Best Belt and Disc Sanders 2024

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Best Belt and Disc Sander Reviews

Best Belt Disc Sander Reviews Belt and disc sanders are popular due to the practicality and competitive pricing they bring to the table. These stationary machines offer a combination of a disc and belt sander in order to save you time, money and effort and they do all of these very well be it in woodworking or metalworking.  Their size ranges from medium to large and so does their power, effectively adapting to the needs of the novice woodworker that wants a great all-rounder to deal with anything that might come up to the experienced professional who wants to save time and be more practical with their sanding routine. I own a belt and disc sander along with their separated counterparts and for some tasks it’s incredible to just sit down and focus on a piece without having to run around grabbing different machines for different parts, having this combination makes them the most practical sanders in the market. If you’re on a budget and want to get a great all-purpose sander that is capable of dealing with any task you give it, these are the perfect choice. I’ve used quite a few and have made a selection of the machines that are, in my opinion, the very best belt disc sanders available on the market, ensuring you have an easy time finding the perfect one for your needs. Have a quick look at the all the belt and disc sanders reviewed below.

Best Belt and Disc Sanders Comparison

This is a quick overview of all the top belt and disc sanders I’ve tested.

Machine JET JSG-96OS WEN 6502 RIKON 50-151 POWERTEC BD6900 WEN 6509 JET J-41002 SHOP FOX W1712 JET JSG-6DCK Powermatic Model 31A
Picture
Price $$$ $ $ $$ $$ $$ $$$ $$$$ $$$$
Power 0.75 HP 0.5 HP - 4.3 AMP 0.33 HP - 2.3 AMP 1.2 HP - 7.5 AMP 1.2 HP - 9 AMP 0.75 HP - 6.2 AMP 1 HP 1.5 HP 1.5 HP
Dimensions 6x48 Inch Belt/9 Inch Disc 4x36 Inch Belt/6 Inch Disc 1x30 Inch Belt/5 Inch Disc 6x48 Inch Belt/9 Inch Disc 6x48 Inch Belt/9 Inch Disc 2x42 Inch Belt/8 Inch Disc 6x48 Inch Belt/10 Inch Disc 6x48 Inch Belt/12 Inch Disc 6x48 Inch Belt/12 Inch Disc
Stand
Power Source Electrical Electrical Electrical Electrical Electrical Electrical Electrical Electrical Electrical
Warranty 5 Years 2 Years 5 Years 1 Years 2 Years 5 Years 2 Years 5 Years 5 Years
Availability Shop at Amazon Shop at Amazon Shop Now Shop at Amazon Shop at Amazon Shop at Amazon Shop at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now

Belt and Disc Sander Reviews

Here you can read an in-depth analysis and opinion of each belt and disc sander seen above.

WEN 6502 4 x 36-Inch Belt and 6-Inch Disc Sander with Cast Iron Base

Both Rikon and Ryobi sell a very similar belt and disc sander with different colors for different prices. In my view, with the WEN you get 100% of their quality at a huge discount. The most compact solution on the list, the WEN 6502 is certainly a small belt and disc sander but still maintains a good quality body and decent features. It has a 4.3AMP 1/2 HP motor that works on the 4×36 Inch sanding belt and the 6 inch sanding disc.  The machine weighs only 40 pounds but still features a sturdy cast iron base to prevent any heavy vibrations and give stability to your work. The belt tilts anywhere from 0 to 90 degrees which is very convenient, you can plug your dust vacuum in its built-in dust collection port and the machine also comes with a handy support table and removable miter gauge. The WEN 6502 is a very affordable belt and disc sander that is lacking in advanced features or capability to handle larger and harder tasks but can still satisfy a hobbyist or beginner craftsman that will mainly work with smaller pieces.

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RIKON Power Tools 50-151 Belt with 5″ Disc Sander, 1″ x 30″, Blue

Rikon’s 50-151 belt and disc sander combo is not only a great machine but it’s also available at an immensely attractive price. With a 1″x30″ sanding belt and a 5″ sanding disc, it’s a versatile machine. Couple that with a 1/3 HP, 2.3 AMP motor and you’ve got a great machine for casual light-duty work. It’s well assembled and has built to last components such as a brush-less motor, sealed ball bearings and dust-protected switches. It’s fairly lightweight and small as well so it’s very easy to move around and store. It has two dust ports, one for each sander, which can be connected to dust collectors for extremely efficient dust removal. While Rikon’s machines have been a hit or miss for me, this one’s definitely a hit and I was surprised. Great buy for hobbyists that want a solid and inexpensive combo sander for light-duty work.

