Hey guys I am going to the Hardware store tomorrow and may be getting a better sander, now I use a desk sander and sand paper which works fine but I may want to improve! I was wondering if you guys could post pictures of your sanders or any recommendations so I pick out a good type!

i have a ryobi belt sander. its awsome and you can flip it over and the trigger locks so if you want to flip it to sand things you dont have to mess with the trigger

Do belt sanders work well for decks?

yeah just flip it over
get the ryobi its only 50 bucks and works awsome

Could you post a picture
???

This is what I use. Kind of a two in one.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_9607-46922-3375-01_4294797458_4294937087_?productId=1210125&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1¤tURL=%2Fpl_Sanders_4294797458_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=

Belt sanders are pretty awesome, especially for beginner deck makers (not saying you are)
I used this one for a long time
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-inch-x-30-inch-belt-sander-2485.html

The reason I liked it was it had a small surface area, so you could take your time.

I basically use what these guys use. Just set up a little different. I think mine was 300 or something. The more expensive, the better.

^Honestly thats not always true

Skill plays a big part

RyanMarshment wrote:

Skill plays a big part

I won't lie it's honestly a mixture between the two. A good tool is useless without a skilled craftsman and a skilled craftsman will be hard pressed to make quality products without quality tools...

I dont have quality tools and I made some pretty gewd stuff.

MaxL wrote:

RyanMarshment wrote:

Skill plays a big part

I won't lie it's honestly a mixture between the two. A good tool is useless without a skilled craftsman and a skilled craftsman will be hard pressed to make quality products without quality tools...

Thus. The truth! Again.

http://alatest.co.uk/reviews/power-tool-reviews/einhell-doppelschleifer-bt-bg-150/po3-63862103,351/

I bought this yesterday! Seems pretty okay for now and it wasnt too expensive, it definetly gets the job done with a more smooth one and a more rough one, it may not be completely for wood but I found that it works, After a while of using this I guess I will get a belt sander... They were out of stock!

ELBOW GREASE IS FOR REAL MEAN!

Oah.. ye. A grinder... that'll burn your decks after a while and the glue will get stuck in the stone.

Oh wow, I didn't notice what he bought... he bought a metal grinder

Basically.

Ye I noticed that now, urgh waste of 50 bucks,,,atleast I can sharpen screwdrivers and knives and stuff now.

Anybody got anymetal they need sharpened??

CasparH wrote:

Ye I noticed that now, urgh waste of 50 bucks,,,atleast I can sharpen screwdrivers and knives and stuff now.

Anybody got anymetal they need sharpened??

couldn't you just take it back?

Billy Mackean wrote:

CasparH wrote:

Ye I noticed that now, urgh waste of 50 bucks,,,atleast I can sharpen screwdrivers and knives and stuff now.

Anybody got anymetal they need sharpened??

couldn't you just take it back?

But it is used... I have got a warranty for 2 years...

CasparH wrote:

Billy Mackean wrote:

CasparH wrote:

Ye I noticed that now, urgh waste of 50 bucks,,,atleast I can sharpen screwdrivers and knives and stuff now.

Anybody got anymetal they need sharpened??

couldn't you just take it back?

But it is used... I have got a warranty for 2 years...

break it then and get your money back on the warranty, or sell it on ebay, saying you used it once only.

Billy Mackean wrote:

CasparH wrote:

Billy Mackean wrote:

CasparH wrote:

Ye I noticed that now, urgh waste of 50 bucks,,,atleast I can sharpen screwdrivers and knives and stuff now.

Anybody got anymetal they need sharpened??

couldn't you just take it back?

But it is used... I have got a warranty for 2 years...

break it then and get your money back on the warranty, or sell it on ebay, saying you used it once only.

That is what I have decided what I am going to do, any technical geniuses out there how do I break it but not make it look to obvious.!!

imho, i would say you can make decent quality decks without a belt sander...

but a drill press is essential.

just get a sanding drum for your drill press. sorted.

(although perfect width edges might be awkward)

but really...if you want to make decks well/ professionally....a disk sander is essential.

I have a drill press. I thought this kind of was a disk sander but I am going to sell it and I have found this on swiss eBay.

http://www.ricardo.ch/kaufen/handwerk-und-garten/elektrowerkzeuge/schleifen-und-polieren/berlan-bandschleifer-und-tellerschleifer-schleifmaschine-375-w/v/an666412064/