Recommendation for a Power file/Band file

[MattF]

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)

Are we talking of this one?

Makita DBS180Z 18v LXT 9mm Cordless Belt Sander Body Only

Makita DBS180Z 18v LXT 9mm Cordless Belt Sander Body Only The Makita DBS180Z 18v LXT Cordless Belt Sander is a 9mm / 3/8" belt sander powered by 18v LXT Li-Ion batteries. With a powerful brushless motor, electric brake and variable speed control, this extremely handy cordless belt sander is...

www.powertoolworld.co.uk

 

[daleyd]

Are we talking of this one?

Makita DBS180Z 18v LXT 9mm Cordless Belt Sander Body Only

Makita DBS180Z 18v LXT 9mm Cordless Belt Sander Body Only The Makita DBS180Z 18v LXT Cordless Belt Sander is a 9mm / 3/8" belt sander powered by 18v LXT Li-Ion batteries. With a powerful brushless motor, electric brake and variable speed control, this extremely handy cordless belt sander is...

www.powertoolworld.co.uk

The one I used was similar mechanically but 110v. Very good bit of kit!

 

[Blobber]

I got one of these Silverline sanders, cheap if you shop around, not masses of grunt but its a disposable tool for the price

SILVERLINE BELT SANDER FINGER FILE 260W 13MM SANDING TOOL HEAVY DUTY 247820 5024763121913 | eBay

MPN 247820. 260w Powerful Motor. Type Belt Sander. Model sander. Includes Free Sanding Belt. Ideal for descaling, sanding and polishing of welds, deburring, shaping mortices and joints, and other specialist tasks.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Agroshield]

Are we talking of this one?

There are mains-powered Fakita clones of the Makita 9032 genuine article on eBay for about £100 from China (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/296423165849).

They are also doing a clone of the 9031 (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255529480770).

 

[Stuartg1]

Are we talking of this one?

Makita DBS180Z 18v LXT 9mm Cordless Belt Sander Body Only

Makita DBS180Z 18v LXT 9mm Cordless Belt Sander Body Only The Makita DBS180Z 18v LXT Cordless Belt Sander is a 9mm / 3/8" belt sander powered by 18v LXT Li-Ion batteries. With a powerful brushless motor, electric brake and variable speed control, this extremely handy cordless belt sander is...

www.powertoolworld.co.uk

Yes... Brilliant piece of kit

 

[Nomad]

The Makita 18V kit I have gets a lot of use, the grinder above looks good but is just too spendy for the use it would get

This is for a one off job (a pet project that's scrap unless I can find a tool to do what I want), also maybe for grinding welds on my car projects but my angle grinders already do 99% of that with no problems.

 

[Stuartg1]

The Makita 18V kit I have gets a lot of use, the grinder above looks good but is just too spendy for the use it would get

This is for a one off job (a pet project that's scrap unless I can find a tool to do what I want), also maybe for grinding welds on my car projects but my angle grinders already do 99% of that with no problems.

I bought it for car use... I used it most days... . I'm a plumber... It's surprising what it can do

 

[atomant48]

Resurrecting this as I’m after a power / finger file. I see Milwaukee have a 10mm and 13mm belt option - any comments on one over the other ? Limiting it to this brand as I’ve a few battery tools now and want to minimise the battery bits.

 

[Craig-SM]

Resurrecting this as I’m after a power / finger file. I see Milwaukee have a 10mm and 13mm belt option - any comments on one over the other ? Limiting it to this brand as I’ve a few battery tools now and want to minimise the battery bits.

I have the 13mm Milwaukee power file and it’s great to use. I was using the B&D corded prior to buying it and it is much smoother using quality belts and running at slow speeds for maximum control it still has plenty of power.
The belts do make a big difference and recommend bonded ceramic belts for smooth running. I’ve used both Milwaukee and 3M both been very smooth running and long lasting. Belt change is easy too just compress the front to lock in it’s retracted position, swap belt and release. I had some Norton belts, bought cheap on eBay, left over and they weren’t anywhere near as smooth but suspect they may have been fake.

I run mine on 5ah high output batteries but did briefly try it with 6ah and it still worked very well

 

[atomant48]

I have the 13mm Milwaukee power file and it’s great to use. I was using the B&D corded prior to buying it and it is much smoother using quality belts and running at slow speeds for maximum control it still has plenty of power.
The belts do make a big difference and recommend bonded ceramic belts for smooth running. I’ve used both Milwaukee and 3M both been very smooth running and long lasting. Belt change is easy too just compress the front to lock in it’s retracted position, swap belt and release. I had some Norton belts, bought cheap on eBay, left over and they weren’t anywhere near as smooth but suspect they may have been fake.

I run mine on 5ah high output batteries but did briefly try it with 6ah and it still worked very well

Appreciate the info thanks. Hadn’t considered the battery - might look at one with the bigger batteries.

 

[Craig-SM]

The high output batteries do give a bit more oomph but also more expensive. The 4 and 6ah batteries have come down in price though.

 

[fizzy]

I have the 13mm Milwaukee power file and it’s great to use. I was using the B&D corded prior to buying it and it is much smoother using quality belts and running at slow speeds for maximum control it still has plenty of power.
The belts do make a big difference and recommend bonded ceramic belts for smooth running. I’ve used both Milwaukee and 3M both been very smooth running and long lasting. Belt change is easy too just compress the front to lock in it’s retracted position, swap belt and release. I had some Norton belts, bought cheap on eBay, left over and they weren’t anywhere near as smooth but suspect they may have been fake.

I run mine on 5ah high output batteries but did briefly try it with 6ah and it still worked very well

There is one big seller of so called Norton belts on Ebay that have really rubbish belts. They have loads of good feedback on their other products so the bad feedback on the belts gets lost. The good blue belts most sellers have are excellent.
I love my B+D powerful. Feels like rubbish quality but does an amazing job and I use mine all the time. Great value.

 

[Craig-SM]

The B&D is good but finding myself constantly laid on the cable or not being able to get the angle right with it being fixed position I bought the Milwaukee after going too close to the dealers on a dog walk. Using it straightaway preparing and cleaning welds on the old Shogun it was a joy to use. Control, adjustable angles and reverse belt direction puts it in a different league to the B&D but then so does the price in comparison.
If it was to use at a bench in the workshop I’d recommend the B&D over Milwaukee but if you need the cordless (or horseless) freedom then it’s a no brainer.

The 3M ceramic belts are the best I’ve used in terms of material removal and long life but they’re expensive too. The Milwaukee belts are nearly as good but much cheaper too but not Norton value.

 

[fizzy]

I have run out of decent belts. Need to go through my Ebay history and find the really good ones I purchased. Will have to post a link.

 

[atomant48]

I have run out of decent belts. Need to go through my Ebay history and find the really good ones I purchased. Will have to post a link.

Please do.