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POWERTEC BD6900 Woodworking Belt Disc Sander w/ Built-In Dust Collection, 6 x 9-Inch

Powertec brings us a solid belt and disc sander solution that features a 6” by 48” sanding belt coupled with a 9” sanding disc. It runs a 7AMP 1-1/5 HP motor that is strong enough to take on a variety of simple tasks that won’t leave much of a dusty mess around due to its built-in dust collection system that sends dust and chips straight into a bag. It features a very useful interchangeable support table that can be attached to either the belt or the disc very easily and it can be angled from 0 to 45 degrees for precise angle sanding. At 77 pounds it’s still lightweight and compact enough to carry around even with the solidly build body. Overall it’s a solid belt and disc sander, both in performance and features, that is a great and inexpensive option for hobbyists.

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WEN 6509 6 x 48″ Belt and 9″ Disc Sander with Stand

WEN’s best belt and disc sander solution yet, it combines all the good from the previous 6502 model with more power, more size and a great stand while still maintaining a great price tag.
It features a greatly improved 9AMP motor that provides up to 3450 RPM and a much larger 6-by-48 inch belt and a 9 inch disc. The sturdy 112 pounds cast iron body prevents any vibrations and is sure to endure hard work. The machine has a convenient tension release lever to make changing belts a breeze and two dust ports to ensure your work area stays clean. What I like most about the 6509 is the great stand which makes operating it much easier and of course the always appreciated 2 year warranty. The WEN 6509 brings you the best of small sanders – their versatility – and combines it with the greater power and sanding capabilities of large ones. It’s perfect for a hobbyist that wants a machine that can take on anything that gets thrown at it and also for the experienced craftsman that has a small shop and wants a great compact solution.

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JET J-41002 2-Inch by 42-Inch 3/4-Horsepower Bench Belt and 8-Inch Disc Sander

When it comes to benchtop belt and disc sander reviews, the J-41002 sits proudly at the top. Jet delivers, as they always do, a fantastic machine – the J-41002 is the best compact benchtop belt and disc sander I’ve ever used. It’s very well-built as I already expected from Jet, weighing 60 pounds with a cast body and heavy-duty base that is sure to last a lifetime. Featuring a 3/4HP motor that makes the 2-by-42 inch belt run at 3,450 RPM and the 8 inch disc at 3,100 SFPM, it has the perfect balance of power for a compact solution. The disc sander has a cast iron tilting table with a top-notch miter gauge that turns and locks for common angles, 45 degrees both left and right. This thing can take on wood or metal with ease and the results are always stunning. It includes a 2 year warranty from Jet which is always appreciated.  If you’re looking for a compact, powerful and high quality belt and disc sander solution, the J-41002 is an excellent choice.

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Shop Fox W1676 6-Inch by 10-Inch Combination Sander

The Shop Fox W1676 is a great budget medium port belt and disc sander as long as you don’t mind a rough finish on the paint and a few other small build issues. It has a 6-by-48 inch belt that can be moved from a horizontal position to a vertical 90 degrees one and a 10” cast iron disc which is a very good size combination. It’s run by a solid 1HP single-phase motor that puts out a maximum of 3450 RPM and has enough power to deal with a large variety of tasks. The body of the machine is sturdy and durable but the paintjob is somewhat sloppy and a few elements come a bit misaligned or slightly bent such as a few screws and other details. It weighs 60 pounds and features a built-in cabinet which is always handy to store tools or accessories and it has a built-in dust collecting system for the belt and disc as well. The Shop Fox W1676 lacks the high-quality finish and quality control of its competitors but if you’re on a budget and want a more serious and solid belt/disc sander this is a good option.

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JET 708596K JSG-96OS 6-Inch/9-Inch 3/4-Horsepower Open Stand Belt/Disc Sander, 115-Volt 1-Phase

The JET JSG-96OS is a stunning open stand belt/disc combination sander that does its best to bring you the capabilities of the bigger machines in a more compact way and without breaking the bank. With a decently powerful ¾ HP motor makes the 6-by- 48 inch sanding belt run at 2,258 SFPM and the 9” sanding disc at 1,725 RPM. The build quality is top-notch as Jet as accustomed us to, featuring a sealed ball bearings construction for longer life and it’s also steel platen for increased durability. The fit and finish of the whole machine is extremely well-done and no details were left behind. The machine has a built-in dust port that collects dust from both the belt and the disc, includes two 10-by-12 inches cast iron work tables that can be tilted from 0 to 45 degrees for precise angle sanding, an accurate miter gauge and the belt can be positioned flat or fully vertical in order to deal with whatever task you have at hand. When it comes to more compact belt/disc combination sanders, the Jet JSG-96OS blows everything else out of the water with great capabilities, versatility and an immense attention to quality and detail.

