Belt sanders are the big, powerful gorillas of the sanding world. If you’re new to belt sanders or have been frustrated by yours, read on to find out how to keep that big ape under control. Sanders for $100 to $250 when looking for the best belt sander.
A belt sander is great for forming curved shapes on small pieces of stock, by clamping the sander upside-down and using it as a stationary sander. Third, the sander should be equipped with a dust bag, as a belt sander will make a lot of sawdust. Another popular use of a belt sander is to clamp the sander upside down on a work table, then use it as a stationary sander.
Getting better results with a belt sander boils down to doing things right before you begin and during things right during sanding. If the belt sander is moving, it won’t dig as much of a hole. Pull the sander backward letting the weight and sharpness of the belt cut the surface.
Many woodworkers are afraid of using a belt sander, and you can’t blame them. If you already own a sander, you could be out of luck if your machine wasn’t designed to take a sanding frame. Sand the board by moving the sander forward and back, in the same direction as the grain.
how to use a hand held belt sander Related Question:
Should you push down on a belt sander?
You do not have to push down on the sander. Pull the sander backward letting the weight and sharpness of the belt cut the surface. Don’t pull back and then tip the sander off the edge or you’ll cut off too much wood and need to build it back up with putty.
How much weight should you apply to the belt sander while sanding?
No need to lean on the sander. Just let the weight of the machine do the work. When you get to the end of the board make sure the platen doesn’t cantilever too far past the edge. Allow 1/3 or less of the platen length to project over the edge.
How tight should a belt sander be?
In basic terms, the amount of tension on the coated abrasive belt should be just enough to keep the belt from slipping on the drive wheel, and to keep the belt from tracking off the wood working machine.
How much wood can you sand down?
I’m not sure where sanding comes into play here, but yes, you absolutely could sand a 1/2″ off of a piece of wood. It will take some time with a belt sander and even more time if you’re doing it by hand. (On the bright side, you’ll build a good bicep that way!)
Why does my belt sander keeps breaking belts?
Heat, humidity, and age can contribute to belt seam failures, but they’re not the only causes. Check that your belts are turning in the direction indicated on the inside face. When not using your sander, release the tension on the belt.
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.
Can you use a belt sander on wet wood?
Yes, and no. There are two different methods of sanding to talk about. One is simply using a dry sander on a piece of lumber that might have been left out in the rain or has a high moisture content.