Makita 9903 8.8 Amp 3-Inch-by-21-Inch Variable Speed Belt Sander with Cloth Dust Bag

by Makita

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Makita's 3 x 21-Inch Belt Sander, model 9903, combines power and speed with ease-of-use features and less noise for fast and efficient stock removal. The 9903 is ideal for woodworkers, carpenters, furniture makers, floor installers, deck builders and general contractors who require a best-in-class belt sander.

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9903 Features EFFICIENCY - Powerful 8.8 AMP motor turns 3" wide belt (690-1,440 ft./min.) for fast material removal ACCURACY - Auto-tracking belt system tracks belt without adjustment CONVENIENCE - Large front grip and low noise level (85dB) for operator comfort PERFORMANCE - Innovative design for sanding flush to wall with nose and side of sander INCLUDES - Abrasive belt and dust bag

Tool Specifications Belt size 3" x 21" Belt speed 690 - 1,440 ft./min. AMPS (120V) 8.8 Overall length 11-5/8" Net weight 9.5 lbs.

The 9903 features a powerful 8.8 AMP motor with electronic speed control to maintain constant speed under load. The variable speed control dial allows the user to match the speed (690-1,440 ft./min.) to the application. The 9903 also features less noise: at only 84dB, it is one of the quietest sanders in its class.

Ease-of-use features include an auto-tracking belt system that tracks the belt without adjustment, and a front grip for comfortable operation. The low profile design provides better balance, and the extended base allows sanding flush to wall with nose and side of sander. The 9903 is easily maneuvered with the long 16.4-foot power cord, and the highly efficient dust collector reduces dust in the work area. An optional sanding shoe is available for precise sanding depth control.

The Makita 9903 is engineered for cabinetry and woodworking, and is ideal for wood panels, furniture, closets, and more. The 9903 is just another example of Makita's commitment to innovative technology and best-in-class engineering.

About Makita's Power Tools
Makita delivers precision, accuracy, capacity, and innovation to woodworkers. Makita has full range of miter saws, jig saws, circular saws, routers, planers, sanders, nailers and staplers, blades, compact cordless drills and impacts, and more. Makita's woodworking solutions are engineered for pro contractors, for use in high production settings and in home shops.

About Makita
Makita is a worldwide manufacturer of industrial quality power tools and offers a wide range of industrial accessories. Makita applies leading-edge innovation to engineer power tools that are more compact and energy efficient, yet deliver industrial strength power and results. Makita U.S.A., Inc. is located in La Mirada, California, and operates an extensive distribution network located throughout the U.S. For more information, please call 800/4-MAKITA (800/462-5482) or visit makitatools.com. Makita is Best in Class Engineering.

Warranty
Every Makita tool is thoroughly inspected and tested before leaving the factory. If you are not satisfied with any Makita tool within 30 days of purchase, return it and Makita will provide a replacement or refund. Each Makita tool is warranted to be free of defects from workmanship and materials for the period of ONE YEAR from the date of original purchase. Should any trouble develop during this one-year period, return the COMPLETE tool, freight prepaid, to one of Makita's Factory or Authorized Service Centers. Please see makitatools.com for complete details.

What's in the Box
Makita 9903 3 x 21-Inch Belt Sander, abrasive belt and dust bag.

Product Description

3" x 21", Variable Speed Belt Sander With Electronic Speed Control, Power 8.8A Motor, Auto Tracking Belt System, Front Grip Design For Comfortable Operation, Dust Bag For A Cleaner Work Environment, Sander Includes Abrasive Belt & Dust Bag.

