Customer Reviews

DEWALT DW431 3-Inch x 21-Inch Heavy Duty Variable Speed Electronic Belt Sander

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This tool is way too under powered, if I push too hard i can stop it.The tool is very awkward feeling and seems is top-heavy, having a tendency to gouge the work.It is a good belt sander though for doing very light duty sanding, i wouldnt reccomened this sander for heavy stock removial, or re-finshing work.The bag in the front is nice but it screws up your whole grip, and it is very uncomfortable after long periods of use. If you do light work buy it if not by the porter cable or bosch.

This sander is lightweight and easy to use. Heavy-Duty is a misnomer. I have a neolithic belt sander from another manufacturer that is heavy duty. After it gouged a divot out of a book-matched glued up panel, I decided to try something else. I can control this sander with one hand across a panel. I can also hold it with one hand and take down edges and glue lines on small boxes. If you find this sander hard to control, consider buying the DW 4070 sanding frame. Belt sanding panels becomes an easy, fun experience. I really like this little sander.

The front-mounted bag is one of the best features of this machine. My previous sander had a typical rear bag that stuck out in the view of your work and would sometimes even fall off. Another great feature is the variable speed. A belt sander can remove material really quickly. This feature minimizes the tendency to accidently overdo it. You can't beat DeWalt products and their features.

I continue to be impressed with this machine. It's weight and powerful motor make it as deterimined to do the job as a small tank seems to be in climbing a hill. It's solidly built and rugged. It's well designed: the sanding belt is easy to change and adjust, the aux. handle is well placed. I like that the bag can be removed so that you can get really close to the work in tight quarters. The motor speed isn't the fastest, but then if it were, you wouldn't be able to control it as well.

I bought the DW431 for sanding cabinet stiles. I needed a light weight sander that could remove a lot of material fast and capture as much dust as possible. The Sander removed stained hardwood material at a good rate. It's front dust bag design allowed me to utilize it in somewhat tight areas, I used a random orbital for the real tight areas. It's dust collection was very good for doing vertical work (about 60%). The method for changing belts is very easy. the removal of the dust bag is very easy although empting the dust bag is hindered a little by the internal bar in the bag that keeps it from collapsing. It met my expectations in all aspects.

I have owned the DW431 for about 5 years. It has remained unchaged over those years. Overall it has ample power and works well. It is light and fairly easy to use with one hand (seems that most sanding jobs are done this way) I like it's compact size wich enables it to get into tighter spaces then most other belt sanders. I am dissapointed by it's dust collection system however. At first it didn't collect a thing. I removed the little black cover that exposed a small fan that is supposed to blow the dust into the bag and discovered that the bottom slot was never cut out. I removed the thin piece of plastic that was covering the intake port and replaced the cover. The collection system faired only slightly better. A bigger fan would help but I think the case should be reworked so that the dust is bagged in the back of the tool where the dust comes out. I bought the DW431 for it's compact size and got the bonus of dependabillity. I have many hours on the tool and appreciate how well it has held up. I will look for better dust collection on my next sander.

This is my favorite belt sander for shaping corners, edges and any work where you need a "light touch." I also own several 4x24 Porter Cables including the 503 - the locomotive of all belt sanders. The big sanders are great for flattening panels, but not much fun when you are using the sander to round corners or light work in some other position than horizontal. This DeWalt is easy to hold. It is balanced well. The bag does as good a job as any bag does in collecting some of the dust - and the bag does not obscure your view when you are using the sander for what it does best. A quality-built, reliable tool that has served me well for more than three years. I think it is a great value.

I purchased this belt sander about 5 months ago and found that it lives up to the product claims and design with one basic flaw, the dust bag. As you can imagine, a belt sander removes material aggressively and wood dust is the obvious byproduct.

It didn't take me long to realize that none of the dust was being directed into the bag and perhaps this is due to a design flaw if in fact the designers gave this feature any thought. On the good side, you never have to empty the dust bag because it has no function since all dust is left on the work piece or shot into the air for potential breathing.

If dust collection is a concern of yours, perhaps a different model or manufacturer would better suit your need.

Bought the sander and used it for a couple of days for some moderate to light sanding on a bookcase I was building. Belt tracking was excellent, the dust collector was not very effective and it lifted off from the sander frame at times as I lifted the sander off the work piece.

Day 3, disaster struck. After sanding for about 15 minutes, I put the sander down. Upon returning 30 minutes later, the motor completely siezed up, much to my surprise. Returned it to the store and bought a Bosch instead.

I have had nothing but problems. While still under warranty, the switch went out. A month later it would not run. I took it in to repair and the cost was over $100.00. Now the frame that holds the front roller is broken. Repair cost nearly another $100.00. When working, it is a good sander. I am a home hoppy person and do not use my tools rough or on a daily basis. Did I get a lemon?