1200W 10A Electric Portable Sanding Machine Belt Sander

Product Details

A belt sander is a sander used in shaping and finishing wood and other materials. It consists of an electric motor that turns a pair of drums on which a continuous loop of sandpaper is mounted. Belt sanders may be handheld and moved over the material, or stationary (fixed), where the material is moved to the sanding belt.

Use of belt sander

1. Select the Sandpaper

The first thing you need to do before starting a sanding project is determine the sandpaper you need to use. Belt sanders use sandpaper belts that come in a range of grits. Typically, a belt sander is used for stripping paint or rough sanding, so you will likely be starting with a sandpaper belt that has a coarser grit. Look for 40, 80, or 100 grit to start the project, then work up to finer grits for a smoother surface. If you are going to be using a finish sander after using the belt sander, then you probably won't need to exceed 120 grit, but if you will only be using the belt sander, then consider increasing the grit to at least 180 for a smoother finish.

2. Prepare the Work Area and Material

Belt sanders are powerful tools. This means that it isn't enough to grip the tool tightly with both hands while you work, you also need to ensure the material cannot be flung across the room. To make sure that you aren't throwing wood across the workshop, clear a space on a workbench and use clamps to secure the material. If you feel like the clamps will get in the way, then you can use a fence or block at one end of the material to prevent it from moving. Just make sure that you don't change the direction you are sanding unless there is a fence or block at the other end as well.

3. Start Sanding

Flip the switch or squeeze the trigger on the belt sander to start the motor. If you are using a stationary belt sander, keep the material away from the belt until it is up to full speed, then gradually bring the material into contact with the belt to start sanding. If you are using a portable or handheld belt sander, hold the tool away from the material you intend to sand until the belt is up to speed. Bring the rear of the sander down to the surface of the material, making sure that you grip the sander tightly to prevent it from slipping out of your hands. Lower the front of the sander and start moving the tool across the surface of the material.

4. Strip or Sand the Material

You can usually rely on the weight of the belt sander to provide enough downward force for sanding, but you do need to maintain a firm grip on the tool while you work. Sand with grain to help avoid creating noticeable lines in the material. If you are leveling an uneven surface, then you can sand diagonally, but as the material becomes level, it's recommended to switch to a finer grit sanding belt and begin sanding with the grain. This extra step removes any scratches that are created by diagonal sanding. Try to use long, even strokes while maintaining steady pressure to get a smooth, level finish. Keep in mind that applying too much pressure can result in deep gouges. Leaving a belt sander in one place too long will quickly wear down the material. Keep the sander moving in the direction of the wood grain for an even finish. Take it slow and check your work frequently. Clean away any debris that may be obscuring your vision to help prevent damage to the project.

5. Clean Up

Belt sanders create a lot of debris. Some models are made with a built-in vacuum outlet that can connect to a shop vac or a workshop vacuum system to suck up the dust and debris as it's created. However, if you don't have a connected vacuum system, then you are left to clean up after the project is finished. Use a shop vac, broom, or brush to clean up the sawdust and debris. Make sure to clean out the belt sander as well. If debris is left under the belt, it can cause uneven sand patterns in your next project.