Black & Decker DS321 Dragster 7 Amp 3-Inch by 21-Inch Belt Sander with Cloth Dust Bag

by Black & Decker

Product Description

Amazon.com

Go ahead and say it: It looks like a race car. That's what we said, too, and were ready to dismiss it as a gimmick. But then we tried it, and we stopped smirking. The smaller front roller changes everything you know about using a belt sander, making the belt's route more of a triangle than an oval. And because of that, you can get the grit to spaces you couldn't with a standard belt sander—for example, you can actually scoot right up to the baseboard when sanding a floor. There's more contact area with this design, and while that may be a moot point, we think it's still worth mentioning. We really like the three-position handle; it adjusts easily and lets you have the grip you need to be in control of an aggressive tool like this one. The dust collector works as well as any on a belt sander (meaning you're still going to have a mess to clean up). Belt changes are pretty straightforward and easy, thanks to the simple belt release lever. Because it's not a high-end tool, don't expect impeccable belt tracking here; still, the adjustment knob does a good job of tracking. This is one of those why-didn't-someone-think-of-this-sooner tools. Such a simple design change offers so much more utility in a well-priced staple of the workshop.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste

Amazon.com Product Description

Featuring an innovative front roller that allows you to reach even the tightest corners with ease and cuts down on the need for flush sanding, this 6.0 Amp sander from Black & Decker is ideal for home improvement enthusiasts. Compact and lightweight, the Dragster DS321 boasts a retractable, three-position handle for optimum control and a dust collector to keep your work area clean for improved visibility. When it's time to change the paper, simply utilize the belt release lever and adjustment knob (which ensures the belt remains in the correct position) and you're ready to get back to work.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 15.4 x 6.2 x 6.1 inches ; 6.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002ZU73I
• Item model number: DS321
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,635 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #31 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tools > Sanders > Belt Sanders

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great features, but frustrating to use, July 28, 2005

By 

Mark (Carlsbad CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black & Decker DS321 Dragster 7 Amp 3-Inch by 21-Inch Belt Sander with Cloth Dust Bag (Tools & Home Improvement)

Love the low profile design which is specifically what I was looking for in a sander, so I was willing to purchase the sander just for this feature (already own a good belt sander that has a standard profile). However ... the belt wanders ALL OVER THE PLACE. Very difficult to keep it on track. I spend more time futzing with the belt tracking adjustment than I do sanding.

Also noticed that it takes longer to get the same results with this sander that I get when using my normal belt sander. Takes longer with the Dragster to get the same results using 80 grit, for instance, as I get with my old belt sander. So allow more time for sanding, even w/o factoring in the additional time needed to futz with the belt tracking.

Someone else mentioned squeaky bearings. Have that problem, too. High-pitched squeak can be very annoying.

Plastic casing isn't very durable. Within the first few minutes of use, the orange casing on the front end shredded due to belt tracking being off (belt slipped to the inside and I didn't stop the sander immediately because to see if the belt would adjust itself).

Great looking sander. Great idea. Love the concept. Frustrated with belt tracking. I don't have the patience to continually adjust it. So only use the sander when I really, really need to use the low profile aspect. Definitely not a sander to purchase if you only want to buy one belt sander.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars BD DS321 - Belt Tracking is Poor, October 27, 2006

By 

Bob Barnes "Barnes Technical Services" (albuquerque) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black & Decker DS321 Dragster 7 Amp 3-Inch by 21-Inch Belt Sander with Cloth Dust Bag (Tools & Home Improvement)

Everything works well, except the belt tracking. I spend most of my sanding time trying to center the belt. I am afraid the unit will soon end up in the trash can.

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't Waste Your Time, November 27, 2006

By 

J. Campbell (Warner Robins GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black & Decker DS321 Dragster 7 Amp 3-Inch by 21-Inch Belt Sander with Cloth Dust Bag (Tools & Home Improvement)

This sander is a complete waste of time. If you need to do some serious sanding, that's when you need a belt sander. This one is not even close. The sanding belt doesn't track. It runs hot after a few minutes. And finally, after about 15 minutes of trying to remove paint from plywood, the rear tire tore off! If you need something to do light work, you don't need a belt sander, but you certainly don't need this sander anytime. It won't handle balsa wood. Spend the money. If you don't have the money, buy a good random orbit sander which is less than this junk. I ended up buying the Ridgid belt sander and it was expensive but worked great (nice machine). Lastly, be careful, Craftsman offers the same sander as this B&D but it's a different color and $10 more! Don't even consider this sander.