Customer Reviews

Factory-Reconditioned RIDGID ZRR2720 3-by-21-Inch Heavy-Duty Belt Sander

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The new in-line 3x21 belt sander by Ridgid appears to be a solid investment at a substantial savings over other heavy-duty belt sanders. It is attractive, well-designed, solidly constructed, well-balanced, has good ergonomics, is easily controlled, and is surprisingly quiet. The first time you pause during the sanding job and let it hang down at your side, you'll appreciate it's shape and heft, which is somehow reminiscent of an old-fashioned shootin' iron. All in all, it's a pleasure to use.
Perhaps most importantly, it is good to very good at speed of stock removal. Further, the variable speed control comes in handy and is well-placed. Belt tracking is adequate, if not stellar, the large adjusting knob requiring a few seconds of attention for a new belt to track roughly where it should. Dust collection is decent to above average so long as you make sure the exhaust port remains clear and unclogged and the unobtrusive bag doesn't get too full. In this regard, keeping an air hose handy for cleaning off the sander and cleaning out the bag both during and after use helps immensely and is a good maintenance practice. In fact, this tool is such a beauty that I'm also using a moist rag to wipe it down before putting it away. It doesn't come in a case (a real oversight by Ridgid) and will require one at least 20 inches long.
Potential buyers should understand that this review is not based on longterm ownership or heavy-duty use, but on several days of moderate, responsible use. I'm offering the review early primarily because there are no other reviews of the product that I can find, so in my case, the purchase had to be based solely on availability, price, experience and instinct. In my opinion, it seems like a good tool that ought to last a long time. As for the Ridgid product line, in general, I also own one of their reciprocating saws and have been happy with it's performance, so far.

I first bought a dewalt and returned it. This Ridgid is what a sander should be.

Have 50 decks to sand and finish. Seemed too much for my inexpensive light Skil belt sander. I did a couple decks w/the Skil and decided a heavier duty sander was in order. I settled on the Rigid because I have their palm sander and worm-drive saw and am satisfied w/those products. The contrast was marked. The Rigid sander cut right into the work w/very little effort from me. I had to slow it down. The lock on trigger is helpful as well. I can't speak for how it compares to other heavy-duty belt sanders but I am very satisfied with it.

This is my first Rigid tool purchase. I have owned 2 different DeWalt 3 x 21 sanders in the past 10 years or so. They were very well made with good balance - had to set platen adjustment in/out for each belt change. I looked at the new DeWalt 3 x 21 sander & don't care for the weight or balance of it.

This Rigid belt sander soft-start takes a little getting used to, but the tool works great. Nice balance with a long power cord & dust collection bag works much better than the DeWalt sanders that I have used in the past.

Product is a recon but outside of a few marks/nicks on the forward handle it looks as new. Love the power and features..The adjustable forward grip is very comfy and the soft start eliminates the bucking.
Power is exceptional even when working with oak and ash.

When I first got it set up, I gave it a quick click to ensure everything moved freely. Nothing. Click, click, click.....nothing. My heart sank. After I wasted half an hour going through the (very basic) manual, I happened to disgustedly squeeze the trigger and hold it. Vroooom! Remember the soft start this unit has, folks! It takes a second or so to get going. This isn't mentioned in the "How to Use your Sander," and I had forgotten what I had read on the web site.

This is a great sander. It is perhaps a little heavy for a 3x21, which is a good thing for durability, but I would have a hard time sanding any thing vertical for hours with my crippled hands. I used it for sanding down some travertine (stone) countertops, and with ceramic belts it just ate that rock for lunch effortlessly, the weight of the sander applying just the right amount of pressure; all I had to do was steer it around. At times, the belts slipped some on the rollers and chattered a little, but then, sanding stone is a lot to ask from any sander.

I find the trigger lock too deeply recessed inside a surrounding guard to easily apply with my hands the way they are; I imagine those with large hands would have the same trouble. I suspect the guard will fall victim to my Dremel one of these days. Belt changes are a snap; Adjusting speed on the fly is easily done; the dust collection bag is large, but is out of the way, and a 1-1/4" vacuum hose fits where the bag would go if you are working at one spot for awhile; that REALLY keeps the dust down! It sits nicely on its top for small piece work.

A good, solid sander. I was a contractor for years and used/abused a healthy variety of them; this is a good one for a 3". (Beth's husband)

This belt sander turns on really slowly, and feels a little bulky when using.The switch seems bad right out of the box. I wish I had sent it back the second it arrived. I don't consider it heavy duty at all. If you put a little too much pressure down on it it will bog down. I should have been smart and paid the extra $50 or so dollars and gone with makita or bosch.Don't waste yor money or time on this garbage.

Handy magazine rated Bosch 1274DVS, Craftsman 11727, DeWalt DW433, Hitachi SB8V2,Makita 9903, Porter-Cable 352VS, Ridgid Rs720VS. Ridgid R2720VS was rated as the best value.