Porter Cable Belt Sanders, which one or none?

Matthew Schalit

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Jun 24, 2003, 5:25:56 PM6/24/03

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Hi, I was interested in a Porter Cable 3x21, but then
I figured if I was only going to get one, why not
just get the 4x24, 362VS?

Anything wrong with them, or is there a better way
to flatten woodworking benches and other big stuff?
If I don't have a joiner or a Delta planer, can I
suffice with a Jack plane or similar?

Thanks naw,
Matt

Bay Area Dave

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Jun 24, 2003, 6:23:21 PM6/24/03

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Matt,

You would have the world's smallest workbench if you could run it thru a
jointer! <g> Better to use a plane, I think. I've been procrastinating
about ordering a Veritas low angle block plane... I have but one small
plane so far. I've concentrated on buying the big stuff and now it's
time to fill in with the handtools like planes and chisels.

dave

Lew Hodgett

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Jun 24, 2003, 9:47:15 PM6/24/03

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"Matthew Schalit" writes:

> Hi, I was interested in a Porter Cable 3x21, but then
> I figured if I was only going to get one, why not
> just get the 4x24, 362VS?

<snip>

IMHO, they are both garbage, having had P/C rebuild one about 5-6 times on
their nickel after I destroyed it in quick fashion. (2 weeks max)

OTOH, Porter-Cable also makes what I consider the best belt sander
available, the 50*, with or with out dust bag.

Dang if I can figure out why somebody would want to clutter up a good belt
sander with a dust bag, but to each his own.

Haven't priced one for awhile, but my guess is about $450 these days.

You will only buy a belt sander once in your lifetime if you get a 50*, the
thing is a beast which is exactly why I bought it.

Haven't been able to destroy it in over 4 years, but did have to replace it
after it was stolen.

Trust me, that was a major Ouch.

Personally, would never consider a belt sander as a finishing tool, but
rather it is an abrasive stock removal machine.

If you want to use a belt sander as a finishing tool, there are better ways,
IMHO.

HTH

--
Lew

S/A: Challenge, The Bullet Proof Boat, (Under Construction in the Southland)
Visit: <http://home.earthlink.net/~lewhodgett> for Pictures

Matt Schalit

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Jun 26, 2003, 12:58:41 AM6/26/03

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A 6" workbench, cuz I can't afford the 8" jointer, heh.

A low angle plane sounds good for hardwood. Will I only
buy one plane of a given size in my life so buy Lie-Nielsens?
You mentioned Veritas, I'll check those out. Did Stanley make
their name with planes or something? I was surprised to see
so much about them in woodworking catalogs.

How about best woodworking schools in the US?
Matt

Matt Schalit

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Jun 26, 2003, 12:59:09 AM6/26/03

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Lew Hodgett wrote:
> "Matthew Schalit" writes:
>
>
>>Hi, I was interested in a Porter Cable 3x21, but then
>>I figured if I was only going to get one, why not
>>just get the 4x24, 362VS?
>
> <snip>
>
> IMHO, they are both garbage, having had P/C rebuild one about 5-6 times on
> their nickel after I destroyed it in quick fashion. (2 weeks max)
>
> OTOH, Porter-Cable also makes what I consider the best belt sander
> available, the 50*, with or with out dust bag.

Thanks for the reply. I went on searching this ng
after I posted last night and found a few of your
old threads on this subject, pictures of the boat, and
stories of 16 grit belts. That's like rocks epoxyed
to a piece of leather. Sort of like shooting at the
general area with some double aught buckshot, but much
less frowned upon by the neighbors. Of course in Oregon
they use chainsaws for just about everything, flipping
pancakes, carving the turkey, edging the lawn....

I meant to ask, is the thing to the stern of the keel
a mount for your steerage system? If so, how much lower
would the rudder extend below the mount?
Matt

Lew Hodgett

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Jun 26, 2003, 1:52:45 AM6/26/03

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"Matt Schalit" writes:

> I went on searching this ng
> after I posted last night and found a few of your
> old threads on this subject, pictures of the boat, and
> stories of 16 grit belts. That's like rocks epoxyed
> to a piece of leather.

Yep, but if you are shaping epoxy and knitted glass, it is what gets the job
done.

>Sort of like shooting at the
> general area with some double aught buckshot, but much
> less frowned upon by the neighbors.

I can drink to that.

>Of course in Oregon
> they use chainsaws for just about everything, flipping
> pancakes, carving the turkey, edging the lawn....

I can dig it.

> I meant to ask, is the thing to the stern of the keel
> a mount for your steerage system? If so, how much lower
> would the rudder extend below the mount?

Think you are referring to what is known as a skeg.

If so, the rudder and the skeg bottoms are at the same elevation, 3" higher
than the bottom of the keel which BTW, is filled with 20,000 lbs of lead.

HTH

BTW, good luck on a belt sander search.