Belt sander or disc sander - or both?

[ruffdog]

I could get by with the 12" at home but if you have a shop or business, get a 16" or 18". Remember, with the 12", you only have about 6" above the table and with bigger pieces you will need the room.

 

[jbwilson]

Jim - I use a wire wheel attachment on s grinder for cleaning off rust, a flappy disc attachment for grinding off weld beads for a smooth finish and a pneumatic die grinder for grinding off my bad slag inclusion welds in tight corners.
John

 

[Jim Timber]

Like JbW, I also have a flap wheel in a 4.5" angle grinder, a cut-off wheel in another, a 60 grit stone in another yet, and a wire cup for removing rust in one more. I have a 8" stationary grinder I mainly only use for tungstens, and another 8" which has a weaker motor (northern tools brand) that has a flap disk on it and a buffing wheel on the other side.

I also have a die grinder, but I don't use it for post weld work unless I have porosity I can't get out of a tight spot or a bead gets in the way of another pieces fitup. The die grinder is really handy for making oval holes when you're putting tube through at an angle.

 

[lostcreekranch]

+1 on the Harbor Freight 12" disc sander. I bought mine about 3-4 years ago and use it for wood only. Waiting for another good sale to get one for metal work.

12" Benchtop Disc Sander

Like others, I think a heavier iron table would be a plus when doing metal work.

 

[dragoneggs]

I have a combo disc/belt and rarely use it for metal. I have a bunch of cheap HF hand disc grinders with different wheels and find those most handy most of the time. I would like a large 12in or larger disc with enough power not to bog down though. The older I get the less I want to deal with combo machines. Always seem to be a compromise.

 

[Ed of all trades]

I have a 2 x 72 belt grinder that has a flat place to grind, a slack place for a more rounded shape and a small wheel attachment that can cope pipe ect very easily. Works fast and is designed for metal. Ed

 

[Shield Arc]

I bought this one a few months ago. So far very impressed with it.
Combination Sander 6" x 48" Belt 12" Disc 1725 RPM | Grizzly Industrial

 

[dragoneggs]

I bought this one a few months ago. So far very impressed with it. Combination Sander 6" x 48" Belt 12" Disc 1725 RPM | Grizzly Industrial

Much nicer than my old goat. Are you running on 220v?

 

[Shield Arc]

Are you running on 220v?

No, 120-volt.