You can buy mirka abranet bands that fit this sander, branded abranet max. They are more expensive than standard sanding bands but make sense if you are doing paint stripping or sanding wood like reclaimed worktops that have already been oiled. It’s a shame that Festool seem to be turning their back on some of the more unique tools that they made.
Hi Andrew, Thank you for the tip, I don’t mind paying a bit extra for belts so long as they last. And I do love the Mirka Abranet for hand sanding - so they should be worth the extra in the belt sander. Yes Festool seem to be turning away from a number of things at the moment - who knows what they are planning. Some of the recent CMS decisions as an example are very strange. Cheers Andy
i'm a 30 yr plus wood worker / installer .. and i'll tell you that is the best belt sander design by far . i use a belt sander nearly every day scribing shelves , counter tops etc to fit .. the flat back design aids in judging the angle you are riding on any surface as well as making it simple to flip over and sand items with belt on top (no add on supports needed :P ) i've been using a olddd bosch sander that has been discontinued for years that looks nearly identicle to the festool version . i even watch ebay for old ones to use for parts cause till today .. no other belt sander will do .. so now i'm pissed off at you for showing this cause .. i'll have to buy one hahahaha .. thanks for your channel .. i enjoy it :)
Thanks for the feedback - yes the research suggested it was a quality device - in fact the design hasn’t changed for over 25 years. And boy is it good. The variable speed is also a great feature makes it pretty delicate if required. Somebody else has pointed out the similarity to the Bosch design - and have also sent the link for the Bosch rip fence. That looks like it may fit so will take a punt on that. The only down side is that price tag - but This thing is so solid it will outlive me. I would keep using the Bosch until it blows up and eBay has run out of spares. But if it does break...... you know you want to... Insert crazy laugh......... Andy
I greatly appreciate these excellent informative videos of yours! Like you, I too invested in the MFT and ended choosing ( almost ) the same remedies to its inherent design problems you noted in other videos. In this video, we see again how Festool has taken a well-known idea that has been around for at least my lifetime, and probably as long a belt sanders existed. I would love to buy one of these, but they are not available here in the USA, and they run on 240 instead of North America's standard 120 volt system. Given the extreme torque required to overcome the great friction of belt-sanding, that BS 75E version seems like a good idea. Until Festool sells these in the US, I will continue to use my 40 year old, Swiss-made Bosch belt-sander, which is essentially the same thing but FAR less expensive: About $120 US dollars in 1979) It STILL works perfectly, despite being abused and used for decades. I've only had to lubricate it and replace brushes. Amazingly, those Swiss bearing are still running smoothly! It too has the flat top for easy inversion and use as a stationary bench mounted tool. It also has side-mounted nuts for attaching the sanding "skid" ( as we call it here) I've heard that attachment called a "platen" too. However, my old Skid was dropped and broke over a decade ago so I had to fabricate another one from aluminum stock and felt pads instead of short brush bristles. It's difficult to repay you for your efforts in investigating, using, and reviewing these tools for us. But I can offer one small repayment that relates to this Belt-sander, in the form of another video available on RU-vid. The jig is called a "delicate chamfer device," and was originally conceived by the brilliant mind of Pocket83. He has THREE videos describing the device in detail and how to build it using a cheap belt sander like those found in HomeDepot, or Lowes stores here in the USA. Mine is nearly identical to his and it works beautifully! Please check out his videos to learn more. You may find it is worth the effort to make one for many of your projects. I will provide a link to the LAST video in his three-part series here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Ce957H-HWOw.html I hope that helps YOU make your Fancy Festool sander even more useful! Kind regards and THANK YOU again1
Thank you for the feedback, I believe the original Bosch was an awesome tool - but have seen mixed reviews on the quality of the newer version. Also the frame seems to have vanished from the new product. The Festool is a quality product, but this one they didn’t design - I believe they bought the company and re-branded. And the design hasn’t changed since. But then again, if it ain’t broke.... I like the idea of the chamfer devisce - I can see that coming in handy. I will check out the series for sure. Cheers Andy
Thanks, this is an issue I currently have as well so this has been very helpful. One thing that would also be helpful is the quality of sanding belts/discs/papers etc. Which brands are best value?
