Sanding belts are essential tools in the abrasives industry, especially when working with wood projects. They easily remove old paint, smooth uneven surfaces and provide a consistent finish for all types of wood. They are popular and common tools used in the woodworking industry, but they don’t last forever. At some point, a craftsman will need to replace his sanding belt with a new one. Although they are not very expensive, they are worth keeping as long as possible. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to extend the life of your sandpaper belts. Read on to find out!
Tips for care
Sandpaper belts are used in conjunction with belt sanders, an electric sander that retains two wheels to hold the sanding bands. The belts travel along these two wheels at a selected speed and provide sanding for wood, metal and more. There are three main types: aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, and zirconium alumina. There are also maroon sanding bands that are perfect for sanding fine wood. Aluminum oxide sanding belts are ideal for wood and metal, while silicon carbide ones are ideal for things like ceramics, rubber, glass, marble, and even stone. For harder metals like stainless steel and cast iron, zirconia alumina is the preferred sanding belt.
Regardless of the type of sanding belt you have, there are a few ways to increase its life and prevent premature deterioration. A helpful tip to get you started: When ordering in bulk, never buy more than a year’s worth of sandpaper belts. If you’re having trouble estimating how many sanding belts you expect to use in a year, simply consult an abrasive professional for free advice. For now, here are some tips you can review:
Never order in bulk to save money.
Buying a large number of sanding belts to get a better deal is not always a “proactive” option. You may be at risk of the joints aging and breaking down in the next year or two. Buy a year’s worth and no more for best results.
Avoid “closing” sales and unknown manufacturing dates
Buying sanding belts on clearance or clearance is generally not a good bet. This is because they have an expiration date, and those that are desperately trying to sell themselves are probably close to their expiration date. Also, don’t buy sandpaper belts if you can’t confirm the date of manufacture. If you don’t know how old they are, you can’t know if they still have any value or quality. Just always make sure you buy a NEW product.
Always store in a safe and dry place
You want to keep your sander belts in a place that won’t be disturbed or damaged. Ideally, this area should be temperature controlled, or at least dry at all times. Low humidity levels are the best environment for these types of tools. Consider an air-conditioned room or garage.
New belts that break may be defective
If your new belt breaks right at the seam within 90 days of purchase, it is most likely due to a manufacturing error or defect. In this case, the manufacturer must replace the belt for you. Just be sure to save your broken item in case I need to show it to you first. For this reason, it is also important to locate the manufacturer’s contact information before purchasing new belts.