Black & Decker Precision Belt Sander

[Andreas]

This is one of my all-time favorite power tools, and one that I frankly haven't seen many places - it seems to be a hidden treasure in the world of power tools:
http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductGuide/Product-Details.aspx?ProductID=18866

The B&D (sure there are other brands that make similar ones) Precision Belt Sander is basically the offspring of a chainsaw and a belt sander. It uses a thing sanding belt and offers great maneuverability. It's extremely powerful and if you use rough sanding paper (say 40 grit) it's like using a hot knife on butter. It's one of my most used tools and really nice to have when you do a lot of DIY'ing.

Below is a link to a video I shot today. It didn't turn out great- this is really a two hand tool, so trying to operate it with one hand while filming with the other is sort of like drunk driving with a blindfold. It didn't sand too "hard" on the video because I didn't apply pressure and I was using 120 grit paper, but you get the idea.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cptnodegard/4862838268/in/set-72157624176713645/

Just thought I'd let people know about this great tool, it really has helped me a lot and for something like making SAK scales it's simply awesome

[Silentsniper441]

can you set it on a table and use it like that instead of holding it like a chainsaw?

[Andreas]

Sure, you can put it in a clamp or something, not that much sanding surface to work with but I often do that to round off things like SAK scales

[Sparky415]

They are sometimes called 'power files' over here if anyone is looking for them online 
They can be a very usefull tool! 

[Andreas]

Worked great to clamp it down, haven't really done that before but decided to give it a try with my latest SAK scales

[J-sews]

I definitely need to get me one of those

[Mike 56]

Cool looks like a nice tool here is a cheap one that Harbor Fright sells. http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/sanders/1-2-half-inch-bandfile-belt-sander-92158.html This is the one i am thinking about buying. http://www.harborfreight.com/garage-shop/stationary-sanders/1-inch-x-30-inch-belt-sander-2485.html
Mike

[Andreas]

After 2 fake Dremels, 1 cheap belt sander and 2 cheap drills I stoppe dbuying the cheap version of stuff - think I'm too hard on the poor tools  That's why I don't have a regular belt sander now, don't want to spend the money on a brand name one and don't want to buy more "temporary" ones

[Sparky415]

This is the one i am thinking about buying. http://www.harborfreight.com/garage-shop/stationary-sanders/1-inch-x-30-inch-belt-sander-2485.html
Mike

Mike,
I have a second hand one of these I found on Ebay a month ago
I would recommend it as its a really great tool! 
 (probably not quite powerful enough for knife making  )

[Mike 56]

Thanks Sparky for the heads up. I have some Harbor Freght tools that have been real good like my 8in drill press about everyone i know has one. I also have a 8inch polisher that put open coat sanding disks on that has had been beat to death and still works good. I have not tried the 6 dollar dreamels or the 9dollar angle grinder but i have bought air nailers and staplers and both were a joke.
Mike

[Sparky415]

Thanks Sparky for the heads up. I have some Harbor Freght tools that have been real good like my 8in drill press about everyone i know has one. I also have a 8inch polisher that put open coat sanding disks on that has had been beat to death and still works good. I have not tried the 6 dollar dreamels or the 9dollar angle grinder but i have bought air nailers and staplers and both were a joke.
Mike

Mike,
Mine is a different make and colour but it looks like the same tool to me  (see pics below)
I connect my vacuum cleaner up to it when I'm using it