Belt sander or orbital?

jmccracken1214

jmccracken1214

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Im building a desk, the top is 4 2x6 board

I dont have a planer so there are a few places where the boards meet, that 1 edge is slightly higher than the other.

Would I be ok with an orbital sander or do I need to get a hand belt sander to handle this?
 
Go rent a belt sander, you'll get the results you want much faster.
Just make sure the nail/screw heads are lower than the amount you need to sand off.
 
ronn47 said:
Go rent a belt sander, you'll get the results you want much faster.
Just make sure the nail/screw heads are lower than the amount you need to sand off.
Click to expand...
Home depot has a nice makita, not a cheap-o. $24 for the day. Ill pick that up tomorrow.

I forgot about renting tools from there. Ill get a few sanding blocks to finish sand it by hand afterwards.
 
jmccracken1214 said:
Thats a good idea. I used a kreg jig so all the screws are on the bottom.
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jmccracken1214 said:
Home depot has a nice makita, not a cheap-o. $24 for the day. Ill pick that up tomorrow.
I forgot about renting tools from there. Ill get a few sanding blocks to finish sand it by hand afterwards.
Click to expand...
My consultants fee is $1.298.
Post photos when you get finished, always nice to see everyone's projects on here.
 
orbital sander isn't for taking material off... it's for sanding a surface to a fine finish without leaving sanding marks. So, yeah, the belt sander is for you!

Since you built a desk with 2x6s, you likely will be just fine with the results after using the belt sander.
Since you used a Kreg Jig, you probably know what yer doin', just bein' frugal. ;)

BTW, after you get the surfaces even, you could glue a top on it. There's lots of choices.
 
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MacEntyre said:
orbital sander isn't for taking material off... it's for sanding a surface to a fine finish without leaving sanding marks. So, yeah, the belt sander is for you!

Since you built a desk with 2x6s, you likely will be just fine with the results after using the belt sander.
Since you used a Kreg Jig, you probably know what yer doin', just bein' frugal. ;)

BTW, after you get the surfaces even, you could glue a top on it. There's lots of choices.
Click to expand...
I’m staining the top, painting the bottom white.

Wife wants a farmhouse look. Should turn out pretty nice
 
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jmccracken1214 said:
Home depot has a nice makita, not a cheap-o. $24 for the day. Ill pick that up tomorrow.
Click to expand...
If I’m not mistaken, I own a belt sander but haven’t used it in forever. I only charge $23/day. :D
 
As others have said, belt sander for sure. You’d be there all week with an orbital.

Tip: check fb marketplace for used tools and big box store returns. I got a Ridgid belt sander for $45, had to order the dust bag for $7 on eBay. It’s been great for me and looked almost new when I got it.
 
Jeppo said:
If I’m not mistaken, I own a belt sander but haven’t used it in forever. I only charge $23/day. :D
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Wow, you'll do the job for $23 ??


:D
 
MacEntyre said:
orbital sander isn't for taking material off... it's for sanding a surface to a fine finish without leaving sanding marks.
Click to expand...

There is one known exception to this rule, and that is the Festool Rotex (RO-150 FEQ-plus). It has multiple settings regarding sanding aggression and on it's most aggressive setting it will outsand a hand held 4" wide belt sander.

Of course the darn thing costs a fortune, but that's beside the point! LOL
 
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