5 Simples Steps To Use A Belt Sander

Sanding rough wood can be a difficult task if you’re going about with your hands. It could be a waste of your time and money. Moreover, it can damage your hands with splinters and sturdy edges of the wood. So, you must know how to use a belt sander for working efficiently.

Belt sander is a specifically made heavy-duty device widely used for sanding uneven material having a belt as base transforming into a smooth surface. There is a proper procedure of using belt sanders and if you try it out without any instructions can lead to ruin the material you’re working on.

The method starts with installing then taking all the way to attach the workpiece on the steady surface and running the device. Once all that part is done, you’ll be easy moving the belt sander along the wood surface. In this blog, we’ll be describing the correct way of using a belt sander in detail.

1. Choosing the Right Belt

Choosing the right sanding belt is an important factor in getting the desired result. The wrong standing belt can not only ruin the final product but will also be a waste of resources.

So to start off, a belt with a coarser grit, somewhere around 40-100 should work just fine. Through this course grip, most of the starting touches will also be done such as finishes and scuffs.

Once you get the belt, you need to open the side of the device to make a replacement. Release the present lever and insert the belt. After the work is done close the lever to secure. Have a look at the best belt sanders.

2. Installing the Belt Sanders

It is important to make your board sturdy before getting to start work. You have to make sure that it isn’t slipping anywhere from any direction. You can use clamps to fix the surface or use the no-slip mat under it from your local hardware store to avoid damaging yourself or your surface.

Moreover, if you can not get any of it, you can even clench it between any two heavy-duty vises.

3. Start the Process

Once you’re done with the complete setup, it’s time to switch on the sander. However, make sure to implement precautionary measures for securing yourself from rust being mixed in the air during the process. Before using it right away, keep it running until it speeds up. You should begin with the backside of the sander gradually taking it to the wood surface.

It is essential to detect the wood grains and make longer yet steady strokes along with them. Don’t press down the material as it might result in breaking down, instead try applying even pressure. Keep checking the progress as you go.

4. Getting the Workpiece Ready

After finishing the process, release the sander from the material. The dust collector bag is most likely to be filled after you’ve done it. Detach it, empty the dust from it and reattach it to the machine.

After then, you can change the belt with the adjustment with a finer grit. Repeat this process to give the fine Finnish to your surface.

Mastering the sanding process even if you’re a beginner starts with marking your progress. Just take a pencil and mark the surface for keeping track of the area which you’ve sanded and where you haven’t. It helps to ensure sturdy sanding and even progress. After a while you’ll find the pencil mark being removed through sanding, you can mark it again after every interval.

5. Stationary Sanding

This belt sander can also be used as a stationary sender by fixing the sander from its upper and lower surface. If you’re looking to sand small wood pieces, just give your material a shape, or sharpen the edge, then it would work ideally.

Some people consider using a stationary sanding method as an uneven or imprecise one. However, it can easily also be used as a tool sharpener for your chisels, gouges, and iron bars.

Safety Tips for Using Belt Sander

There are many safety precautions that you need to carefully consider before using the belt sander.

• Wear protective gear including goggles, face masks, and gloves before starting the work.
• Even if you aren’t allergic to dust, it is recommended to use a respirator as it excretes heavy wood dust.
• Before connecting the power code, the sander’s power button should be switched off.
• If you’re changing belts, adjusting the material, or even removing the collected dust, disconnecting the power supply is a must.
• It is integral to use both of your hands while working with a sander and keep the hands away from the belt. One hand on the front knob handles, while the other can be on the trigger switch.
• Don’t just start using the sander as you buy it, carefully inspect it and look for the worn-out components.
• Adjusting the belt could be needed for proper running and keeping up the pace with the pulley drum.
• The width of the belt could be equal to the width of the pulley drum.

As we reached the end of the blog, you must be having many questions rushing into your mind. Some of these questions are answered below:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the correct way to use belt sanders, stationary or dynamically?

The way of belt sander usage depends on your needs and requirements. If you’re working on a wider surface then dynamic usage is better, but if you’re working with small workpieces then fixing it would be better.

Is it necessary to empty the dust collector?

Yes, emptying the dust collector can result in dust excretion and can result in a cleaner work surface.

What is the right way of cleaning the components?

Just use machine oil for cleaning the components and look for the worn-out ones frequently to replace them with new ones.