Makita 40V XGT Belt Sanders
Makita 40V XGT belt sander kit for fast, flat timber prep on site.
When you've got doors to ease, joists to level, or rough-sawn timber that needs knocking back before it'll fit, a belt sander saves hours and your wrists. Makita 40V XGT belt sanders bring cordless shove, proper tracking, and dust control that actually keeps the mess down. Pick the belt size that suits your work and get set up for clean, consistent runs.
What Are Makita 40V XGT Belt Sanders Used For?
- Flattening high spots on studwork, joists, and timber packers so your linings, floors, and fixings sit true without fighting you.
- Easing and trimming doors, frames, and site-made timber before second fix, especially when you need quick material removal without dragging out a planer.
- Stripping back old finishes on stairs, boards, and joinery during refurbs when a scraper is too slow and a random orbit sander won't bite.
- Cleaning up glued joints and proud edges on laminated worktops and panels so you can get to a neat finish without gouging the surface.
- Prepping rough timber for paint, stain, or sealant where you need a straight, even key and you cannot afford dips and waves.
Choosing the Right Makita 40V XGT Belt Sander
Match the sander to the size of the timber and the finish you need, because belt sanders remove material fast and they will show every mistake.
1. Belt width and length
If you are mainly easing doors and working on edges, a narrower belt is easier to control. If you are flattening boards and big faces, go wider for faster coverage and fewer passes.
2. Speed control and tracking
If you are working on softwood or near veneers, pick a model with variable speed so you can back it off and avoid burning. Whatever you buy, make sure the tracking adjustment is easy to reach, because a belt that wanders will chew edges and waste belts.
3. Dust collection set-up
If you are sanding indoors or in finished areas, do not rely on the bag alone. Choose a sander that will connect cleanly to an extractor, because belt sanding makes heavy dust fast and it gets everywhere.
4. Battery capacity for real shifts
If it is occasional fitting work, smaller XGT batteries will get you by. If you are flattening timber all day, step up in Ah and keep a spare charged, because belt sanders pull power constantly under load.
Makita 40V XGT Belt Sander FAQs
Is a Makita 40V XGT belt sander too aggressive for joinery?
It can be if you treat it like a finishing sander. Use the right grit, keep it moving, and do not lean on it, then it is spot on for easing doors, levelling edges, and prepping timber before you switch to a finer sander for the final finish.
Will it run all day on one battery?
No, not realistically if you are sanding under load. Belt sanders draw steady power, so plan on at least one spare XGT battery if it is more than quick fitting work, especially on coarse grits or hardwood.
Does the dust bag actually keep the mess down?
It helps for quick outdoor jobs, but it is not a substitute for extraction. If you are working indoors, on refurbs, or anywhere near finished surfaces, connect it to a dust extractor and you will keep the air clearer and the belts cutting longer.
What grit belts should I keep in the van?
Keep a coarse option for stripping and levelling, a medium grit for general prep, and a finer grit for cleaning up before paint or stain. If you only carry coarse belts, you will spend longer fixing scratches than you saved sanding.
Is belt tracking a real issue on site?
Yes, if you ignore it. Check tracking when you fit a new belt and after a knock in the van, because a belt that drifts will mark the work, wear unevenly, and can damage the sander over time.
Who Are These For on Site?
- Chippies and joiners doing first fix and second fix who need fast stock removal for doors, trims, and timber that is never quite square.
- Shopfitters and fit-out teams chasing tight tolerances on panels and edges, especially when you are working in occupied buildings and need cordless control.
- Maintenance and facilities teams sorting sticking doors, swollen thresholds, and quick timber repairs without running leads through live areas.
- Decorators and refurb crews stripping and keying timber properly before coatings, so the finish lasts and you are not back on snagging.
The Basics: Understanding Belt Sanders
A belt sander is a fast stock-removal tool, not a finishing sander. Used right, it gets timber flat and true quickly, but you need to understand how it behaves so you do not dish the work.
1. The belt does the cutting
The abrasive belt runs in a loop over rollers and removes material quickly, so you keep it moving and let the weight of the tool do the work rather than leaning on it.
2. Grit choice changes the job
Coarse grits are for stripping and levelling, but they will leave deep scratches. Step through finer grits or swap to a random orbit sander for finishing if the surface is going to be seen.
3. Tracking keeps it safe and straight
Tracking adjustment centres the belt on the rollers. Get it running true before you start, because a belt that rides up will scuff the housing, mark your work, and burn through belts.
Belt Sander Accessories That Save Time on Site
The right consumables and a proper dust set-up make the difference between quick, clean runs and fighting the tool all day.
1. Spare sanding belts in mixed grits
Keep coarse belts for levelling and stripping, then finer belts for cleaning up, because trying to "finish" with a worn coarse belt just leaves scratches you will be chasing later.
2. Dust extractor and hose adaptor
Hook it up when you are indoors or sanding resinous timber, because belt sanders clog fast and the dust gets into everything, including hinges, kitchens, and freshly painted areas.
3. Extra Makita 40V XGT batteries
A belt sander will drain a battery quicker than a drill, so a spare pack stops you downing tools halfway through trimming a run of doors or flattening a batch of timber.
4. Fast charger
If the sander is earning its keep most days, a quicker charge cycle keeps you working instead of rotating half-flat batteries and hoping one is ready.
Shop Makita 40V XGT Belt Sanders at ITS
Whether you need a compact belt sander for fitting work or a bigger unit for flattening timber properly, we stock the Makita 40V XGT belt sander range in the key sizes and kit options. It is all held in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery so you can get back on the job without waiting around.