I love your reviews and channel. This is probably the only festool that I would not get. Festool ingenuity and their ability to do detail work is second to none. But unlike like the Rotex which has many functions a belt sander is still just a belt sander. Brute of a machine. I can’t justify the cost on this one.
Yes I hear you, and as I said in the video, I purchased it for a very specific reason. And for that - no comparison. And thank you for the feedback on the channel. Cheers Andy
Absolutely love festool products, love this tool , totally understand why you went for it . The only thing that let's it down ,and festool products is the price !!! .......🤣🤣🤣🤣. Great review 👌👌
Thanks for this, Yes I had to shut my eyes and go for it - but glad I did. Hopefully when the pain of the cost has gone the device will still be going strong. Cheers Andy
I love this sander, especially the fact that you can use the stand with it. Multifunctional and it’s going to be fun for you to get to grips with. Question. Is the front and back wheels plastic or metal? I understand why people say Festool is too expensive, but you can’t take away the fact that when a festool tool is in your hands it’s a quality tool and an investment. I had a PSB 300 jigsaw that lasted well over 10 years doing site work so it paid for itself many times over.
Hi Jason, Yes it is just a cool machine, found some MDF in my wood store today just the right size for a CMS insert - so that could be on the way. The drive wheel is metal, with a soft rubber coating (I assume for maximum friction) the front wheel is a hard plastic. Yes they are expensive - in a professional shop they make sense as they have a long life and speed up production - but I get why some folk think they are overpriced. Like all things, it depends on what you want. For me, go for high quality every time. Cheers Andy
The Woodgrafter people don’t understand why Festool tools are so high priced when you think about the engineering that goes into making parts. That’s why I asked about the wheels/rollers.👍🏻
Hi, quite a long review, thoroughly tough, but well presented. Congrats. I use this machine for 20 years, so I am happy with it. Really versatile! If you are a "real" furniture maker you need this instead of a rotex. (That one is for painters;)) Also bought the bigger version lately, very pleased with it. The longer you use this machine the more possibilities you will discover. for instance putting it on its side (with some adjustments) makes it a square sander. But if you have a stationary moulder with feeder ; buy the festool sanding tool, then you don't need a stationary sander at all! With my Felder I do all most my sanding before assembly. Well, good luck!
Thank you, Yes discovered on the side trick the other day. Fantastic, I seem to find a new use for this tool everyday. Bought it to flatten panels, but so much more than that. Please expand on the stationary moulded comment - sounds interesting. Andy
@@TheWoodgrafter you have to do some adjustments to have it be square. If you spend some time more you can actually make a guidance system so you can use it even more accurate.
@@TheWoodgrafter you can also check if the frame is well balanced by letting it just touch the surface of a flat surface like MDF. By the scratches you can see if it is well balanced because out of the fabric it isn't always, so you can adjust it yourself carefully. It takes some time but you will notice the difference. Have fun!
The jack plane will get you so far, then the smoothing plane will take you the extra mile. It all comes down to productivity, I used to do it all by hand as a hobby. But when you step up to charging for your work, you need think about productivity to stay competitive. Hence why I also introduced the planer,jointer into the process :-) Cheers Andy
Congratulations on your new purchase Andy. I had previously owned a 16-32 drum sander that was ridiculously erratic in providing quality results. I just didn’t find the engineering works well for consistent and reliable flattening for my needs. Having the adjustable sanding frame on a belt sander which can be moved along the material front to back and side to side would certainly help reducing the gumming of resin upon the belt which can spoil the project plus the quick change of belts is certainly easier and faster than with my former drum sander experience. This Festool belt sander kit looks indeed like a good portable option that may fill certain users specific needs much better. Thanks for another informative video.
