Makita 9903 vs 9403 | Choosing The Ideal Belt Sander

Last updated on November 30th, 2022 at 05:54 pm

When choosing between the Makita 9903 vs 9403, numerous factors will help you choose the perfect machine. Belt speed, belt grain, durability, motor and dust collection system are essential. Speed variance matters because you will need to use your machine for different materials that require different speeds.

A motor is the heart of a sander. Therefore, it must also be powerful. You can have a high-quality sander whose speed varies, but if the dust extraction is inefficient, you cannot work in a healthy environment. Each product has its strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, below you will find a detailed evaluation showing which product is best.

Overview of the Makita 9403

The Makita 9403 is a single belt sander that runs at 1640 rotations per minute. That ensures a fast removal of unwanted material. The maximum speed is excellent and ideal for an effective and highly efficient machine. The overall performance is excellent. It Has a powerful 11 Amp motor that gives more power output to run activities on materials. It turns the four-inch-wide belt without a hassle. 

It has a 4 x 24-inch belt that makes the machine spacious enough to accommodate large items. You may choose this product due to the fast removal rate it operates on, and you hardly hear sound when in use. The sound is rated 84 decibels which is close to total silence. The high-quality construction is impressive. 

It gives protection and seals the bearings and the motor. That makes it last longer. The front handle makes it comfortable and secure to use the tool without fear of damaging it. The 360-degree rotating dust bag makes the tool user-friendly. It becomes convenient since you do not turn it the traditional way. 

Pros

• Heavy duty (no noise)
• Comfortable grip
• 360-degree rotating dust bag
• Bearing and motor protection
• Long power cord and wide belt size

Cons

• It is not affordable
• Heaviness after a long time in use

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Key Features of the Makita 9403 

Amp motor

The 11 amp motor has excellent power and speed. The electronic speed control remains constant under load. The removal of material becomes faster. The performance remains constant on both hardwood and softwood materials. The motor is ideal for high-production use. It comes with a cord that is on top of the machine. That makes it convenient.

Dust collection system

The dust bag that comes with the machine rotates up to 360 degrees. That makes the operation convenient. You do not have to use the dust collection bag manually but automatically. That saves time and allows you to multi-task hence accuracy. The dust collection is located right on the top side, and you easily control it.

Rotations per minute

The sander runs at a speed of 1,640 feet per minute. The speed rate is fixed, which is ideal for fast material removal. You will not spend more time on a task. The 4-inch belt makes the process faster and smoother. 

Safety features

The dust collection system keeps you safe from diseases caused by sawdust. The front grip is large, and the position allows you to operate the machine easily.

Overview of the Makita 9903

The Makita 9903 belt sander is ideal for DIY enthusiasts, and a premium quality belt sander has performance and longevity.  It has solid durability and a powerful 8.8 Amp motor that offers sanding activities. It has a way of maintaining its speed. It is consistent when working under load. It has a speed variance of 690 to 1,440 feet per minute. 

The electric speed control dial allows you to fine-tune the sanding activity appropriate to the task you are running at the moment. The machine does not make noise. It comes with a dust collection system that involves a collection bag that takes time before it needs emptying. The tool has the power to remove both paint and rust. 

The 16.4 feet power cord can connect to a power source far from your working space. That is convenient if you have challenges in power. The variance in speed makes the tool versatile. The construction seals the motor and the bearings, which keeps the machine safe from contamination. The front has a good grip that comes with a comfortable location. It weighs up to 13 pounds.

Pros

• It has double insulation
• No noise
• Durable construction
• Excellent grip
• Speed variance

Cons 

• The vacuum system clogs
• It does not come with a plastic storage box

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Key features of the Makita belt sander 9903

Safety features

The tool produces 85 decibels of sound. That is safe to use. It will not damage your hearing. You have control over the tool. It is double insulated, protecting you from the earth if there is ever going to be faulty. You do not have to experience a lot of heat from the machine. The dust bag connection keeps you safe from inhaling sawdust. 

Dust Collection system

The tool comes with a dust bag that prevents you from having diseases caused by inhaling sawdust. The dust bag rotates 360 degrees and is convenient for the user. You do not have to control it manually. All you need to do is connect it properly. That reduces labor from the user. You can use a pump horse as a substitute for the collection bag. 

RPM Speed

It has a speed variance of 690 to 1,440 feet per minute. That is possible with the powerful 115Volt motor that makes fast material removal effective. The variable speed sander has consistency in multiple types of surfaces. The precision when working on pint remains the same as when the tool is working on rust. 

Handle

The sander has a front handle that is convenient to use. It gives you gripping that makes you feel secure when handling the machine.

Similarities

• They both have long power cords.
• The products do not make noise when in use.
• They both have dust bags that rotate up to 360 degrees.
• The machines have high-quality construction that seals both the motor and the bearings. It keeps the machine safe from contamination.
• They both have a convenient front handle that gives you griping. 

Differences between the Makita 9903 and 9403

• The Makita 9903 belt sander has a speed variance of 690 to 1,440 feet per minute, whereas the Makita 9403 belt sander has a fixed speed of 1,640 feet per minute. 
• The Makita 9903 has a 3×21-inch belt wide belt, whereas the 9403 has a 4×24-inch wide belt. 
• The Makita 9903 weighs 9.5 lbs, whereas the 9403 weighs 13 pounds.
• Makita 9403 is run by an 11amp motor, whereas the 9903 comes with an 8.8 amp motor. 
• The Makita belt sander 9403 has 84 decibels of sound, whereas the 9903 has 85 decibels.

Cost 

The Makita 9903 is more affordable than the Makita 9403 belt sander. Both products have the same price range.  However, you will save about 32 bucks if you buy the Makita 9903. 

Verdict

In summation of the above reviews, there are notable similarities between the Makita belt sander 9903 and the Makita 9403. They both have long power cords. You hardly experience noise when using the products. The machines have high-quality construction that seals both the motor and the bearings.

It keeps the machine safe from contamination, and they have a convenient front handle that gives you gripping. However, the Makita 9903 will be ideal if you want speed variance. For a lightweight and more affordable machine, I recommend the Makita belt sander 9903. The Makita 9403 is a silent machine that has a long power code. If you want to maintain a constant speed without tuning the sander, the Makita belt sander 9403 is ideal. It has a fixed speed rate of 1,640 feet per minute.