Customer Reviews

Skil 7313 3" x 18" Belt Sander with Dust Collection

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

 

 

The unit will produce sawdust but the "Auto-trak" function is a hinderance and cannot be disabled. Once the Auto-trak gets out of kelter the unit throws belts as soon as pressure is applied. Spend twice as much and get a better unit.

I tried to sand against the wall and it wouldn't sand "vertical" to the wall. I needed to use a hand sander to get into the corners.

I have used this little belt sander for years. It removes more wood than a good random-orbital sander, but not much more. In a pinch I used it to create a bucket of sawdust for epoxy putty (the sander got quite hot). The auto-track feature works perfectly - I wish it worked as well on full-sized belt sanders. The belt release works very easily - better than the heavier-throw levers on full-sized belt sanders. I had to replace the on-off switch once, due to contact burn-out - it is a standard part. This sander is not powerful enough for such large jobs as floor edges or smoothing entire boards. It is not designed to be clamped capsized on a table, though that is the way I most frequently use it.

I have had this sander for several years and have used it for dozens of hours with no tracking problems after the initial setup phase. Dust collection system is a little weak - it tends to leave a pile of sawdust on the wood. The only problem I have had is the rubber cover on the drive wheel that drives the sanding belt can wander off to the side leaving you flakes and small chunks of black rubber which get throroughly embedded in your wood and are difficult to sand out. This is happening more often now that my sander has a few years on it (it happens about once every 10 minutes now). Skil doesn't sell any replacement parts. All repairs have to go through a service center and there are only 2 in the United States. So think of it as a "disposable" item, not repairable.

I bought this sander a couple of years ago while under tough budget restrictions and have regretted it ever since. The auto track feature never worked right, despite much adjusting. Turn on the power and the belt moves 1" to the right every time. Last week I tried to use it on a piece of furniture thatI'm building and left track lines across the top of the birch. Today I'm shopping for a replacement, this old machine will be permanently mounted on it's side and used as a benchtop edge sander.

This is one of the lowest-priced belt sanders out there. Now I know why. After purchasing one, I brought it home, did some stripping, and ended up returning it the next day. The sanding belt continuously moved about 1/2" towards the right after it was turned on. I would stop the sander, readjust it, and turn it on again. The belt would move. Oh, well. Defective product?

Other than that, it was not too bad to control, but very loud. It did a decent job in getting dark stain out on the project I am doing.

I traded it in for a Makita and am very, very pleased with my trade. I paid about $55 more for the Makita, but it is well worth the extra money.

I bought because it was cheap and has beem worth every penny. Bear in mind it is a light duty sander and is therefore less damaging to the work. I have probably 300 hours on it sanding red oak and it has worked perfectly-- no tracking problems. Since it is only an 18" belt, it is a little easier to control & may take a little longer to "get it off" Some places don't stock the 18" size. When this one dies I'll replace it with the same model

I bpught one of these sanders about 3 years ago when I was in a pinch. The belts have always tracked perfectly, I have never had to adjust it. It is also very powerful for it's size, does not dog out like I have seen some sanders do. All in all a great little value with excelent durability.

The "Auto-Track" feature doesn't last long, and after it wears out the belt won't track correctly. This unit isn't too bad for the price, I suppose, but I wouldn't buy another one.