When it comes to sanding there is always that one tool that you turn to as a woodworker or hobbyists. For many woodworkers, it is either the belt or disc sander depending on the piece that requires sanding.

Since both the disc and belt sanders will serve a different purpose or will be suitable for different sanding needs, woodworkers need to have both. And it is this need that brought about the belt disc sander.

The belt disc sanders offer a combination of a disc and belt sander in one stationary machine. And this aims at helping you save money, time and effort.

You can get these sanders in various sizes and with a different belt and disc size and speed to ensure that there is something that suits the needs of all woodworkers.

What's Belt Disc Sander Used for?

Belt disc sanders are versatile power tools, but they will be great for two main tasks. The disc section of the sander will be great for precision edge work while the belt sander is handy when you want to flatten faces and edges, smoothing inside curves and shape contours on your wood pieces.

The popularity of the belt disc sander means that almost all the power tool manufacturers now produce them. But brands like Wen, Powertec, and Grizzly seem to be the most popular.

However, to make sure that you get a top-notch belt disc sander for your workshop you should not rely on the brand alone. Instead, you also need to consider factors like the motor power, disc/belt speed, and dust collection.

Below we compare some high performing belt disc sanders and provide a buying guide to help you pick the perfect model to add to your workshop.

#1. Wen 6502 4 x 36-Inch Belt and 6-Inch Disc Sander with Cast Iron Base

Editor's Rating: (4.1 / 5)

The Wen 6502 is a versatile belt disc sander designed to serve all your sanding needs in the workshop. It has one of the largest belt sanders on our list, and so you can be sure that it can handle all your long wood pieces.

The belt sander also tilts anywhere between 0 and 90 degrees to give you a variety of positioning options depending on the sanding project, and it is also easy to change.

But besides from the handy belt sander, the 6-inch diameter disc sander also handles a variety of applications but it is best for working on edges.

The 4.3 Amps motor provides this sander with more than enough power for all your applications. And the heavy duty cast iron base keeps it sturdy, minimizes vibrations and also makes it durable.

Editor's Rating: (4.1 / 5)

For the woodworkers searching for a belt disc sander with the primary features but are not willing to spend a lot of cash should go for the Wen 6515.

This compact and lightweight sander is the cheapest on our list, but it is still a handy tool to have in the workshop. And although the 2.3 Amps motor might not provide a lot of power it still produces enough for all your everyday sanding needs.

With the sturdy cast iron base on this sander, you will never have to worry about it wobbling when sanding. If you add in the beveling tables, you can always be sure of convenient and precise sanding.

There are also two dust ports on this belt disc sander for easy and efficient vacuuming.

Editor's Rating: (4 / 5)

Powertec BD4800 is the heaviest belt disc sander on our list, and this is an advantage since a more substantial base minimizes vibration and prevents wobbling.

It is also the most powerful model on our belt disc sander reviews thanks to the 5.5 Amps motor. And so you can always be sure of getting more than enough power whether you are using the disc or belt sander.

The worktable is interchangeable to allow you to use either a disc or belt sander but its aluminum cast construction is what makes it stand out as it means that it is highly durable.

You will also never have to trouble about keeping the workshop clean when sanding as it comes with a built-in dust collection system with a full-size bag to reduce the frequency of emptying.

If you are a hobbyist looking for a reliable belt disc sander for light duty work the Rikon 50-151 will be an excellent choice.

It is the lightest sander on our reviews, and so it is easy to move around which makes it excellent for use in different worksites.

The small 2.3 Amps motor provides enough power for light duty sanding projects such as small crafts, home decorations, and repair work.

But despite the lightweight, this sander still features heavy-duty and robust construction that comprises of some cast iron tables. And you can adjust the tables from 0 to 45 degrees.

There are also minimal vibrations when using this sander, and so it provides a quiet operation which is also a great feature.

Editor's Rating: (3.9 / 5)

Rikon 50-112 is the priciest belt disc sander on our reviews, but it is worth every extra buck that you will spend on it.

It features a heavy-duty cast iron and steel body that not only makes it a long-lasting sander but also ensures that you get a vibration-free operation.

