Product Description

Bosch, 3" x 21", Belt Sander, 6.6A, 550 - 1,100 SFPM Power For Professional Applications, Variable Speed For Fine Finishing Or Fast Stock Removal, Removable Front Handle For Close Work, Compact Inline Design For Better Balance, Sands Flush To Vertical Surfaces, Lever Action For Quick Belt Changes, Comes With A Dust Bag & 1 Sanding Belt.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3458 in Home Improvement
• Brand: Bosch
• Model: 1274DVS
• Dimensions: 8.00" h x 7.25" w x 19.50" l, 9.00 pounds

Features

• 3-by-21-inch dustless variable speed belt sander with compact in-line design
• Features powerful 6.6-amp, 550-1,100-sfpm motor, removable front handle, and quick-release belt change
• Graphite platen pad; cloth dust bag; ball-bearing construction
• Includes sander and 1 sanding belt
• 13-4/5-by-7-3/4 by 3-inches; 7.8-pounds; 1-year warranty

Amazon.com Review
Well-executed design combined with solid, reliable performance make this Bosch belt sander a tool with noticeable performance advantages. The Bosch features a magnesium-and-plastic housing that's lightweight yet durable. The tool is nicely balanced, comfortable, and easy to operate--important features in a tool that's often used for long periods of time for removing large amounts of stock. The Bosch comes with a cast-aluminum platen--so there's none of the warping that affects stamped-steel platens--and it sands perfectly flat right out of the box. Like many of the sanders in this class, the motor on the 1274 is aligned with the belt edge to allow flush sanding into corners. The tool's only drawback is that visibility is limited when sanding into tight corners, but that's a small minus when weighed against all the pluses. The belt-changing system works well--we didn't suffer any spring pinches--and the tracking adjustment tracks the new belt quickly and keeps it in place. There's a variable-speed dial built right into the trigger switch, which makes adjusting the belt speed fast and convenient. Wood magazine tested 10 3-by-21-inch sanders and liked the 1274DVS best. We agree that it's a great tool. --Mark McDonald

Customer Reviews

Thoughtfully designed and precisely built
This is an extremely well-designed and well-built sander. I have used many sanders and been disappointed by poor design and bad belt-changing clamping systems. Its variable speed eliminates the need to press harder or softer on the sanding surface, cutting down on the chance of gouging material or cutting divots in the surface. Changing the belts is easy: pull on the side lever and the belts slip on and off. There is an belt alignment adjustor which I set the first time I used it and haven't touched since. The front handle is removable for sanding up to obstructed edges. The dust bag actually works, and the sander can be hooked up to a dust collector. Most importantly, there are two accessories for the sander which make it versatile. The sanding stand turns the sander into an upside-down bench-mounted sander, and the optional fence provides a way to easily and accurately sand endgrain on wood. It's built in Switzerland and it looks and feels like it was made by Swiss watchmakers.

The nicest little sander money can buy
I could not agree more with Jim Thompson on this sander. You can tell that alot of thought went into its design. It is so much more useful than ordinary belt sanders. For one thing the balance is perfect. You don't have to torque your wrist to get it to sand level. Because of the in line design, you can see both sides of the belt when you are sanding. Of course you have to watch it and keep it moving, but it's alot less work with the little Bosch than the others. It's a little slower than the fastest sanders. But what you sacrifice in speed, you gain in control and accuracy. I wouldn't buy one to sand floors, but for finish work you can't beat it. It's light enough to use one handed if you have to. It easily becomes a table top horizontal sander by flipping it over on its flat top.(it's even better with the sanding frame) The dust collection really does work. The front handle comes off for tight spots. Belt changes are a cinch with the lever action release. The variable speed is a lifesaver with soft woods, detail work where you don't want to take too much off or even rough grinding on chisels and plane irons. I have several Belt sanders from different manufacturers and this truly is my all time favorite.

Bosch 3X21 Belt Sander
I'm a son of a carpenter, mechanic, home rebuilder, and avid hobbyist. I started using power tools when I was 7 or 8 years old. I'm now 39; you do the math. I've had an older model (3270) that looks identical to the 1274DVS for 10+ years and wouldn't trade it for any other. This is the only belt sander I could find with a flat top and sides. You can place the sander up side down on a table, lock the trigger and sand small parts all day. I also set the sander on its side and clamp it to my table saw's table for sanding 90-degree work. The belt centering is not the best I've seen but it works okay. The end of the belt release handle got broken years ago but it still works by pulling on the remaining stub. I recently got the cord stuck in the belt area and snapped the rubber drive belt (no other damage). Good design here as other tools I've overstressed broke more than a simple drive belt. (No, I'm not a klutz, these things happen every so often.) The sander is light enough to handle fairly good with one hand. I'm in the process of finding out if the variable speed switch and graphite platen will adapt to my older model. Bosch has a web site which is very good except no parts are available on line. A listing of authorized parts locations is given though.