Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5546 in Home Improvement
• Brand: Black & Decker
• Model: DS321
• Dimensions: 6.13" h x 6.19" w x 15.38" l, 8.25 pounds

Features

• Innovative front roller allows you to reach even the tightest corners with ease
• Retractable, three-position handle for optimum control
• Dust collector keeps work area clean for improved visibility
• Dimensions: 15.4 x 6.2 x 6.1 inches (WxHxD); weighs 8.2 pounds; 2-year warranty
• Includes medium grit sanding belt, dust bag, and instruction manual

Amazon.com
Go ahead and say it: It looks like a race car. That's what we said, too, and were ready to dismiss it as a gimmick. But then we tried it, and we stopped smirking. The smaller front roller changes everything you know about using a belt sander, making the belt's route more of a triangle than an oval. And because of that, you can get the grit to spaces you couldn't with a standard belt sander—for example, you can actually scoot right up to the baseboard when sanding a floor. There's more contact area with this design, and while that may be a moot point, we think it's still worth mentioning. We really like the three-position handle; it adjusts easily and lets you have the grip you need to be in control of an aggressive tool like this one. The dust collector works as well as any on a belt sander (meaning you're still going to have a mess to clean up). Belt changes are pretty straightforward and easy, thanks to the simple belt release lever. Because it's not a high-end tool, don't expect impeccable belt tracking here; still, the adjustment knob does a good job of tracking. This is one of those why-didn't-someone-think-of-this-sooner tools. Such a simple design change offers so much more utility in a well-priced staple of the workshop.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste

Amazon.com Product Description
Featuring an innovative front roller that allows you to reach even the tightest corners with ease and cuts down on the need for flush sanding, this 6.0 Amp sander from Black & Decker is ideal for home improvement enthusiasts. Compact and lightweight, the Dragster DS321 boasts a retractable, three-position handle for optimum control and a dust collector to keep your work area clean for improved visibility. When it's time to change the paper, simply utilize the belt release lever and adjustment knob (which ensures the belt remains in the correct position) and you're ready to get back to work.

Customer Reviews

BD DS321 - Belt Tracking is Poor
Everything works well, except the belt tracking. I spend most of my sanding time trying to center the belt. I am afraid the unit will soon end up in the trash can.

Great features, but frustrating to use
Love the low profile design which is specifically what I was looking for in a sander, so I was willing to purchase the sander just for this feature (already own a good belt sander that has a standard profile). However ... the belt wanders ALL OVER THE PLACE. Very difficult to keep it on track. I spend more time futzing with the belt tracking adjustment than I do sanding.

Also noticed that it takes longer to get the same results with this sander that I get when using my normal belt sander. Takes longer with the Dragster to get the same results using 80 grit, for instance, as I get with my old belt sander. So allow more time for sanding, even w/o factoring in the additional time needed to futz with the belt tracking.

Someone else mentioned squeaky bearings. Have that problem, too. High-pitched squeak can be very annoying.

Plastic casing isn't very durable. Within the first few minutes of use, the orange casing on the front end shredded due to belt tracking being off (belt slipped to the inside and I didn't stop the sander immediately because to see if the belt would adjust itself).

Great looking sander. Great idea. Love the concept. Frustrated with belt tracking. I don't have the patience to continually adjust it. So only use the sander when I really, really need to use the low profile aspect. Definitely not a sander to purchase if you only want to buy one belt sander.

suprised how good a sander it is.
i am a remodeler and also own professional model sanders. i purchased the dragster in a pinch. it was the only sander in stock at my local home depot. i knew about tools trial period and expected to return the sander for lack of quality. i was suprised, the dragster is a keeper especially with its light weight and the close up sanding feature. i dont know how long it will run in heavy use but is worth the $70.