Edge sanders are power tools that are used to sand the edges and ends of wood boards and other materials. We use them in woodworking and carpentry to smooth out rough edges, remove imperfections, and create a polished, finished look.
Edge sanders are extremely helpful for a number of reasons. First, they allow you to smoothly sand the edges of a board or piece of wood, which can be difficult to do with a standard orbital sander. This is especially useful when it comes to sanding end grain. There is nothing better that can polish end grain than an edge sander. I often use my edge sander to clean up circles and the ends of metal dowels.
Second, edge sanders are generally more efficient and faster than sanding by hand. This can save a lot of time and effort, especially when working on large projects or when precision is important.
Top Three Picks
Edge Sander and Disc Sander: What’s the difference?
An edge sander is a powerful tool that has a flat base with a sanding belt that runs along the edge of the base and is held in place by two rollers. The material to be sanded is held against the sanding belt as it moves along the edge of the base. An edge sander is typically used for sanding edges, corners, and contoured surfaces.
A disc sander, on the other hand, is a power tool that uses a rotating disc of sandpaper to sand wood or other materials. The disc is mounted on a spindle and is driven by an electric motor.
The material to be sanded is held against the left side of the disc as it rotates. A disc sander is typically used for larger surfaces and for rounding corners to smooth the wood. It is also more powerful and efficient than an edge sander.
Below are the seven best edge and disc sanders:
Specs
Motor: 1 HP
Disc Size: 10”
Self-Standing
Weight: 98 pounds
$1409
Best Value
The JET J-4210K is a combination belt and disc sander that is designed for heavy-duty sanding tasks. It has a 6-inch x 48-inch belt sander and a 10-inch disc sander, which can be used separately or together to achieve a variety of sanding finishes.
The sander has a 1-horsepower motor and is designed for use with 115/230V power. It has a dust port to help keep the work area clean and a quick-release belt tension lever for easy belt changes. The JET J-4210K is a powerful and versatile sander that is suitable for professional woodworking and metalworking applications. I've worked with this brand of sander for the majority of my woodworking career, it's very dependable and reliable.
Pros:
Large surface area for sanding
Easy belt tracking can be adjusted to ensure that the belt runs true and does not drift
JET is well-known for making quality tools that are built to last
Made of heavy-duty cast iron and steel components
Adjustable belt table can tilt up to 90 degrees for horizontal sanding
Cons:
The sander is a bit more expensive than some other cheaper models on the market
The sander produces a lot of noise and vibration during use
Specs
Motor: 2 HP
Disc Size: 12”
Self-Standing
Weight: 247 pounds
$2199.99
Best Overall
The Powermatic 31A is the best combination belt and disc sander out there. It is designed for heavy-duty sanding tasks and will last over a lifetime. It has a 6-inch x 31-inch belt sander and a large 12-inch disc sander. The sander has a 2-horsepower motor so it packs a lot of power and is designed for use with 230/460V power. The sander also has a 4" port for quick dust removal.
This versatile high-quality sander is suitable for professional woodworking and metalworking applications. It is built with a cast iron base for stability and durability.
Pros:
With a 2HP motor, it has plenty of power to handle the toughest sanding jobs
12-inch disc provides a large sanding surface
Easy to adjust belt tension
The sander's precision ground cast iron tables allow for accurate and repeatable sanding results.
Oversized heavy-duty cast iron tables make sanding large items easier
Good quality dust port to connect it to a dust collector
Cons:
Pricey due to its high-quality components
Extremely heavy
Specs
Motor: 1.5HP
Disc Size: 12”
Self-Standing
Weight: 270 pounds
$2,179.00
Versatile and Tough
The JET JSG-6CS belt and disc sander is a 6-inch wide belt and a 12-inch diameter disc for sanding a variety of shapes and sizes of wood. Two things that distinguish this sander from the others is its unique placement of the switch in the middle. Personally, I love this feature because it separates the disc and edge sander apart so you don't feel as cramped while using the edge sanding. The other feature is the storage compartment under which is always convenient to store tools.