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JET 708599K JSG-6DCK 6-Inch/12-Inch 1-1/2 Horsepower Open Stand Belt/Disc Sander, 115-Volt 1 Phas

The JSG-6DCK is the bigger and more powerful variant of the smaller but already fantastic JSG-96SO. With a new and improved 1-1/2 HP single-phase motor working on the large 6-by-48 inch belt (runs at 2.500 SFPM) and huge 12” disc (runs at 1,725 RPM) , this thing can take care of large pieces quickly and with ease. This open-stand belt/disc sander has a high quality heavy-duty steel body that is sure to last decades of service and tone down the vibrations to allow for more precise work. The JSG-6DCK also features an excellent dust port that collects up to 95% of dust and debris that drop of the piece you’re working on to allow for a clean surface. The machine offers two cast-iron work tables that have stops at 45 and 90 degrees, an accurate and very useful miter gauge that can be applied to both the tables, a super-fast belt changing system and a pad-lockable start to prevent accidental start-ups or unauthorized use. This is my favorite combination sander that Jet has ever released and I highly recommend it for professionals that want a finely detailed, high-quality and powerful machine that can take on large, tough work and that will do so for decades without failing.

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Powermatic 1791291K Model 31A 6-Inch/12-Inch 1-1/2 Horsepower Belt/Disc Sander, 115/230-Volt 1 Phase

Let me say it right now, the Powermatic 31A is the best belt/disc sander I’ve ever used. It is an expensive machine if you’re a hobbyist craftsman but if you’re a professional this is what you should get if you want an excellent machine that delivers equally excellent results. With a potent 1-1/2HP motor the 31A can take on even the toughest tasks and the huge 6-by-48 inch belt (running at 2,410 SFPM) coupled with the 12” disc (running at 2,375 RPM)  ensures that you can sand even the largest pieces and surfaces without effort and without making a mess due to its effective dual dust port. Both the belt and the disc have a precision ground cast iron table with incredibly useful miter slots and the sanding belt can be positioned at any angle from 0° to 90° (horizontal to vertical) and includes indexing pin for 0º, 45°, and 90° stops. An outstanding detail is that the top guard of the sanding belt is removable, allowing for perfect contour sanding. This thing is built like a tank, featuring a full cast iron body with solid crowned aluminum drums for a smooth, no vibration sanding experience. At 275 pounds the 31A is heavy and extraordinarily durable and even then it includes a free 5 year warranty.
Powermatic once again brings truth to their famous slogan – “the golden standard”.

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My Recommended Combination Sander

When it comes to practicality and bang for your buck, belt disc sanders are unmatched. These belt disc sander reviews were a pleasure to create and I genuinely hope it helps you choose the right machine for your needs. All of them are sure to leave you satisfied but I have to recommend the JET JSG-96OS. While I like these machines for their practicality they also have to deliver when it comes to raw power, which stationary sanders are known for, and the JSG really hits the nail on the head on that part. Whatever part you choose to work with, the belt or the disc, it takes care of the job easily and it has an incredibly well-built body which is something I value tremendously. It deserves to be my favorite combination sander.

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Thank you for reading and don’t forget to leave your comments or questions below, I’ll see you in the next one!

20 Comments

  1. Would a Belt/Disc sander be good for sanding cut glass bottles?

  2. Awesome write up! Really easy to read and decide which machine’s the best. Thanks for the help James.

  3. 5 stars James! Thanks for the great help, it’s hard to decide when all of these combos look so good!

  4. It was very hard to decide between the Rikon and the JET JSG-96OS but the value/price balance that the Jet achieves is just too good to pass up. Anyway, fantastic work James on both the picks and their respective reviews, a true woodworker’s arsenal!

  5. My God the Powermatic is beyond excellent. I set it up with a dust collector – it’s an absolute revolution in my shop! Quality really is always worth the price of admission, thank you for the recommendations!

  6. My brother recommended me your blog and he was totally right! Made picking my new combo a breeze, keep up the good work James.

  7. Thanks for the awesome reviews James, just got 2 JET 96OS’s for me and my team and they’re fantastic machines. Can’t beat the value!

    • No problem at all Joe, I’m glad I could help. You’re absolutely right too, the JET combo sanders are excellent in both quality and price – enjoy!

  8. I’ve been using the Powermatic for two weeks and I couldn’t be happier, beyond fantastic machine. A huge thanks to you James

  9. James, this is fantastic work and I can finally understand why the guys at Lumberjock forums love you. Keep it up, just helped pick my new combo – the Powermatic. I’m a huge fan of them, much like you. Have an excellent 2018!

    • Fantastic choice Micah, it’s a classic Powermatic machine in the best way possible. Thanks for the compliment and have an equally great New Year!

  10. James you’re awesome, the guides are the best and I love the attention you give to the community. I got the Rikon because that price is too good. You’re the best man keep doing what you do!

  11. Your analysis and writing style is awesome, makes it so easy to know the machines. Also, I’ve always loved these combo sanders, I’m getting the tiny JET one since it’s all I have space for and I’m sure I’ll love it. TY!

  12. Awesome selection James. My father recommended me to get one of these since they’re literally a handy 2-in-1 and your review on the Jet JSG-96OS just sold it to me!

  13. Finally got myself a combo, the prices are just too good to pass. Ended up getting the JET JSG-6DCK and came back to say that it’s an absolutely fantastic machine, thanks for the recommendation James!

    • I’m happy to hear that Rich! The JSG-6DCK is a stunningly well-made combination sander and the price is indeed too good to pass.

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