Sanding belts - recommended brand?

[username132]

I was wondering whether it is worth paying a premium for sanding belts from manufacturers such as Bosch or Festool - have you experimented? Do more expensive belts last longer? Can anyone recommend a manufacturer with the optimal compromise between quality and cost?

 

[foxhole]

Have Bosch belt sanders and only bosch belts seem to fit so don't have a choice.

 

[big-all]

i personaly have never had a sanding belt fail and i use [or have used] toolstation for belts amounst others i never pay more than about 80p 3" and £1 4"

you can clean clogged belts by hitting belts against a hard surface

rolling the belt tightly over a table edge[protect edge against grit
clean with belt sand er rubber or even a wire brush

http://www.toolstation.com/documents/search/index.html?searchstr=belt+sander+rubber&submit=Go

 

[johnlogiebaird]

In my experience, you can feel the join in the cheaper non-branded belts when you're sanding - which tends to make the belt sander 'jump' a bit. I haven't had this problem with the bosch belts i've used in the past.

 

[johnlogiebaird]

In my experience, you can feel the join in the cheaper non-branded belts when you're sanding - which tends to make the belt sander 'jump' a bit. I haven't had this problem with the bosch belts i've used in the past.

 

[speed]

ive always used makita belts been ok, i have a makita sander

if you can get festool belt to fit yours its well worth a try, i have a festool ros and the paper is good quality, lasts ages

 

[squern]

Try Screwfix for sanding belts of various sizes. Good quality and affordable - they sell to the trade, so would soon get to know if anything wasn't up to snuff.
Axminster Power tools also good.
You must get the right size - check youir owner's manual

 

[squowse]

norton (or other) blue zirconium - sharpness lasts longer, pretty much essential for hardwoods if you value your time.
you can get them a lot cheaper than screwfix. eg bnd abrasives.

otherwise no name red aluminium oxide, not convinced that bosch etc; offer any more wear for the money.