Customer Reviews for RIDGID 6.5 Amp Corded 3 in.W x 18 in.L Heavy-Duty Variable Speed Belt Sander with AIRGUARD Technology

For some reason it would not Brampton up to high speed even on the highest setting. The base also seemed to hinder the sandpaper from making complete contact with the surface I was sanding. I returned the sander and will find out if I can get my other sander repaired.

Sander does not maintain sanding speed.

I had a previous version of this sander that lasted me a couple of years before the belt quit spinning. The motor would spin, but the belt wouldn't. Well, it turns out I didn't register it in time, so the "lifetime" warranty / service agreement wasn't in effect. I bought another one. The new one lasted less than an hour before completely burning up. I'm talking burning electrical smell and smoke coming from the motor. I ended up having to purchase another brand to finish the job.

Makes sanding so much easier.

Stone dead and smoking after 30 minutes of reasonable use. I now calculate that I’ll need two dozen more belt sanders to complete my deck sanding project. Perhaps they will ship these by the pallet…

I ordered online for pick up and they gave me a used sander with dust in the bag and machine!

Works well, the dust bag is too close to the handle which will mess up your knuckles if/when you use your left hand.

Not sure if this one was a lemon... buy it failed (seized) after an hour of use. Should have bought a better brand I guess.

Belt sander did the job for which it was purchased, quickly sanded down part of a Corian countertop to fit in a new refrigerator

Haven't used yet. Wanted to get a Ryobi but none on the shelf.

I used it for maybe 20-30 minutes sanding two 1x6x6 deck boards, then when I picked it up to do a third board it just buzzed, and the sandpaper would not move. I could not determine what might be stuck so I returned it to the store for a refund. On the good side, it created very little dust when I was sanding the first two boards.

I have owned two of these and both just quit suddenly. Free repair is worthless, too far away and requires a 45$ deposit. This tool makes a good paperweight only.

A fantastic variable speed belt sander with an unbelievable lifetime service warranty! Dust collection is handled well with AIRGUARD Technology or hook it up directly to a shop vac. No tools needed for belt changes is definitely a plus!

This sander didn't have the power i needed for the job. Exhaust was easily blocked.

Not the best not the worst very slow start I guess for amatures

I’ve been a loyal Rigid tool user for 40 years, but I think this is the end! My 50 year old Sears belt sander blew this away. The sander lacks horsepower using any course grit sanding belt. Constant clogging inside the housing due to undersized collector where the gap between the plastic is too narrow, preventing any significant amount of sawdust and air to pass thru to the blower. Multiple right-turns interruption sawdust flow before it reaches the collection bag. Cleaning clogged sawdust requires disassembly of the electric motor and reinstallation of both brush assemblies; unless of course you have a blow gun with an air compressor handy! Drive roller wore out before 40 hours of use.

Sure they have a good warranty but when it comes time to service because the bearings have been shot, after very little use, I find that upon going to their website to see my registration particulars, everything that I've registered has miraculously disappeared! Here today and gone tomorrow! I've emailed that website, was told to email another website and after 2 more weeks have heard nothing!

Took the sander out of the box put a sanding belt on hit the power button and the motor just hummed. Sanding belt didn’t move. Tried some adjustments and still nothing.

Title is subject. This sander overheated and seized after 20 minutes of use of light duty. I wasn't putting any pressure on the unit; was letting the belt do all the work. Complete garbage -- do not buy and do not believe the 5 star reviews.

After using it for about an hour and trying different sandpapers, I finally just threw my hands up and had to find a different solution. I like rigid, but this thing just kind of sucks. It's easy to change the belt, but it doesn't have enough power. I've used a lot of different sanders, so I know what to expect out of a sander. The belt doesn't spin fast enough or with sufficient power. Sanding with this felt akin to mixing concrete with a kitchen mixer. Can't recommend it for any application.

made enough sawdust to clog the filter in my shop vac, so I'd say it does the job well enough.