Sanding belts are used in both small handheld sanders and in large industrial sanders. The belts come in various sizes and are made in many different roughness levels so that you can choose the one that is right for your project. You need to know how to use and install these belts properly to use the sander to complete projects around the house.
The Basics
Sanding belts are used in sanders. These tools are great for refinishing wood and metal since they do get the job done very quickly. When you are using a sander for the first time you will want to be cautious, however, since the sander may take a lot more wood or metal than you expect. You need to move the sander constantly to achieve the finish that you want on your wood and metal surfaces. It is possible to chew through an entire board with a sander if you leave it in one place for too long.
The sanding belt is the main part of the sander. The belt is made from rough sandpaper that is powered by the sanders motor. You usually need to have a power outlet close by to use the sander so make sure you have the proper extension cords if you plan on working outside. You also need to be sure that you are wearing eye goggles any time that you use a sander since the belt can throw out tiny particles of wood or metal. If you are working inside it is always advisable to cover furnishings, vents and nearby doorways with heavy plastic to keep the dust confined to the room you are working in.
Safety is an important consideration when working with sanding belts to complete a project. You need to constantly move the sander to keep the material that you are working with level. Make sure that you have a large, clear area to work in so that you aren’t bothered by other materials on the floor. If you are working with smaller sized items you may want to opt for working on a table rather than the floor to keep the project easy to reach.
Using Your Sander
A sanding belt is the most important part of your sander so you need to be sure it is good working order before beginning a project. Since the belt is made from sandpaper you may want to have some replacements on hand. Sandpaper can easily lose its grit when used on wood and metal and may need to be replaced many times when completing a large project with a handheld sander. Large industrial sanders don’t have to have the belt replaced as often but you may need one or two replacements when completing a project such as floor refinishing.
You may want to begin your project by testing the sanding belt on an old board. A good belt will quickly begin to peel away the layers of the board while a dull belt will take much longer. Sandpaper belts are very inexpensive to replace. You may want to purchase several when you choose your sander just to have them on hand as needed. You can also try choosing several different types of sandpaper. You will find that rough sandpaper is best for intensive stripping projects while very fine sandpaper is good for smoothing the project off to a polished finish.
When using your sanding belt, whether it is new or not, you need to be able to let the belt do all of the sanding for you. Applying pressure on the tool can actually eat the girt off the belt sooner and require that you make a replacement before it is really necessary. The tool is made to take care of all the hard work of sanding so that all you need to do is hold the machine and guide it over the material that you want to refinish.
Replacing Your Belt
Sanding belts need to be replaced anytime they become too clogged with the materials that you are sanding or when they simply lose their grit. Most sanders are simple to operate, allowing you to replace the belt in just a few minutes. If you notice a lever on your machine then you may need to use it to release the belt. Most release levers are red or another noticeable color. If your machine doesn’t have a lever then you should check to see if the front roller moves back.
To check the front roller you begin by standing the unplugged sander up on its end. Press firmly on the front roller. If it pushes back then you can loosen and remove the sanding belt this way. If you see that the belt is attached by a screw then you will need to remove the screw to replace the belt. Most models of sanders are very easy to replace. To replace the belt you should tighten the belt and then replace the screw, if needed, or flip the lever back into place. The entire process can be done in less than five minutes.
You may also need to replace your sanding belts as you move through your project. For example, when refinishing a hardwood floor you will begin with a larger grit sandpaper then move down to a very fine grit incrementally. Each time that you replace your sanding belt you need to go back over the floor to achieve a finished look that is uniform in appearance.
Buying
You can buy sanding belts at any local hardware store, or you can make a bulk purchase online to save money. If you plan on using your sanding belt often then it is a good idea to buy in bulk. Most hardware stores carry individual and multi-packs of belts that you can purchase. If you need several different grits then buying a multi-pack of each type ensures you are ready for any project that comes to you. Sanding belts are a simple way to finish any sanding project quickly and easily.
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