Bench Grinder vs Bench Sander (disc & belt)

[rsw81]

I'm impatiently waiting for my kit to arrive in about a week, and am getting some last minute tools together. I'm debating between adding a bench grinder vs getting a combo bench sander that has a disc and a belt. Anybody want to chime in on the pros and cons of each, or which you think would be more valuable in the build?

Thanks,
Rob

[Houdini]

belt sander is more precise to do clearincing on double d shafting
have not done much grinding with bench grinder, small portable 4 or 4 1/2 in may have more use if you have to grind or weld on frame

[JohnK]

I picked up one of these at the start of my build, and have already used it more times than I can count:

https://www.amazon.com/RIKON-Power-Tools-50-122-Sander/dp/B00SOR43O0

I also have a bench grinder that I very seldom use. I vote for the combo sander.

[Blue Viking]

I picked up one of these at the start of my build, and have already used it more times than I can count:

https://www.amazon.com/RIKON-Power-Tools-50-122-Sander/dp/B00SOR43O0

I also have a bench grinder that I very seldom use. I vote for the combo sander.


Hmmm, I've been contemplating one of these for a while now, but not really found a good excuse to buy it ( like a job that can only be done properly if you have one). Never having owned one, what are the types of jobs where you find this becomes invaluable?

[JohnK]

Honestly, there probably aren't many jobs that can't be done properly without it, but lots of jobs that are just a little easier with it. For example, (off the top of my head) when I cut the rod ends for the sway bars, I was able to square the cut ends and clean them up. Shock and sway bar spacers that were a touch too long or not square or full of burrs all got cleaned up on the disc sander... nothing that couldn't have been done with a file. Sheetmetal and bracket edges cleaned up... lots of little tasks.

[Blue Viking]

Honestly, there probably aren't many jobs that can't be done properly without it, but lots of jobs that are just a little easier with it. For example, (off the top of my head) when I cut the rod ends for the sway bars, I was able to square the cut ends and clean them up. Shock and sway bar spacers that were a touch too long or not square or full of burrs all got cleaned up on the disc sander... nothing that couldn't have been done with a file. Sheetmetal and bracket edges cleaned up... lots of little tasks.

Thanks John. Pretty much what I thought. I do a lot of freehand stuff with an angle grinder that a belt sander probably would do with a much better degree of control. Will see about getting one while waiting for the kit...

[CraigS]

Go with the sander. get the largest one you can find. I bought this maybe 8 yrs ago.
https://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-4-hp-6inch-x-9inch-belt-disc-sander/p-00922500000P?plpSellerId=Sears&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1
I bought it for a wood working project but it is invaluable. Before I got an old lathe I was able to trim and square the ends of the UCA sleeves which is dang near impossible any other common garage equipment way. I use it w/ the belt in a horizontal position mostly. When you cut a piece of aluminum it is really nice to be able to clean up the edges and round the corners. Be sure the small 'table' for the disc is real solid. No bent sheet metal, you want a casting.

[edwardb]

I've been using a Delta 1-inch belt/8-inch disk sander for years, and has been indispensable throughout my builds. I use it multiple times a day. I can't put a number on how many parts I've fabricated. But between the belt and the disk, works great to clean up edges, straighten edges of aluminum, clean up cut-off bolts, etc. Models with a wider belt have their advantages. But I also like how the smaller 1-inch belt can reach around inside of things. This is the one I have, and it's now discontinued. Although I found I can still get parts for it. One of the table handles broke, and figured I was going to have to buy a new one. Several options, including the Jet brand I was looking at. But found the part and that was a slightly cheaper option. For now. :p

https://www.wttool.com/index/page/product/product_id/14853/name/1+Belt+8+Disc+Sander+Delta+INACTIVE

[Jdav]

I have a Ryobi grinder that I used several times on the build (https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-2-1-Amp-6-in-Grinder-with-LED-Lights-BG612G/205216320). Its pretty cheap, but worked just fine for my needs. I do go over things with a sander after grinding, so it might be worth having both tools and going with lower end stuff if you arent going to use them a lot outside of the build.

[NAZ]

You'll use a sander more frequently than a grinding wheel but bench grinders do much more than simply grind steel.

I do a lot of fabrication work and I have one combo belt/disc sander and two pedestal grinders I use 7-days a week. The two grinders are outfitted with grinding wheels, a large SS wire wheel, and a med-hard cloth polishing wheel (two grinders and four wheels). One of the grinding wheels is used only for sharpening TIG tungsten and the other is a large course grinding wheel for roughing steel -- that wheel is only used occasionally. Together, all three of these are essentials for my work. If I didn't TIG weld I'd probably have just one grinder and it would be outfitted with a polishing wheel and wire wheel.

[Avalanche325]

I have a bench grinder. I don't use it that much. I wish I had a disc / belt sander. when I did my build I would have used it constantly.

Go for the sander.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Have two bench grinders one has wire & polishing wheels the other aggressive & not so aggressive grit wheels. The belt/disc combo got a lot of use building the car & a good choice if you only want one machine.

[rsw81]

Thanks for all the responses guys/gals. I figured the combo sander would be more useful, and glad to hear I'm not entirely off base. I think I'll do the bench sander and just acquire a cordless angle grinder such that I don't need a bench grinder.

[japollon]

I have a couple of different iterations of grinder/sanders. See the picture below. The one in the background is and older version of the one Edwardb mentions. It's a 1" sanding belt with a disk on the side. It's an invaluable tool. The one in the foreground is called a MultiTool. I've had it a year or so and it also is very versatile. You buy the tool without the motor. I picked up the 3/4 hp motor at Harbor Freight. The MultiTool has both sanding belts in various grits as well as a polishing belt. I find that these days I use the MultiTool the most. The other side of the motor has a wire brush wheel.

108140

[silver_pilate]

I use this puppy all the time:

https://i.imgur.com/KCsW0sr.jpg

It's a 3 hp variable speed 2x72" that can run dead slow all the way up to balls out and chews steel like candy. I've had it for years while making knives, and it's an indispensable tool for me. I also have an 8" precision ground flat disc set up on a 3/4 hp motor and the same VFD, though the flat platen on the belt grinder is usually enough. I haven't touched a bench grinder in years.

[lance corsi]

My belt sander is a 2 X 48”, the disc is 12”. I have also added a wire wheel outboard of my sanding belt where I can clean up burred threads or edges without getting overly aggressive. I mostly use my pedistal grinder for sharpening drill bits and tig tungsten. Both are good additions for any shop but I use my sanding machine more than my grinder.

[CraigS]

On sale now at HF
https://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-x-36-inch-belt-6-inch-disc-sander-97181.html?ccdenc=eyJjb2RlIjoiMTU0NjI3ODIiLCJza3Ui OiI5NzE4MSIsImlzIjoiNjQuNzkiLCJwcm9kdWN0X2lk%0D%0A IjoiMzY5OSJ9%0D%0A&utm_source=1021&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2219b1-UnbeatableToolDeals&cid=mEmail-s1021-c2219b1-UnbeatableToolDeals&lid=1,908,493,565