DEWALT DW431 3-Inch x 21-Inch Heavy Duty Variable Speed Electronic Belt Sander

Cheap DEWALT DW431 3-Inch x 21-Inch Heavy Duty Variable Speed Electronic Belt Sander Review

This is my favorite belt sander for shaping corners, edges and any work where you need a "light touch." I also own several 4x24 Porter Cables including the 503 - the locomotive of all belt sanders. The big sanders are great for flattening panels, but not much fun when you are using the sander to round corners or light work in some other position than horizontal. This DeWalt is easy to hold. It is balanced well. The bag does as good a job as any bag does in collecting some of the dust - and the bag does not obscure your view when you are using the sander for what it does best. A quality-built, reliable tool that has served me well for more than three years. I think it is a great value.

DEWALT DW431 3-Inch x 21-Inch Heavy Duty Variable Speed Electronic Belt Sander Overview

DeWalt's 3-by-21-inch belt sander is a popular choice with do-it-yourselfers and many professionals, as well. It has a 5.2 amp motor with electronic speed control that keeps the belt speed constant under load. The variable-speed dial is easy to use and recessed well enough to prevent unintended adjustments while working; however, it's located near the rear of the handle, making on-the-fly changes a little tricky. DeWalt mounted the dust bag on the front of the sander, and while this allows the tool to be used in tight spaces, we found that the arrangement forced us to work directly above the sander in order to maintain good visibility. As the tool heats and cools, expanding and contracting, the self-tensioning system adjusts the belt to prevent slippage. We found it to track well from one operation to the next, requiring little adjustment. This is a great sander for do-it-yourselfers and most professionals, but it's not quite as burly as the biggest 3-by-21-inch belt sanders on the market. People who intend to use a belt sander for the most strenuous tasks should consider a model with a bigger motor. --Brian Trinen



*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Mar 14, 2010 03:56:03