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Need a belt sander. Have used [url= http://www.screwfix.com/p/makita-9403-2-4-belt-sander-240v/73893 ]this Makita[/url] before which was good, heavy duty, no problems. Most of my other power tools are Hitachi as they've come up on special offers etc, and have generally seemed as good as Makita but a little cheaper.
[url= http://www.its.co.uk/pd/SB10V2-Hitachi-4-Belt-Sander-_HITSB10V2.htm ]This Hitachi[/url] sander is variable speed which seems like it might be worth having, but perhaps it's a gimmick? The main job is for sanding the edges of some floorboards, but expect it'll be used for all sorts of other stuff as well.
Which would you buy? Should I just go for the better colour?
Cheers!
I'd go fo the Makita - I'm guessing the swivelly dust bag would be handy if your sanding near skirtings etc as you can move it about ?
Hitatchi is nice colours though
I think I'll be taping a vacuum cleaner hose to the dust port, but that's a good point.
I'd go with the Hitachi. I gave up on Makita about ten years ago. They're solid but not quite as good as they could be, and my little 3" belt sander is forever bunging up or getting a sticky switch. It's on it's third replacement switch.
Hitachi, on the other hand, are well thought out, and slightly better made.
They're both 610mm belts, the Hitachi is over a kg lighter, which helps, and cheaper.
Me, I'd get the Hitachi.
but this is more important!
Went for the Hitachi in the end. It's hugely more powerful than the 3" ones I've used before! Very noisy too, ear plugs plus ear defenders required for prolonged use!