The 36-inch long belt sander will bevel between 0 and 90 degrees which increases the versatility of the tool as you can use it for various sanding applications in the workshop.

With this belt disc sander, the disc will also not stick up above the belt, and this is also a significant advantage as it means that you will not need any additional space to accommodate the extra height.

Editor's Rating: (3.7 / 5)

Everything from the 4.3 Amps motor to the large belt and disc sanders aims to make sanding easier and more convenient for you. But there is still more to Skil 3376-01 than this.

This fantastic belt disc sander features a beveling table and adjustable belts angle that combine to make it possible to sand your workpieces at up to 90 degrees.

The sander uses tension spring adjustment for secure belt tracking, and it also has some pre-drilled holes to make it easy and quick to mount on a benchtop.

And the compact design of the best disc sander means that it will take up little space in your workshop and hence make it quite a convenient tool.

Editor's Rating: (4 / 5)

Grizzly H6070 is a lightweight and compact sander to ensure that you can move it around with ease. And although it looks bulky it is one of the lightest models in our reviews.

But besides from the compact design, there is still more to it. It uses a 1/3 horsepower motor that makes sanding easy and efficient even when working with contoured wood pieces.

Both the bet and disc tables will tilt up to 45 degrees to provide extra versatility. And you can use this sander with both metal and wood.

Combination tools like the belt disc sanders are very convenient as they save you a lot of space in the workshop and you also get to have all your sanding devices in one place.

While the disc provides more precise sanding and allows you to do edge work the belt makes it possible to smooth long, flat surfaces quickly.

But there are various models of belt disc sander out there, and not all will offer you the convenience and value that you desire. And so you should never just settle for the first one that you come across, and you should instead consider the following vital points when shopping

#1. Motor Power

A powerful motor is always a must-have in any power tool that you are buying as it determines the efficiency and performance. When shopping for belt disc sander, the motor power should always be one of the first factors to consider.

Belt disc sander will in most instances come with 2 to 5 Amps motor to provide enough power to run both the disc and belt sanders.

It is important to note that the more power the tool provides, the less the amount of work it will have to do. And this will be vital when doing some heavy sanding.

#2. Disc Diameter and Speed

Both the disc diameter and speed matter and so you should also consider them when choosing your sander. And since the disc and belt are different features of the same machine you need to think about their sizes independently.

The most common disc diameters are between 5 and 10 inches. And while every woodworker might have a particular size that they prefer it is important to note that the larger ones will give you more room to work with and are the best for sanding curves.

Disc speed determines how much time it takes to finish your sanding projects. While the fastest discs always seem the best you need a slower disc speed when doing some more delicate sanding.

#3. Belt Size and Speed

The size of the belt should give you some idea of the surface area you can sand at a go. If you work with large pieces of wood often, larger belts (those that are at least 36-inch long) are the best.

However, a sander with a small belt will be the best when you do not have a lot of space in the workshop.

For the belt speed, the faster the belt goes, the more the amount of material you can remove at a go. And so a sander with a fast belt speed is always the best when you have a lot of wood pieces that you want to smooth.

#4. Dust Collection

As you shop for the best belt disc sanders, you need to keep dust collection in mind because sanding can be quite a dirty job. Luckily, most belt disc sanders will come with a dust collector which can be in the form of an on-board dust bag or canister or a dust port.

However, it is essential to make sure that whatever the sanding dust collects in is large enough so that you will not have to keep stopping to empty it.

#5. Brands

There are always some companies that stand out when it comes to the manufacture of any power tool, and the belt disc sander is not an exception. Some of the brands that you can trust to have some top-notch quality belt disc sanders are Wen, Grizzly, Jet, Skil, Powertec, DeWalt, and Rikon.

Conclusion

Whether you are a professional woodworker, hobbyist, or even DIYer, you need the best belt disc sander for excellent results. 

There are more than enough models of these sanders to pick from in the market. And with our benchtop belt sander reviews and buying guide above the choice should be more straightforward for you.

The 7 best belt disc sanders on our reviews are all high performing and from reputable brands. But, by considering your needs, budget, and preferences, it should be easy to pick between them.