations.
Coincidentally the WEN, and both low and high-cost HF units are what I have been pondering along with the Astro 303x models. I need it mostly for grinding weld F**K-ups and spot weld grinding. For that reason, I'm leaning towards a 3/8" unit but belt selection may steer me towards the 1/2" models. I will most likely use 3M or Benchmark Abrasives belts unless someone here recommends otherwise.

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Emil
 
Evil_Fiz said:
Thanks.
Does the 3036 have a swivel arm? I can only find reviews for the 3037 (1/2" version) on YT and the product description does not mention it.

@Chris_Hamilton
Believe it or not, I've gotten really good results from the two-sided $5 Harbor Freight spot weld cutters. I cut over 100 spot welds on my VW floor pans using one side and still have life left in it.
These:
CHICAGO ELECTRIC WELDING 3/8 in. Double Sided Rotary Spot Weld Cutter

-----
Emil
Click to expand...
Evil-fiz that 3036 looks identical to the matco silver eagle one I've had for 5 +years and yes the belt head rotates with a simple allen head pinch bolt it will rotate in a complete 360* turn ...

I've used different belts over the years and seem to get the best life from the 3m Cubitron II belts
 
For grinding small/spot welds, my go to tool is Ingersoll Rand 2 inch die grinder with Roloc 36 grit disc's.
20220220_165546.jpg
 
epb72 said:
Evil-fiz that 3036 looks identical to the matco silver eagle one I've had for 5 +years and yes the belt head rotates with a simple allen head pinch bolt it will rotate in a complete 360* turn ...

I've used different belts over the years and seem to get the best life from the 3m Cubitron II belts
Click to expand...
Thanks. I am very tempted to get the Astro 3036 due to its good reviews and the small belt width. It's cheaper than the HF equivalent and I imagine parts are available as well.

Is there wisdom in using a small spherical burr to grind spot welds after creating a dimple with a suitably sized cobalt drill bit?
I need to remove spot welds in 1mm steel ( VW center tunnel bottom plate) and suspect that my spot weld cutter or a belt will wear out too quickly.

-----
Emil
 
ct71rr said:
The belts do make a bit of a difference. I’ve tried a bunch of different ones and found the 3M cubitrons to be the best.

Click to expand...
Are the 80+ grit belts you linked enough to grind MIG welds or would I need something in the 36 - 40 range? I have 36 grit zirconia flap wheels from Benchmark that cut pretty aggressively but I don't know if that translates 1:1 to belts.

Thanks for the link,
Emil
 
Chris_Hamilton said:
I have the same one, like it alot. I haven't used it for spot welds though. I still prefer a weld grinding wheel on a die grinder when I'm not saving the part, and when I have to save the part I like these spot weld bits alot. Best I have used.
www.ebay.com

Mueller-Kueps 244805 Spot Welding Drill Bits, 5-Pack | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Mueller-Kueps 244805 Spot Welding Drill Bits, 5-Pack at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
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I have two of the little belt sanders. Both are air tools. The problem is not the sander but the limited life span of the belts and replacement costs. They end up pretty expensive to use.
 
John Long said:
I have two of the little belt sanders. Both are air tools. The problem is not the sander but the limited life span of the belts and replacement costs. They end up pretty expensive to use.
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Agreed. One reason why I never used one working for others. Employers would pay for weld grinding wheels, but wouldn't pay for belts for a tool only one of us had.
 
I have had a cheap Harbour Freight mini belt sander for years. I use it to adjust house doors in the construction trade. Never dawned on me to try it on my Chevelle.
I am working windshield channels now and the only thing i can think of is a carbide burr to get in the very tight corners. The mini belt might work, i shall give it a try.
 
Ditto here too, bought a Harbor Freight mini belt sander on sale and used the coarsest grit to grind windshield frame weld repairs smooth on a 68 Corvette. Works great and super for getting into small spaces. Might not hold up for commercial use but for a hobbyist, mine has held up great. Will buy another if this one ever craps out.
 
shine said:
good quality spot weld cutters work very well . cost more but are made for the job.
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When you say spot weld cutters are you talking of the disks for an angle grinder linked above? Did i read that correctly it is approximately 1" thick?
 
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