I normally wouldn't choose Makita as my number one choice, but after some serious shopping a few months ago it seemed the only way to go. This little machine has everything that counts and except for my one complaint it is missing nothing. Compare this to any other belt sander to see if the other one you're looking at has got everything is should have... Then buy this one, cause you won't find it.

This is an exceptional belt sander with only one flaw in my opinion.. I think the handle grip should have a little more tilt downward toward the back and not be such a flat a grip. It seems to cause my wrist to bend unnecessarily and I find it a bit tiring, noticed more when sanding on a higher table... My wrists aren't the greatest though, so you may not even notice it.

But besides that one "flaw"?? It is the best balanced belt sander I have ever used, It is compact in design. It has a low center of gravity. It sands flat with no dimples. It never, and I mean never goes off track. Put the belt on, adjust it once maybe, and don't touch it again until you change belts; amazing.

The bag is in the most logical place it can be, on the inside towards you, not hanging up in the air like some models which always irritated me anytime you did anything other than use the sander on materials that you lay flat on a table to sand. If you need to use it side ways, or in awkward positions or even not so awkward positions out on the job or in the shop, that design of bag is really quite stupid to have. There are a few models made by Makita that have that terrible bag location as well as other brands. But not this model 9920.. This is the bag of bags.. This Makita has a sturdy enough bag, that when full, it does not drop below the sanding surface and it never falls off. It doesn't sway in the wind either like the others I just mentioned. It stays firmly in place even when full without ever getting in the way. It is easy to empty as well. What more could you want.??

One of the very most important design details in my opinion for any belt sander is the ability of the belt to sand flush right up next to a wall. This one does it best. The motor housing is wisely and logically designed in far enough from the open belt side to let you put that baby right next to something with great precision... Can you tell I like this sander?

Yep,, lightweight, yet sturdy. Plenty of power, quiet, It is very quiet for any belt sander. It also comes with a 15' cord. What a great idea huh? Don't need to drag around an extension cord. To bad many other manufacturers don't see the simple genius in that longer cord. The variable speed works superiorly. This is a superior belt sander! $200 bucks,, or more, what a steal.... I am seriously considering buying another one because you know how it is, you find something you love and then they stop making it.. Problem is, it feels like this little baby will last this one man shop for 15 years.. I hope to retire by then and I bet this thing just may get me through my tinkering. I will let you know in 15 years....

Sincerely,,
Barry

Thank you Lord for the blessings.. Praise Yahaveh through in our Lord Jesus Christ

19 of 21 found the following review helpful:

Makita 9920  Dec 15, 2001

I just recently purchased the Makita 9920 3"X24" belt sander and have already begun to take a serious liking to it. I bought it to replace an old B&D Industrial 3X24 I'd had for years. It is just the right size and weight for most of the work I do and I prefer the 24's extra belt length to a 21".
For me, a larger 4X24 would just be too heavy and aggressive for use as an all around general-purpose sander. I am glad to see that Makita has taken the 1/2" of motor housing that used to overhang the right side of their old belt sanders, and moved it over to the left side where the drive belt is making it easier to sand up close to objects. I also like the new positioning of the dust bag. An adapter is available for attaching a vacuum to the dust port. The 9920 also makes much less noise than my old belt sander did.
The Makita's weight and power are just right for medium to heavier sanding jobs. A sanding frame is available for more delicate work. The body is compact with good balance and comfortable handles. The large trigger switch is easy on the fingers. The trigger lock and variable speed control dial are easy to get at. The belt release handle is large and easy to lift. Motor brushes are externally accessible for easy replacement. This tool performs very well, seems very well made and since I have experienced very good reliability from all of my other Makita tools, I feel confident that this tool will turn out to be no exception.

12 of 14 found the following review helpful:

The Best 3" x 24" belt Sander I have ever used!  Jan 08, 2004
By Flatpickin "stringpickin"
I have had this sander for about 3 months now.. I am a 25 year self employed cabinet and furniture maker.. I have had and or used almost every belt sander known to man.. This is the best 3x24 belt sander I have ever had the pleasure of working with, and it is becoming apparent to me that it may be the best belt sander of any brand I have ever used. Hard to know the whole scoop until I see how long it will hold up. But in my experience Makita's generally do a pretty adequate all around job anyway. So it may just be the sander of sanders.

