A new one is about $300-500. Would you call that a decent deal?
Most of the models like you show can work either vertical or horizontal. Do you need the 6x48 belt, or would the 4x36 work for your needs. That can make a difference in price. If you're trying to keep the cost down, you might also consider buying just the machine without the stand, and build your own. Here are some choices from Grizzly.
Bradley
I see 6x48" belt sanders on CL with some regularity (not weekly, but maybe once every month or two. Most are in the $75-150 asking price range. I consider any usable machine like this under $100 well worth it. Many are off-brand, but these are incredibly simply machines. I personally have a Dayton branded tool, purchased by a former employer through Grainger I expect. Mine is a combo disc/belt sander, belt driven with the motor mounted in the open frame below the sander. I have seen pictures of several machines or varying brands (on CL) that appear identical. I have used mine extensively and am extremely happy with it - except dust collection on the belt is lousy. There are threads here on NCWW from years ago describing others' approach to dust collection on these machines.
I am uncertain what you mean in terms of a 'nice cast iron table'; mine has a cast iron table, and although it is decently sized and very usable, I would never think of describing it as nice. It is not flimsy, nor is it acres of area, but it works for what I have used it for and needed it for (actually the least used feature for me). This design has the same table that switches between the belt and disc operation. Mine does allow the belt sander to pivot between vertical and horizontal modes, but does not lock in to the vertical mode. As an occasional wood turner, I have even used my disc sander to sharpen my turning tools (Ellsworth inspired jig for bowl gouge, rest are freehand).
Hope that helps - Craigslist, FB marketplace, OfferUp, and likely dozen more apps are all fertile ground for finding this seldom discussed workshop gem.
EDIT - Here's a relatively local CL ad, posted 3 days ago, that I bet would work for you. Cast iron table looked larger than mine, so looks nice to me. Can't verify that it would pivot to vertical, but I would surprised if it did not. Bones of this look identical to my conbo sander. Not a pretty sight with a shop made stand, but very functional I would bet. I avoid Craftsmen tools, but if my sander died today I think this $50 purchase might be my first look.
https://raleigh.craigslist.org/tls/d/raleigh-vintage-craftsman-belt-sander/6871476640.html
cool modifications and if i already had something, i might do something similar.I have the Grizzly 1014ZX, with the cabinet base. Made a couple of modifications.
This is it 'out of the box'.
View attachment 185244
I replaced the stop with a wood fence to get more use of the belt and to increase the DC port from 2" to 2-1/2"
View attachment 185245
View attachment 185246
Plus a removable taller fence.View attachment 185247
View attachment 185248
This fence gives me an extra 4-3/4" of belt to work with, or 4" with the tall fence attached. I can still use the OEM fence/workstop if needed.
View attachment 185249
For the 9" disc I got a PSA Hook&Loop pad to make it possible to swap out discs as needed without destroying the disc during removal.
View attachment 185250
Pretty good dust collection with two 2-1/2" dust ports connected to my Oneida DC.
View attachment 185251
View attachment 185252
I have the same sander, ....The belt section doesn't have a table, .... Your arrow is pointing to a stop, which I never use...
Agreed the arrow points to a stop, but I expect that the table could mount there for a vertical belt.
I am almost certain that this CL ad item is 'identical' to my Dayton branded sander - maybe the motors are different, and I certainly have a different stand, but I would bet that the castings are the same and that they were made in the same factory. Mine is late 80's or early 90's vintage. The Cast iron table is mounted on a rod, and if you look Charlie, you will find (I expect) that the belt sander portion has a mounting hole for that same table (i.e. you could could use the table for the belt sander in vertical position.
I took a pic of mine in that setup. It is not a mode that I use regularly, but I believe I have done so at one point.
View attachment 185258
So Bradley if you want a $1000 machine, more power to you. I would bet you (about $50) that this one would do what you want it to, and do it well (aside from dust collection).
Yes, motor is hung in frame/stand, and belt driven in my tool.Henry.....does the motor hang below on yours?