Tech & Gadgets · Head-to-head
Makita 9403 4 in. x 24 in. Belt Sander vs Makita 9903 3 in. x 21 in. Variable Speed Belt Sander
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Belt Sanders: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The 9403 has the largest belt and the fastest published surface speed here, and Makita is the only brand in the group that publishes a noise figure. The 9903 gives up belt width for variable speed and 3 lbs, which is the better trade for most work.
Makita 9403 4 in. x 24 in. Belt Sander
Buy itThe biggest belt and the fastest published speed in the group, and the only one that tells you how loud it is.
- 4 by 24 inch belt covers more surface per pass than any 3 inch machine here.
- 1,640 ft/min belt speed from an 11 amp motor, the highest published figure in this comparison.
- 84 dB published sound level, the lowest of the two machines here that state one.
- Sands flush to a wall on one side, and a dust bag is included.
- 12.6 lbs, over 3 lbs heavier than the 9903 and nearly 5 lbs heavier than the Craftsman.
- No variable speed, so it runs at one rate whatever the material.
- A 4 inch belt is harder to control on narrow stock and easier to dig in with.
Makita 9903 3 in. x 21 in. Variable Speed Belt Sander
Buy itThe 3 by 21 that most people should buy, and the only corded machine here with a real speed range.
- Variable speed dial from 690 to 1,440 ft/min, so it can be slowed for veneer, plastic or paint.
- 8.8 amp motor and 9.5 lbs, light enough to use on a vertical surface without fighting it.
- 85 dB published, one of only two machines here with a stated noise figure.
- Sands flush to a wall and takes the widely stocked 3 by 21 belt size.
- 3 inch belt removes material more slowly than the 9403 on a wide panel.
- Top speed of 1,440 ft/min is 200 ft/min below the 9403.
- Dust bag only, with no built-in vacuum port sized to a standard hose.
Side by side
| Makita 9403 4 in. x 24 in. Belt Sander | Makita 9903 3 in. x 21 in. Variable Speed Belt Sander | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Flattening glued-up panels, leveling large surfaces, and any job where removing material quickly is the whole point. | General shop work: door fitting, panel cleanup, paint removal, and anything where you want to dial the speed back rather than commit to one rate. |
| Price tier | $$$ · premium | $$ · mid-range |
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Makita 9403 4 in. x 24 in. Belt Sander - The biggest belt and the fastest published speed in the group, and the only one that tells you how loud it is. Choose the Makita 9903 3 in. x 21 in. Variable Speed Belt Sander instead if general shop work: door fitting, panel cleanup, paint removal, and anything where you want to dial the speed back rather than commit to one rate.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Belt Sanders: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).