The efficient 1-1/2 horsepower motor, provides plenty of power for any sanding tasks. The belt and disc tables can be adjusted to various angles, making it easy to sand at the most comfortable and effective angle. Overall, the JET JSG-6CS is a well-built and powerful tool that is ideal for woodworkers of all skill levels.
Pros:
Large cast iron surface table
The 1-1/2 horsepower motor provides plenty of power to tackle heavy-duty sanding
The heavy-duty cast iron construction of the sander ensures that it will withstand heavy use and last forever
The dust collection ports help keep the work area clean and reduce cleanup time
The sander also has a conveniently placed and easily accessible stop switch and power indicator which provides peace of mind while in use.
Cons:
Price is higher than some other options
Specs
Motor: 1.5HP
Disc Size: 12”
Self-Standing
Weight: 243 pounds
$1899.99
Powerful motor
The JET JSG-6DCK is the same belt and disc sander as the last reviewed however it doesn't have the dust port and storage compartment. The price is much more affordable buying it this way. My personal opinion is if you can afford it get the storage base. It gives more weight to the machine, which reduces vibration. The storage base can be used to store tools, and will have a higher resale value if you decide to sell it down the line.
Pros:
More Affordable
Large cast iron surface tables
1-1/2 horsepower motor provides plenty of power to tackle heavy-duty sanding
The belt can be adjusted to any angle from 0-90 degrees, p
The heavy-duty cast iron construction of the sander ensures that it will withstand heavy use
Cons:
Dust seems to scatter a lot while using this sander
Makes a lot of noise
Specs
Motor: .75HP
Disc Size: 9”
Self-Standing
Weight: 243 pounds
$870
Great Price
The Grizzly Industrial G1014ZX is a combination belt and disc sander that is designed for use in a midsize workshop environment. It features a 6-inch wide belt sander and a 9-inch diameter disc sander, both of which can be used for a variety of sanding tasks.
The sander is mounted on a cabinet stand, which provides a stable and secure base for the machine. The G1014ZX has two dust ports for each sander. I don't love the location of the disc port because it's cumbersome when connected to a dust collector.
Pros:
Very affordable price
The machine is mounted on a cabinet stand, which can help to keep it stable during use and provide storage for accessories and other tools.
The belt sander is designed to be adjustable, which makes it easy to keep the belt running straight, which will help to achieve consistent results.
The unit comes with an emergency stop button, and a miter gauge, which can help to keep your fingers away from the belt while you're sanding.
Cons:
Can be quite loud
Smaller Disc Sander
While the machine does come with a dust collection ports, it may not be as effective as a dedicated dust collection system
Specs
Motor: 3/4HP
Disc Size: 9”
Self-Standing
Weight: 102.6 pounds
$804
Clean Workplace Guaranteed
This Grizzly disc sander combo machine also has the same specs as the prior machine reviewed. I threw it up here because it's a good option for a sander that doesn't break the bank. It features a 6-inch by 48-inch belt sander and a 9-inch disc sander, both of which are powered by a 1-1/2 horsepower motor. The belt sander has an adjustable belt speed and a tilting belt platen, while the disc sander has an adjustable table and a miter gauge for precise angle sanding. This sander is suitable for a wide range of sanding tasks, including shaping and smoothing wood, deburring edges, and sanding curves.
Pros:
Very affordable price
Easy belt tracking can be adjusted to keep the belt running smoothly, which helps to prolong the life of the belt and reduce waste.
The machine is equipped with dust collection ports to help keep the work area clean and reduce the amount of dust in the air.
The miter gauge can be adjusted to make accurate angle cuts, which is useful for sanding at different angles.
The machine is generally durable and well-built, with a metal iron base.
Cons:
Assembly might be difficult for some. The base needs to be bolted together.
