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When smoothing large, flat surfaces, especially really rough ones, nothing beats the high speed and brute strength of a belt sander. This heavy tool accepts sanding belts, which are continuous loops of reinforced abrasive cloth that fit over two cylindrical drums. The tool's motor drives the rear drum while the front drum spins freely. A tension-release lever allows you to easily slip the belt onto the drums. To keep the belt running true, most sanders have a tracking adjustment knob that you can turn to center the belt.

When smoothing flat boards, always sand parallel with the wood grain to avoid scratches, and keep the sander moving at all times so you don't sand a depression. Belt sanders are also ideal for smoothing the narrow edges of boards. However, it's best to clamp several boards together and sand all the edges at the same time. This technique, known as gang sanding, not only saves time but also produces better results because you're not trying to balance the wide sanding belt on the narrow edge of a single board.

A belt sander is also great for removing an old finish, such as paint, varnish, or stain. Always start with a coarse 60-grit belt and work your way progressively through finer and finer grits until you reach the desired level of smoothness. (The larger the number, the finer the grit. So use progressively higher numbers.) Again, sand parallel with the wood grain and don't press down too hard or you'll clog up the abrasive belt. Let the weight of the tool provide the right amount of pressure.

Belt sanders come in four standard sizes, which refer to the size belt they accept: 3x18 inch, 3x21 inch, 3x24 inch, and 4x24 inch. The 3x21-inch model is the most popular size; it provides the best combination of speed, power, and balance. The 3x18-inch size is compact and easier to control, so it might be better for novices and users with smaller hands.

A 3x24-inch model provides a bit more sanding surface than a 3x21-inch sander, but it's also less stable and a bit harder to control. A 4x24-inch sander is designed for heavy-duty sanding of large, flat surfaces. Unfortunately this behemoth is hard to control and can cause more damage than good in the hands of an inexperienced DIYer.

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8y ago
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10y ago

It's actually a fabric more than paper, very strong and resists all kinds of abuse. I favor a brand called Klingspor which makes excellent abrasive belts in Germany, Britain and USA.

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10y ago

Large rough sanding - it is not a tool for fine sanding, and often needs a fine sander to 'clean up' where a belt sander has been used.

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Q: What type of sanding is done on a belt sander?
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