I normally wouldn't choose Makita as my number one choice, but after some serious shopping a few months ago it seemed the only way to go. This little machine has everything that counts and except for my one complaint it is missing nothing. Compare this to any other belt sander to see if the other one you're looking at has got everything is should have... Then buy this one, cause you won't find it.

This is an exceptional belt sander with only one flaw in my opinion.. I think the handle grip should have a little more tilt downward toward the back and not be such a flat a grip. It seems to cause my wrist to bend unnecessarily and I find it a bit tiring, noticed more when sanding on a higher table... My wrists aren't the greatest though, so you may not even notice it.

But besides that one "flaw"?? It is the best balanced belt sander I have ever used, It is compact in design. It has a low center of gravity. It sands flat with no dimples. It never, and I mean never goes off track. Put the belt on, adjust it once maybe, and don't touch it again until you change belts; amazing.

The bag is in the most logical place it can be, on the inside towards you, not hanging up in the air like some models which always irritated me anytime you did anything other than use the sander on materials that you lay flat on a table to sand. If you need to use it side ways, or in awkward positions or even not so awkward positions out on the job or in the shop, that design of bag is really quite stupid to have. There are a few models made by Makita that have that terrible bag location as well as other brands. But not this model 9920.. This is the bag of bags.. This Makita has a sturdy enough bag, that when full, it does not drop below the sanding surface and it never falls off. It doesn't sway in the wind either like the others I just mentioned. It stays firmly in place even when full without ever getting in the way. It is easy to empty as well. What more could you want.??

One of the very most important design details in my opinion for any belt sander is the ability of the belt to sand flush right up next to a wall. This one does it best. The motor housing is wisely and logically designed in far enough from the open belt side to let you put that baby right next to something with great precision... Can you tell I like this sander?

Yep,, lightweight, yet sturdy. Plenty of power, quiet, It is very quiet for any belt sander. It also comes with a 15' cord. What a great idea huh? Don't need to drag around an extension cord. To bad many other manufacturers don't see the simple genius in that longer cord. The variable speed works superiorly. This is a superior belt sander! $200 bucks,, or more, what a steal.... I am seriously considering buying another one because you know how it is, you find something you love and then they stop making it.. Problem is, it feels like this little baby will last this one man shop for 15 years.. I hope to retire by then and I bet this thing just may get me through my tinkering. I will let you know in 15 years....

Sincerely,,
Barry

Thank you Lord for the blessings.. Praise Yahaveh through in our Lord Jesus Christ

6 of 6 found the following review helpful:

35 Years of experience Belt Sanding  May 07, 2011
By Brad Cure
I am a professional full time woodworker. I have 35 years experience behind a belt sander.

A good belt sander can make for fast smooth sanding in the right hands, or more fuel for the wood stove in the inexperienced ones.

The important consideration in choosing a belt sander is: what am I going to be using the tool for 90% of the time.
This tool by Makita 3 x 24 (9920) is best suited for this 90% use criteria.
Most of the time I am doing sanding of solid stock before assembly, as well as sanding assembled work.

NOTE: If your using this tool to sand floors or other large surfaces, this is not the sander. Purchase the appropriate sander.

This sander comes in 3 x (18)(21)and(24). The 24 is the best choice as it has a larger sole plate that makes it easier to sand flat. Also belts last longer. Note - Makita also makes a similar 4" wide model in this style. Belts are about 40% more for this extra inch.
Avoid this. If you really need a 4 x 24 then purchase the HD model by Makita. (11 amp)

Good Points of this sander include.
1) This belt sander tracks very well.
2) The cord length at 15 feet is an important because you don't always need a extension cord.
3) Light enough to use with one hand when needed. Light is less fatiguing with prolonged use.
4) Dust bag collects dust well enough.
5) Power is adequate for most work.
6) Made in Japan which has higher quality standards than most.

Over all. I think this is truely the best belt sander available on the market and will give you years of production.
With over 1000 hours behind all brands of belt sanders, I have the experience to know what I'm talking about.

6 of 6 found the following review helpful:

Review of 3 X 24 Makita belt sander  Jan 23, 2008
By John C. Tomlinson
The tool is an excellent sander. It was priced comparably with the smaller 21" sanders. The extra 3" of footprint is a significant upgrade from the more-standard 21"models. Machine work is of high quality and the sander has proved to be very durable. The dust catcher design is outstanding. It vacuums most all of the dust and is exceptionally easy to empty and clean.

See all 17 customer reviews on Amazon.com