We currently use a Bona X Super 8 Belt Sander. I love it but if I'm starting my own business would it be a bad idea to get the Super 10 or possibly even the Lagler Hummel 12"...I see that standard is the 8" but if you can afford the extra inches is it a bad idea to get them? Does anyone use more than an 8" in houses?

Yes.



Wider = less passes = less time involved

I agree with you Floorguy but if your like me I'm a one man show and the bigger the machin the heavier which is why I have always stuck with 8" machine. Another thought of mine is in hallways and kitchens the bigger machine could be tight. just my two cents

I once considered getting the Super Hummel 12" belt sander. I was told it was for commercial and gym work only. But floor sanders have been using old American and Lincoln 12" drum sanders for ages in residences. I use a 8" because I can move it easier. I work alone. But you need two guys to move an American 12"er. Perhaps that Prosand 10" is the perfect in between size. And in all reality, when finishing a residential floor, only about 1/4 of my time (or less) is spent behind the big machine. All the rest is edging, scraping corners, buffing, cleaning, vacuuming, staining and finishing. So double the size of the big machine will not reduce the time of your refinishes by half, maybe only by about 12%.

Gary that is very true usually the big machine is in the truck way before your done with the job. I hadn't thougth about the fact that a small percentage of time is spent using the big machine.

i'm going to get a kunzel & tasin taurus machine. tried one the other day and it was great. it's 2 speed aswell so grinding hard is easier.