Hi, Thank you for the really positive and constructive feedback. I am sure others will learn from your input. I find new things to do with that tool every day, I even discovered I can easily put it on its side as well as its back. Great static bench sander. Also used it without the frame to bring a really crappy joint I made into flatness just great. Really glad I purchased this - a regular part of my workflow. Cheers Andy
Great review Andy...very well presented. Like I said on your last video, "that looks like a beast of a sander" boy oh boy it is!... Can you not use the levelling plate when its upside down and utilise it when flattening the edges, just a thought... Cheers Paul
Thanks Paul, Yes it is a beast - but so warm and cuddly when you get to know it (bit random - been in the house to long, and my wood supplier is closed) You could in theory use the plate on the edge, and yes that would give you a ref surface - will give it a go and see if it helps. The rip fence is the way to go. Looks like the design of this sander is the same to the old Bosch design - and they still produce a rip fence - so will be getting hold of one of those to see if it fits. Talk soon. Andy
Nice No I haven’t made it yet. I will be making a cabinet for the Capex at some point and will have the belt sander built-in as some sort of pivoting unit. Cheers Andy
Hi. Thanks for the great video. Wondering whether you think this might be a good option for sanding a 50 year old T and G (V join) hardwood ceiling, boards 100mm wide. I have about 350 square metres to sand before oiling! Obviously getting the right tool will be critical, given how much sanding is in front of me. Thanks.
Ouch - now that is a job. I would go for something lighter than the belt sander. Probably a 150 rotex to give the flexibility of heavy work and fine finish. The v groove is the challenge on that job. I think it is the rotex 75 that has an angle attachment that should get into the V. Depending on the finish, a chemical option or heat option could be a way forward to do the heavy lifting. Then finish with a rotex 75. Cheers Andy
Hi they are a standard size 75 mm x 533 mm so yes about 3 x 21. In fact the ones in this video are a third party brand not the Festool ones. Hope this helps. Andy
Hi, firstly you will not hear me say a rotex is better than a belt sander because frankly after over 40 years as a cabinet maker its not. An orbital is a finishing sander and as you rightly say if you want stock removal and to leave it as flat as possible you need a belt sander. I am a big fan of Festool equipment but not the price's, how ever 'Festool Steve' the rep who I know very well, always says that you get what you pay for and a tool that will last longer and give a brilliant guarantee. This I find difficult to argue with, being an owner and user of many of their tools. However I will say the cost of both the rotex and this belt sander is vastly overpriced, especially as this tool is only 75mm wide which commercially is not very good. I would recommend the Makita 9403 which is 100mm wide and a vastly superior machine for the money at under £300. I am a little disappointed with the machine you have just demonstrated as its quite small and reminds me of a Black and Decker one I had about 30 years ago, and because of the size was totally unfit to use commercially. I know this will upset the Festool boys on here but you have to look at cost for people and most would find £500 a bit steep for a small belt sander. I just hope 'Festool Steve' does not see my post as he will give me a hard time. But I can tell you I have used the Makita sander and it is hard to beat, it doesn't have the fancy frame, but the weight of it just keeps the machine flat. While I have used the granit disks on the rotex, I would highly recommend going for the mirka gold disks for the rotex and mirka belts for the sander mainly on cost and quality. By the way you can follow 'Festool Steve' on instagram.
Hi Gary, Thanks for the feedback, I agree the belt sander is awesome for flattening panels. And also agree, it is one expensive machine - but it was one of the few on the market that had a quality frame - so don’t regret it. The positive thing is that I won’t have to spring for the ROTEX now - as I have a good set up between this and the orbit sander. I can see what you mean by the size, time will tell If I need the additional size or not (early days). The quality of this device is awesome and so well built so it will probably outlive me and set up is a breeze. Can’t wait to build the CMS insert and use it on its side - that will be while new thing. Anyway - thank you for taking the time to comment - and we won’t tell Festool Steve what you said. Cheers Andy
It's secret is the refinement of this machine. The guidance is essential, no other machines are doing the same. Only the old FEIN maybe but these were monsters 380v machines. And I am using the 105 recently and that is just the one you want a side. Cheers
looks great but i use belt sanders everyday and we all know the downfall its the axis they run on, it always fails so to pay £450 on another machine that srewfix can supply for £50 its just money chucked away mate, if you also know how to use a belt sander this fest one is a useless tool
Well like I mentioned, I used this machine for almost 20 years... Really happy with it... And yes you can make it suffering, no problem. You need to replace the thing under the sandbelt, which leaves some silver bits. (That is a sort of Teflon)
Right, don't buy it. Too expensive as you don't know what it is. I am having one for 20 years, once repaired, and still going strong. This machine made me more money than any other.
