Bosch 1274DVS 6.6 Amp 3-Inch by 21-Inch Variable Speed In-Line Belt Sander with Cloth Dust Bag Well-executed design combined with solid, reliable performance make this Bosch belt sander a tool with noticeable performance advantages. The Bosch features a magnesium-and-plastic housing that’s lightweight yet durable. The tool is nicely balanced, comfortable, and easy to operate–important features in a tool that’s often used for long periods of time for removing large amounts of stock. The Bosch comes with a cast-aluminum platen–so there’s none of the warping that affects stamped-steel platens–and it sands perfectly flat right out of the box. Like many of the sanders in this class, the motor on the 1274 is aligned with the belt edge to allow flush sanding into corners. The tool’s only drawback is that visibility is limited when sanding into tight corners, but that’s a small minus when weighed against all the pluses. The belt-changing system works well–we didn’t suffer any spring pinches–and the tracking adjustment tracks the new belt quickly and keeps it in place. There’s a variable-speed dial built right into the trigger switch, which makes adjusting the belt speed fast and convenient. Wood magazine tested 10 3-by-21-inch sanders and liked the 1274DVS best. We agree that it’s a great tool. –Mark McDonald
Customer Review: Wouldn’t recommend it
While it is pretty light, this model just has too many design issues to be worth the premium lifestyle brand price.

For starters, the dust bag is awful and the sander would be better off without it. There is absolutely nothing on either the dust port or the bag itself that is capable of creating a seal, so you invariably end up with a steady stream of dust shooting right into your face no matter how much you tighten that little screw. Odds are good that port’s going to clog up on you in a big hurry, too.

Next up is the tension release lever–it’s plastic. Not that ultra sturdy kind of plastic they make milk crates and flight cases out of that lasts forever, but the cheap kind that goes brittle as it outgasses. In this price range, I expect to get a tool that’s going to last several years, but this is one part that is very obviously going to break much sooner than that. Frankly, it feels like it’s going to snap off every time you use it.

Then there’s the little graphite pad they put over the platen. This wears down very, very quickly and you’re going to have to special order replacements. What’s worse is that 3″ belts don’t quite cover the entire thing, so after about 10 minutes worth of usage you’ll have worn a groove into it that leaves you with a 1/8″ strip on the side sitting flush with the belt itself. Can you say ugly black streaks everywhere? I knew that you could.

Lastly, the handle bugged me. There’s no good way to pick this thing up (or set it down) without accidentally bumping the trigger. I have no doubt that this would have eventually resulted in something very bad happening had I decided to keep it.

If it were maybe half the current price, I’d consider it a viable contender as I do like the weight, the flat platen, and the flat top, but I’m going to have to go with the Makita on this one. If plastic and “good enough” performance are your cup of tea, Ryobi’s even cheaper.
Customer Review: Not bad!
I purchased this Bosch belt sander to sand base boards and other trim. The wood is all yellow Pine so far. I like the smooth running of the belt and the sander doesn’t seem to work hard. I will be sanding Oak trim in the future and that might work the sander, if it doesn’t work as well on Oak I’ll be posting another opinion. My only complaint is the power trigger is located such that when you pick up the tool your finger depresses the trigger and so starts the sander. Of course I’ve learned to allow for this and now I don’t pick it up as I would other power tools.
Oh… I own other Bosch power tools, router, power hand saw, and found them to be well made too. Oh I purchased the the fence and stand for the sander, well worth the money. I look forward to using this sander for years to come.
Larry

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