an amazing machine i paid over £100 for mine
with thanks to weegie
http://www.tjhughes.co.uk/fcp/product/b ... -Case/5573

but beware its a big beestie twice the size and weight off a 3"belt sander

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we are all ------------------still learning

A few bargains to be had in tj hughes.

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It may seem difficult at first! But everything is difficult at first.

Nice find BA, ive just ordered the ryobi 6 pack & the belt sander for my nephew. & ive ordered the 18v AEG for £80 for myself, that will get my planer going again also. The drill naked is £97 from what i could find so its a big ass bargain all round!.

just be aware the box is big enough to use as a suitcase
tool station and its london are where i get my sand paper/discs/belts from but off course shop around

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we are all ------------------still learning

Is the sanding frame any good?
I've got an old dining table that i've been fixing up, but it has a few marks in the top that I could do with sanding out.

Cheers
J

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I am not a pro.

sorry missed this answer yes the frame is perfect because its physically impossible to dig the heel in

just be aware any finish will clog the belts up quickly but a wire brush against the rotating belt will clear it

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we are all ------------------still learning

Cheers BA,
Got my suitcase the other day, haven't had a chance to try it yet.

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I am not a pro.

some helpful tips with a 4" belt sander

its a very powerful tool if you are using it on any surface where its no attached to a very heavy base then it will need support as in lean against a wall and do random sanding keep the sander moving never going further than around 1or2" sideways over about 2 ft/half length do random distances and widths and turn around and match up the other half this assumes on its own light base or supported on a workmate or bench against a stop or wall
if you have any steps then try and avoid the edge off the belt against the step
if you plan on using on flooring or large stepped area please ask for further guidance

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we are all ------------------still learning

Many thanks again,
I've not used one before. It's a bit cold in the garage to be trying it out just yet, i'm sure i'll be back on here asking advice when the time comes.

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I am not a pro.

other things to note

it has a soft start so when you pull the trigger nothing happens for about 1/2 a second

always hold onto the sander when plugging in in case its turned on

start the sander before touching the work

if you are sanding on a work bench that is substantial you will need to screw /clamp a batton to hold the work iff you dont the sander will quite happily fire a table top off the bench
you can also use a router mat the best £5 you'll ever spend
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Hand+To ... /sd/p85326
always sand with the grain or a maximum 5degrees
brace yourself as the sander will pull you over iff your not ready
let the sander do the work its heavy enough
start with course then work down to fine 40 or 60 to 80 or100 then 120 though you can go 60 to 120 no probs

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we are all ------------------still learning