Specs
Motor: 1 HP
Disc Size: 12”
Weight: 149 pounds
$1,274.00
Best of Grizzly Combo Sanders
I know what you're thinking "Is this the same dang sander as the last two?" No, it's not, it's a better-quality machine. It's ranked as #7 on this list because it's a bit more expensive, especially since it does not come with a base. However, the Grizzly G1276 is a great belt and disc sander machine. It has a belt sander with a 6-inch wide sanding belt and a 12-inch diameter disc sander. The belt sander can be tilted up to 90 degrees to allow for the sanding of beveled edges, and the disc sander can be used for fine sanding and finishing. The machine has a powerful 1-1/2 horsepower motor that runs at a speed of 1725 RPM, and it comes with a dust bag to help keep your workspace clean. It is a heavy-duty machine that is well-suited for a variety of sanding tasks.
Pros:
Removes material very quickly
The belt table can tilt 45 degrees
The 1 horsepower motor provides plenty of power for heavy-duty sanding
Heavy-duty cast iron base provides a stable and vibration-free platform
Built-in dust collection port allows for easy connection to a dust collector
The sander is easy to set up and use, with a simple belt-tracking adjustment and an easy-to-use belt tension lever.
Cons:
No Base
Specs
Motor: .75HP
Disc Size: 8”
Table Top
Weight: 39 pounds
$649
Budget-Friendly Price
The JET J-41002 is a versatile and reasonably powerful sanding machine that combines a 2-inch wide belt sander and an 8-inch disc sander. With this machine, you can handle a variety of sanding tasks, from removing rough spots to smoothing and polishing your workpieces. The belt sander is designed for fast stock removal, making it ideal for rough sanding, while the disc sander provides a finer finish. The belt sander has a belt speed of 3600 SFPM and the disc sander has a speed of 3450 RPM, giving you plenty of power to tackle tough materials. With its compact design, the JET J-41002 is easy to maneuver and store, making it a great choice for woodworkers, metalworkers, and DIY enthusiasts who need a reliable and efficient sanding machine.
Pros:
Versatile: With the combination of a belt sander and a disc sander, the JET J-41002 can handle a variety of sanding tasks.
Power: The belt sander has a belt speed of 3600 SFPM and the disc sander has a no-load speed of 3450 RPM, giving you enough power to tackle tough materials.
Durable
Adjustable: The belt tracking is adjustable, allowing you to ensure the belt stays on track and provides consistent results.
Brand name: JET is trusted and comes with a warranty
Cons:
Size: At 2 inches wide, the belt sander may not be suitable for large sanding projects.
Vibration: The machine may produce some vibration during use, which can be tiring for the user over time.
Price: The JET J-41002 is a little expensive compared to some other combo sanders
Specs
Motor: 1HP
Disc Size: 10”
Self-Standing
Weight: 94 pounds
$442
Great Value Deal
The RIKON Power Tools 6" x 48" Belt with 10" Disc Sander is a good option for a DIY and hobbyist woodworker. The belt sander has a 6" x 48" belt and the disc sander has a 10" diameter. This sander is suitable for woodworking, metalworking, and other applications. It has decent power and is a versatile tool that can handle a variety of sanding tasks.
Pros:
Price: It's a good machine that will get the job done and won't break the bank
The belt tracking can be adjusted to keep the belt running smoothly and to prevent it from drifting off center.
10" disc sander (not bad)
The sander comes with a dust collection port
Self Standing
Cons:
The sander is quite loud when in operation.
Changing the belts is more difficult
In conclusion, disc sanders are a must-have tool for anyone who needs to sand, shape, or smooth materials quickly and efficiently. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast, woodworker, or metalworker, a high-quality disc sander can help you achieve professional results in less time. With so many options available, it can be confusing picking the write one. Hopefully this article helps you select the right one for your shop.
Disclaimer: I only recommend products that I have used myself or have in my workshop. All opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.