which belt sander 2 questions

happyhero

Hi My old belt sander was second hand and packed up so need a new one, and I really need some guidance which one to get. I am making wide frames about 8inches wide and I do other varied woodwork which can be much smaller. Its not my job but I do work with wood a fair bit and I like quality.

So what width belt sander should I go for? Any recommendations? any features I should look out for? Anything else I should know like one of the Mikitas comes with a big clip on base. Worth having or not?

My 2nd question is I used to have a good idea of the quality order of the makes but it seems difficult to tell now. Could someone put them in order now for me as I am not sure if some are even any good anyway and price is not always the guide as sometimes you are paying for the name.

I bought a cheap machine from Makro a long time ago, and it looked great but all I can say is never again. These are the makes I have looked at Dewalt, Bosch, Makita, Ryobi and anything you think worth adding. I think Dewalt are probably high up but I have no idea where Mikita are now but they seem cheaper than Dewalt if they are any good.

Any help appreciated.

happyhero

Come on someone must be able to help me, don't mean to bump this post but it's dissapeared off the screen. Any help would be appreciated.