Belt sanders are substantial, heavy devices that have a continuous belt of sandpaper wrapped around two rollers. The belt spins rapidly around the rollers, enabling the tool to remove large amounts of material — usually wood — quickly. Belt sanders are best suited for heavy-duty jobs at the beginning of the sanding process, like smoothing out decks, porches or floors. For finer sanding jobs, you should switch to a random orbital sander or a finish sander.
Variations:
- Handheld:
The majority of belt sanders aimed at consumers are designed as handheld tools. These share a few common elements, including front and rear handles, a dust-collection unit, a motor and a sanding belt, although design specifications vary widely by manufacturer. As you’ll be handling these for long periods of time, try several models to see which feels best in your grasp.Some models feature adjustable motor speeds for smaller sanding jobs and detail work; motor power, rated in amperage, also varies. Belts come in a variety of sizes. The most common belt sizes include 3 inches by 18 inches, 3 inches by 21 inches and 4 inches by 24 inches, all of which are sufficient for most at-home jobs. Some handheld belt sanders can be turned over and used upside down as a bench sander, greatly increasing their versatility.
Portable Belt Sander- Stationary:
Stationary belt sanders tend to be far more expensive than handheld models and are typically suited for heavy-duty professional use, rather than jobs around the home. Sanding belts are also far larger — 6 inches by 48 inches or 25 inches by 60 inches, for example — than those found on handheld models. These machines are extremely handy for woodworkers or metalworkers who need to quickly round off square edges on table surfaces or similarly large pieces.
Like other shop-grade tools, stationary belt sanders typically are constructed mostly from cast iron and are large, imposing pieces of machinery. Today’s portable devices often feature a combination of heavy-duty plastic and metal components.
Tool Tips and Advice:
- Some scratching of the work surface may be inevitable with a belt sander, but you can minimize damage by sanding with the wood grain, instead of against it.
- You should clean your belt occasionally to ensure maximum life. This can be done by running it against a neoprene block or by spinning it against an old tennis shoe.
- Although belt sanders have an attachment to collect dust, some dust will still escape into the air. Wear a mask while sanding, particularly if you’re susceptible to respiratory problems.
- As with any kind of power equipment, it’s a good idea to wear safety goggles to prevent injury.
