Belt Sander vs Bench Grinder: Which One Should You Buy?

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belt sander vs bench grinder: the short answer

Pick a belt sander for flat work: smoothing welds, leveling wood, stripping a panel. Pick a bench grinder for edges: sharpening drill bits, chisels and mower blades, and deburring metal parts. If you do both, a benchtop belt-and-disc machine covers flat work at the bench while a bench grinder handles the edges. No bench grinder listing was among these four, so the bench side below is described as a use case, not a product.

The four belt sanders from the listings, ranked

1. WEN 6515T benchtop belt and disc sander

The most complete benchtop here: a 1 by 30 in belt at 3,160 FPM plus a 5 in disc at 3,450 RPM, on a 2.3A motor. It ships with an 80-grit disc and a 100-grit belt, a miter gauge and two dust ports, and it is the only listing with a stated warranty: 2 years. At a stated 16 pounds on a heavy-duty base, it stays put on the bench. Two dust ports and the stated 16-pound weight round out the most detailed listing here.

2. WEN 6502T benchtop belt and disc sander

The bigger benchtop: a 4 by 36 in belt and a 6 in disc, with a 4.3A motor up to 3,600 RPM and a belt that tilts 0 to 90 degrees. The cast iron base is stated to prevent vibration. No warranty term is stated. The 4 by 36 in belt is the largest here, for wide stock in fewer passes.

3. CRAFTSMAN CMEW213 handheld belt sander

The strongest handheld here at 7A: a 3 by 21 in belt with up to 800 fpm for fast removal, tool-free belt changes, an on-board dust bag and a 3-position handle, at 6.6 pounds. The angled belt design is stated to sand closer to adjoining surfaces. No warranty term is stated.

4. Skil 7510-01 handheld belt sander

The 6A handheld: a 3 by 18 in belt with pressure control that warns on excessive pressure, auto-tracking belt alignment, micro-filtration dust capture and a 1-1/4 in vacuum hose fitting, at 5.5 pounds, the lowest stated weight here, for overhead and vertical work. No warranty term is stated.

How to pick the right one for your shop

Benchtop or handheld

Benchtop machines stay on the bench and the work moves; handhelds go to the work. The WEN 6515T states 16 pounds on a heavy-duty base, and the 6502T a cast iron base, while the handhelds state 5.5 and 6.6 pounds. If your projects are doors, decks and panels, a handheld wins. If you shape small parts at the bench, the belt-and-disc machines win.

Belt size and what it means

Stated belt sizes run 1 by 30 in and 4 by 36 in on the benchtops, 3 by 18 in on the Skil and 3 by 21 in on the CRAFTSMAN. A wider, longer belt covers more surface per pass; a narrow 1 in belt gets into curves and small parts. Match the belt to the work, not to the motor.

Speed figures: FPM vs RPM

Read the units. The listings state belt speed in FPM, 3,160 on the 6515T and up to 800 on the CRAFTSMAN, and disc or motor speed in RPM, 3,450 and 3,600 on the two WEN machines. FPM is how fast the belt moves; RPM is how fast the disc spins. Compare FPM to FPM and RPM to RPM, never across.

Dust collection

Three listings address dust. The Skil has micro-filtration and fits 1-1/4 in vacuum hoses; the WEN 6515T has two dust ports; the CRAFTSMAN ships an on-board dust bag. The 6502T states nothing about dust. Sanding without collection coats the shop, so weigh this if you work indoors.

When the bench grinder is the answer

None of these four is built for sharpening a drill bit. A bench grinder’s wheels are for edges and deburring: bits, chisels, blades. If your job list is mostly sharpening, see our best bench grinder for garage picks and the bench grinder vs angle grinder comparison instead of buying another sander.

Amps: what the motors state

Three listings state 120V corded electric, and stated amps run 2.3A to 7A. The CRAFTSMAN states 7A, the strongest handheld here; the Skil states 6.0A; the WEN 6502T states 4.3A; the 6515T states 2.3A. More amps generally means more muscle under load, but the benchtops do their work at lower amps because the machine, not your arms, holds the work. Do not compare amps across handheld and benchtop as if they were the same job.

Tilt, angles and belt changes

Two listings make setup easy. The WEN 6502T belt tilts anywhere from 0 to 90 degrees, so the same machine sands flat and vertical. The 6515T includes a miter gauge for angled work. For belt swaps, the 6502T has a tension release lever and the CRAFTSMAN a tool-free belt release. The Skil adds auto-tracking belt alignment that keeps the belt centered. Small features, but they decide whether the sander gets used or sits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a belt sander sharpen tools?

Not well. Belt sanders are built for flat surfaces: smoothing, leveling and material removal. Sharpening wants a bench grinder’s wheels and tool rests, which none of these four listings has. Buy the tool that matches the job.

What is better for weld cleanup, a belt sander or a bench grinder?

A belt sander flattens beads on flat stock; a bench grinder deburrs edges and sharpens. For weld-heavy metal work, see our best belt sander for metal work picks.

What belt size do I need?

These four state 1 by 30 in, 4 by 36 in, 3 by 18 in and 3 by 21 in. Wider belts cover panels faster; narrow belts suit small parts and curves. Check the manual for the belt your machine takes before ordering spares.

Do I need a benchtop or a handheld belt sander?

Benchtop for small parts shaped at the bench; handheld for doors, decks and anything you cannot carry to the bench. The benchtops here state heavy bases against vibration, while the handhelds state 5.5 and 6.6 pounds for all-day carrying.

What grit should I start with?

Only the WEN 6515T states what ships in the box: an 80-grit disc and a 100-grit belt. The other three do not state included grit. Coarse grits remove material; fine grits finish. Check the listing before you assume.

Related: our picks for the best belt sander for metal work and the best bench grinder for garage, plus the belt sander vs DA sander and bench grinder vs angle grinder comparisons.