Sanders Now

Belt sanders are typically used for rough jobs like removal of layers of old paint or such finishes from materials. The design of this power tool is quite simple with two drums in parallel housed on its underside. The drums on being rotated by a motor move the continuous loop of sandpaper or a sanding belt that has been suitably adjusted on top of the drums. They are ideally suited for jobs demanding quick surface leveling.

A belt size of three to four inches is generally used. Though wider belts provide large area of surface to be worked upon, they become a bit difficult to control. Likewise, the more powerful the motor, the more difficult it becomes to control. As the action is very quick, the chances of making erroneous cuts that may remove more than the desired material are high. It’s quite a bulky machine tool and makes it very difficult to get precision finishing. So, the operators need to be cautious and feel comfortable while working on this machine.

Maintenance:

Their bulky size helps belt sanders withstand above average shop abuse. Their size and sturdy nature makes their general maintenance relatively simple. The most important feature you need to be careful is to ensure that the two drums that hold the sanding belt are perfectly aligned all the time. When the rollers are not perfectly parallel, the belt will not be moving in the center of rollers and will slip off. But it’s not difficult to keep them perfectly positioned as a manual-tracking knob is provided on one side of the tool. As a rule, every time you change the belt, the drums should be adjusted. In case the drums are in a tilted position, the belt will move towards inner side of the rollers or it may go completely off the rollers. Moreover, improper alignment of rollers may cause the belt to move towards the housing that might damage the housing and the belt.

Another important precaution is to check the platen for wears, scratches or dents while you change the belt. A platen is a thin piece of metal with a thin sheet of cork at its back. It rests on the underside of the sander, between the inner side of the sanding belt and the sander’s shoe. While providing a soft support it also works as a kind of shock absorber for the belt and the sander. As the belt rubs over the platen, friction causes it to wear off and calls for its replacement. It is a good practice to change the platen frequently to ensure that the cork is still intact. On noticing a crumbled cork or a thinned metal, the platen must be replaced.

Changing the Belt:

For changing the belt, turn over the sander to one side so that the open side faces up. Next, pull the release handle and you’ll see the rollers coming nearer to each other and thus the belt gets loosened a bit. The belt is marked with arrows to show the direction of its movement. Slide the belt over the rollers, taking care of the direction of arrows, for if you push it the wrong way, the sandpaper will move in the opposite direction, providing no cutting action. Finally, as you drop down the release handle, the belt gets tightened over the rollers. And do not forget to align the rollers with the help of tracking knob and ensure that they are parallel. Make sure that the sander is engaged for adjusting tracking. Though the sander may be facing up or down while tracking is adjusted, it is naturally much more convenient if one can see the belt while adjustment is being made. The pathway of the belt should be in the center of the rollers and the platen. However, if you happen to land up with a stubborn belt, just ensure it tracks in the center of the rollers.

As a lot of sawdust is generated while this power tool is working, it’s absolutely essential to keep the machine clean. It should preferable be cleaned after every use, else do it at periodic intervals. That keeps it running smooth and efficiently. In case you have a corded sander, keep a check on its breakage and replace it on being found damaged.

A belt sander is a powerful machine and undoubtedly the best for speedy removal of material and leveling, apart from many other applications required in a wood workshop. Don’t get daunted by its bulky size. But, be careful and slow while working on it.