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SELECTING AN ABRASIVE BELT
The principle abrasive materials used on belts for machine sanding are aluminum
oxide and silicon carbide. Aluminum oxide is the softer of the two, but is tougher
and more suited for woods and soft (non-ferrous) metals. Silicon carbide is
extremely hard and is best suited for surfacing stone, marble, and glass.
Abrasives are classed as open-coated (with grits spaced apart), or closed-
coated (with grits close together). Closed coatings provide hard, fast cutting
action for hardwoods and dense metals, while open coatings are more suited
to soft materials and painted surfaces.
To obtain the best finish, start with a “COARSE” grade of abrasive and change
to “MEDIUM” and then to“FINE” as work progresses.
GENERAL SANDING
1. Hold the sander off the work before starting the motor.
2. Lower the sander to the work, touching the rear part of the belt first.
Level the machine when moving it forward.
3. Guide the machine over the work in overlapping strokes. Allow the
sander to do the work.
4. Avoid applying excessive pressure. The weight of the machine is usually
sufficient for a fast smooth finish. A slight increase in pressure may
speed removal of material, but too much pressure will slow the motor
and decrease removal.
5. Work back and forth over a fairly wide area to obtain an even surface.
6. Do not let the tool tilt. The edge of the belt can make a deep cuts into the
surface.
7. Do not pause in any one spot during the sanding operation. The belt will
eat into the work and make the surface uneven.
8. Lift the tool from the work before turning the motor off.
9. Always be sure that the motor has completely stopped before putting the
tool down.
SECURE THE WORK and maintain a FIRM GRIP on the
sander. Friction between the sanding belt and the work will
tend to move the work backward and the sander forward.
ALWAYS be sure that the switch is OFF before connecting
the tool to the power source.
To smooth a rough surface quickly,
use a coarse grit abrasive belt. With
the belt positioned diagonally
across the grain, move the tool in
the direction of the grain (Fig. 5).
FAST SANDING ON ROUGH WORK
Fig. 5