Trying to diagnose and isolate the root causes for wide belt sander issues can be extremely difficult. In light of this difficulty, the abrasive technicians at Fintech Industrial Abrasives have compiled a list of the most common wide belt sander issues and their respective potential fixes. Symptoms for issues with wide belt sanders can effectively be broken down into two categories: machine/abrasive problems and workpiece visual defects. A bad belt joint could be the result of faulty manufacturing, but it’s more common for belt joints to simply weaken and break over time. Improper belt tracking can result in a premature wearing of the belt and belt breakage. Improper belt tracking could be caused by issues related to the laser eye, tension pressure, belt cut, removal rate, improper abrasive storage, or uneven rollers. Constantly running workpieces through the sander in the same place on the belt can quickly wear out that portion of the belt and lead to loading and belt burning.
Avoiding belt sander marks When sanding a large surface, such as a table top, with a belt sander such as the one shown below, it often leaves marks on the table top from the sander. With my Makita belt sander, there is a trick to avoid some of these marks. The belt sander has a leather pad, which is slippery on the bottom, attached to the plate between the belt wheels.
A common complaint I get from wood flooring contractors about their big machines is that the sander is “Side-cutting,” or leaving lines on the floor. It does still happen with hardwoods, but checking the pressure of the drum, and adjusting that pressure, should eliminate this cause of vertical sanding lines on the floor. Moving too slowly while sanding will leave lines on both sides of the sanding path.
belt sander leaving lines Related Question:
Does a belt sander leave marks?
When sanding a large surface, such as a table top, with a belt sander such as the one shown below, it often leaves marks on the table top from the sander.
Do palm sanders leave marks?
A random orbital sander can leave swirl marks due to poor quality sandpaper, improper technique, or an inability to clear the dust from the surface.
How do you get sanding marks out of polyurethane?
Say you start with 150 grit paper. Next you would use 180 grit and sand until you can no longer see any 150-grit size scratches. Then use 200 or 220 grit and sand until the 180 grit scratches go away. And so on, until you’re satisfied.
How do you fix sanding marks after staining?
The only way to remove scratches from a unstained wood surface is to sand it again, this time moving in the direction of the grain. You can spot sand and stain the area again, if you blend the area surrounding the scratch together with the previously stained wood.
Can you sand wood too much?
If wood gets over-sanded in one spot, it starts to become uneven, with a distorted sort of appearance. This can happen to even the most experienced woodworker. Usually this starts simply by attempting to sand out a discoloration, defect, scratch or gouge.
What happens if you sand against the grain?
Depending on the tool you employ, sanding with the grain per se might not always be possible, but it is important to avoid sanding across the grain. Sanding against the grain inevitably leaves scratches that defeats the purpose of sanding the wood in the first place.
Can you use a belt sander against the grain?
Because they have a lot of power and can handle coarse grits, they excel at the rapid removal of wood. Also, unlike orbital and vibrating sanders, the sanding action is linear, so even with coarse grits you can sand with the grain and get a good-looking result.
How much can a belt sander take off?
As mentioned earlier, abrasive belts can only remove a certain amount of stock dependent on grit size. With a three-head sander you can run a grit sequence of 100-150-180 and remove approximately 1/32 inch in one pass.
How do you know when you’ve sanded enough?
The best way to know when you’re done sanding is to scribble a light pencil line across your wood before you start. Once the line is gone, move up to the next grit. Repeat up to the highest grit sandpaper, then wet your wood with mineral spirits to confirm there are no remaining marks.
Can you buff scratches out of polyurethane?
To remove scratches from polyurethane coating, moisten a scouring pad with mineral spirits. Gently rub the scratch with the pad. Allow it to dry and wipe off. Use a colored wood putty that matches your floor.
Will gel stain cover sanding marks?
SCUFF SAND You want to slightly scuff the existing finish but you don’t want to scratch the finish because Gel Stain does not cover scratches or imperfections. After sanding, I remove all the dust with a tack cloth.
Can you touch up polyurethane?
Use a similar method to touch up dinged polyurethane and water-based finishes, which don’t redissolve earlier coats and level themselves. Dab on additional finish and allow it to dry. If there’s still a slight depression after the finish dries, gently wipe the patch with 0000 steel wool and apply a second coat.