Several factors enter into choosing the right belt sander. SIZE. The size of a belt sander is measured by the width and length of the belt. PLATEN. The main advantage of a belt sander is the speed as which it removes stock. The platen on a belt sander is the plate on the bottom of the sander that comes in contact with the workpiece. TRACKING. In order for the belt to track properly and stay centered on the platen, the front and rear rollers on a sander need to be perfectly aligned. If they’re out of alignment, the belt can rub against the housing and damage both the belt and possibly the sander too. Replacing the thin, flimsy metal platen on your belt sander with a graphite platen helps you create flatter surfaces.
SizeThe dimensions of your handheld belt sander affect its portability and ease of use, of course, but when we talk about size for belt sanders, belt dimensions is often what is being referred two. Keep your belt sander clean from wood chips especially the internal components for longer belt sander life. Always unplug the belt sander belt before replacing the sand belt to avoid injuries.
Choosing the right sanding belt is a challenge and more important than you may think, as failure to do so can cause damage to both the materials that you’re working on as well as your belt sander. The five most common types of machines you’ll use a sanding belt on are hand powered belt sanders, tube belt sanders, belt file sanders, floor sanders and stationary sanding belt grinders. Belt file sanders are usually handheld sanding machines that make use of narrow, small sanding belts.
To help you overcome any sanding struggles, here is helpful information on the best electric sanders for wood and when to use them. You will usually hand-sand for small and intricate jobs where powered wood sanders can damage or obscure sharp edges and fine details. There is little difference between sanding requirements and you will likely use both belt sanders and sheet finishing sanders. There are four main wood sander types: belt sanders, random orbital sanders, disc sanders and finishing sanders. Powerful sanders have heavy vibration, while small sanders need intricate control to avoid damaging fine details. You can also lock your trigger on a run setting and clamp it to remain stationary while you feed your work to the sanding belt, disc or pad. How to Choose Sandpaper Grit for Wood. Belt sanders work well for jobs that require you to remove lots of material quickly, while finishing sanders allow you to create an extremely smooth surface.
how to choose a belt sander Related Question:
What is a 1 inch belt sander used for?
The H3140 1″ x 30″ Belt Sander provides a moving abrasive surface that can be used to shape and contour small workpieces. By tilting the adjustable table, sanding operations can be performed on miter-cut, or other angled workpieces.
What size sanding belt do I need?
dimensions listed width/length) Wrap it around the belt sander the same way you would put a belt on it. Cut the string so the ends meet up and then measure the string from end to end. To determine the width of the belt, you can measure the width of the roller or contact wheel the belt will run against.
What is the best speed for a belt sander?
The optimal speed for belt grinders is largely dependent on a number of factors, including type of abrasive grain, grit grade, workpiece material, and more. Generally speaking, a safe speed in most cases is 3,000 surface feet per minute. You can calculate surface feet per minute using the formula SFPM = RPM X .