Recommendation for a Power file/Band file

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

I've pretty much decided that Herself is getting me the B&D .

I love mine...you won't be disappointed.

I've been through a couple of them but they've given me fair service so I've always replaced with like for like....except the one time I decided to "upgrade" to an evolution...bad idea....I just couldn't get on with it!

They used to be £28 just a couple years ago!

 

[OJCar]

An orange box marked Black & Decker has arrived ...

 

[Mark 2]

An orange box marked Black & Decker has arrived ...

Leave it under the tree, you know the rules.

 

[daleyd]

Leave it under the tree, you know the rules.

Nah it’s early enough you can get something else to go under the tree

 

[daleyd]

Makita one is excellent

We had a Makita corded one for modifying some old electrical panels on an offshore job I did a few years ago. It was in a different league in terms of build quality compared to my B and D one (which isn’t particularly bad, but the Makita one was solid in comaprison!)

 

[Stuartg1]

I've had b & d, 2 evolutions, they all did well but I've now got a Makita cordless.....
Smaller nose, narrow belt, fits in places the other 2 didn't. Very powerful, extremely smooth...it's not cheap but well worth the extra money

 

[SierraV6]

I've had b & d, 2 evolutions, they all did well but I've now got a Makita cordless.....
Smaller nose, narrow belt, fits in places the other 2 didn't. Very powerful, extremely smooth...it's not cheap but well worth the extra money

I probably don’t use mine often enough to justify the cost, but it really is excellent as you say.

 

[tom 748]

makita cheap ones dont last

 

[MattF]

Makita. Cheap ones dont last.

Corrected that so that it's clearer in meaning. I assume that's what you meant?

 

[sasquar]

essentially, i agree with what others are saying, the black and decker powerfiles are reasonably good, i have a few of them scattered about. We were using the one at my old amns quite a lot during the oxford metal work, and killed a few of the arms (cheap enough off ebay) and, in the end decided to splurge on the makita corded version, and associated variable width arms. Its night and day difference compared with the B&D.

Is the makita worth the extra? (its about £200ish compared with £50 iirc) only you can decide that, depends entirely on what youre doing with it. For the use I give it, the makita is 100% worthwhile.

 

[Nomad]

Bumping this as I'm looking for something that will fit into a space with limited access, ideally a belt 1/2" with a long narrow "finger".

This takes a 1/2" x 18" belt, does anyone know where I can get something similar at a sensible price? It's for 1 main job so I'm not wanting to spend a lot on branded names.



The one above looks promising but the Amazon.UK costs is more than double than on Amazon-Europe

https://www.amazon.co.uk/6307-Variable-Speed-Detailing-Sander/dp/B072Q2FTLY/

Any suggestions?

 

[fizzy]

Bumping this as I'm looking for something that will fit into a space with limited access, ideally a belt 1/2" with a long narrow "finger".

This takes a 1/2" x 18" belt, does anyone know where I can get something similar at a sensible price? It's for 1 main job so I'm not wanting to spend a lot on branded names.

View attachment 453999

The one above looks promising but the Amazon.UK costs is more than double than on Amazon-Europe

https://www.amazon.co.uk/6307-Variable-Speed-Detailing-Sander/dp/B072Q2FTLY/

Any suggestions?

My B+D powerfile is awesome but bigger than that.
There are several compressed air ones that are quite compact as well.

10mm Wide Air Finger Belt Sander Power File Detail Sanding Paint Rust Removal | DIY at B&Q

Professional tool for commercial or occasional use Suitable for all sanding jobs including wood working / furniture polishing / plastic / aluminium and all forms of metal polishing Especially suitable for those hard to reach awkward areas. Lightweight and low vibration Compact design...

www.diy.com

or https://www.amazon.co.uk/Finger-Sander-Belts-Detail-Bergen/dp/B075FBTXYB

search for 10mm sander or similar.

 

[Agroshield]

Bumping this as I'm looking for something that will fit into a space with limited access, ideally a belt 1/2" with a long narrow "finger".

One of these is a good starting point:

Electric Belt Grinder Belt Sander Angle Grinder Polishing Woodworking DIY Tool | eBay

1 Set Angle Grinder Accessories. Widely used for grinding solder joint, stainless steel handrail, wood gap,scissors, blade cutting edge, etc. Suitable for M10, 100 angle grinders. Defective or Wrong Products.

www.ebay.co.uk

It is a 20mm belt and the nose overall is a bit more than that.

For longer reach, you can replace the arm with a longer piece (it is just 16mm square aluminium bar). You would have to size the extension to a common belt length.

For narrower, you could source some smaller square tube, a smaller piece of aluminium, a smaller diameter spring and use a single bearing at the front.

Effectively, you buy the bit that clamps onto the grinder and the pulley that screws onto the grinder, throw most of the rest away and modify it to suit.

Edit:

Zoro have 13mm spare arms for the DeWalt Powerfile quite cheap:

https://www.zoro.co.uk/shop/tools-and-machining/power-tool-accessories/13mm-powerfile-sander-arm-and-pad/p/ZT1021514P

Also, I think some people here have the Milsuckee cut off tools, so this might be of interest:

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1311175506/milwaukee-m12-cut-off-saw-to-10mm

 

[Nomad]

Hi. The B&D powerfile has a chunky body which won't work for me, the air powered ones are a possibility but again not sure if I have clearance to get the body close enough @fizzy

I'd seen the angle grinder attachments - I like the idea but have been warned that using them on a grinder with no speed control is risky and very all or nothing (none of my grinders have speed control). Still an option and the price appeals! @Agroshield
My Milwaukee kit doesn't include a cutoff saw, the adapter is a nice idea but out of budget when the saw is added to the order.
Handy to know about Zorro.

A couple more that could work at the right price, both have fairly slim bodies inline with the belt :

Sealy - 12x456 belt https://ffx.co.uk/products/sealey-sealey-sbs260-260w-12x456mm-variable-speed-belt-sander-127121

Silverline - 13mm belt https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverstorm-247820-260W-13mm-Power/dp/B00J8UITSS/

Thanks for the ideas, I'm still looking at options

 

[Mark 2]

Hi. The B&D powerfile has a chunky body which won't work for me, the air powered ones are a possibility but again not sure if I have clearance to get the body close enough @fizzy

If you can't get an air version in then perhaps a rotary tool is in order.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Anything that the B&D doesn't fit I generally just use a DeWalt 18v due grinder.

I wouldn't strap anything to a mains grinder but each to their own.

 

[Stuartg1]

I paid the money for the Makita 18v beast...

Hands down better than b + D or the evolution equivalent... It gets used almost as much as the multi tool... It's that versatile

 

[daleyd]

I paid the money for the Makita 18v beast...

Hands down better than b + D or the evolution equivalent... It gets used almost as much as the multi tool... It's that versatile

I used one of the Makita ones modifying some old electrical panels on an oil platform - your 100% right, it’s a proper heavy duty monster, the b and d one is very plasticky in comparison (does a decent job but night and day in build quality)

 

[Stuartg1]

I used one of the Makita ones modifying some old electrical panels on an oil platform - your 100% right, it’s a proper heavy duty monster, the b and d one is very plasticky in comparison (does a decent job but night and day in build quality)

Build quality and ability to remove material... Smaller narrow belt on the Makita clears more material than the b +D with the same belts... It's lots easier to use too

 

[daleyd]

Build quality and ability to remove material... Smaller narrow belt on the Makita clears more material than the b +D with the same belts... It's lots easier to use too

Yes, power is also different league! It made mincemeat of some old thick 1980’s electrical panel that needed to go. I’d love one for home use but b and d price was too attractive