Product Details

Product Manual [567kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 5.6 x 6.2 inches ; 9.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B000056NOC
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 9903
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,938 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #1 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tools > Sanders > Belt Sanders

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Tracking, November 29, 2004

By 

D. Lemke "DIY Guy" (MI, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Makita 9903 8.8 Amp 3-Inch-by-21-Inch Variable Speed Belt Sander with Cloth Dust Bag (Tools & Home Improvement)

I have replace a 20 year old Craftsman belt sander with the 9903 Makita. I always fought with the Craftsman's tracking. I could only go 5 minutes before I needed to adjust the tracking. The Makita is not like this at all. It has perfect tracking! I pulled the 9903 out of the box and it tracked OK with the stock belt. But when I put a 3M belt on it and tweeked the tracking a bit I have not touched the tracking, even when I changed the belt to a different grit.

I highly recomment this belt sander and 3M (purple) sanding belts. You can turn 9903 over and clamp it to the bench, great feature. It has a very nice trigger lock button, easy to set when you want to set it - but not so easy to lock when you don't want it locked (with either hand). An added benefit is that this belt sander is that it is very quiet (as belt sanders go).

My only complaint is with the availability of accessories. I can't find a sanding frame or a vacuum attachment. When I went to an authorized dealer for Makita and asked for a quote on a sanding frame they quoted the housing of the 9903.

Buy this one, you won't be disapointed.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Sander, March 25, 2006

By 

Mr. Data (Hanover, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Makita 9903 8.8 Amp 3-Inch-by-21-Inch Variable Speed Belt Sander with Cloth Dust Bag (Tools & Home Improvement)

A pleasure to use. Relatively quiet. Belt tracks flawlessly. Adequate power. Can clamp upside down in a wood worker's bench vice to use as a stationary sander. Dust collector works well and is usually not in the way. Wish it came with it's own case. All in all I am very happy with the purchase.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Power and reliable tracking, February 22, 2008

By 

Longtooth "One Citizen" (Morgan Hill, Ca. USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Makita 9903 8.8 Amp 3-Inch-by-21-Inch Variable Speed Belt Sander with Cloth Dust Bag (Tools & Home Improvement)

I bought the 21" Makita 9903 Belt Sander after my old Skil 18" sander's on/off switch stopped working for the umpteenth time, and my other el-cheapo 21" belt sander was stolen (thank goodness for small favors).

I've used the sander now for a month to sand down 2x6 and 4x4 rough sawn surfaces on redwood and doug fir I've used for finishing a deck (railings, fascia, stair trim). Absolutely perfect tracking all the time, no matter how hot the belt gets, no matter how much pressure I apply, no matter how long I've used the belt. I start with a 50 or 80 grit, then shift directly to a 120 grit belt for final finishing. I've sanded approx. 20 4x6 16 ft boards, both sides and edges, plus another 10 4x4 8ft posts... all 4 sides, among other things this far.

Power galore and perfect belt tracking, simple adjustment to bring belt to edge if needed (and it stays there)... what more could a belt sander need to do? Changing belts is just as simple as with any other belt sander I've used over the years --- pull back on the clamping lever (it says open), slip belt on, close clamping lever... and let 'er rip.

I also very much like the flat 'top' which allows you to turn the sander over and sit it on it's 'top' to use the belt surface as the stationary member while holding the work piece by hand to shape edges, corners, etc. with much greater precision of cut (hand held piece, as opposed to holding the sander).

I also own a Makita sawzall (or whatever they're called) and have owned and used it extensively for several years (purchased in 1992? or '95? or somewhere in that time-frame). It's been extremely reliable, never any problem in the most demanding work I have thrown at it... so I decided to buy the Makita belt sander as well for the hoped for reliability and trouble-free use. Normally I opt for Dewalt power tools... still own and use my Dewalt Professional Radial Arm Saw that I bought in '75... never had a problem with it and I have used it extensively and in heavy work-loads over the years.... it's still as stong, steady, & precise as it was in '75. But, in the belt sander catagory, I didn't like the Dewalt design as much as the Makita (turning the sander over and using it as a stationary sander while holding the work piece by hand is a great feature).

I've used other 21" sanders borrowed from contractors from time to time, and though power was alway's great, the tracking deteriorated greatly with with the belt's use or the temperature/pressure I applied.

I couldn't be more satisfied.