Belt Sander Hire

How long does the sandpaper on a Belt Sander last?

The sandpaper, more commonly known as a sanding belt, is a coated abrasive paper or cloth that has varying grit type and size. The material attaches to the Belt Sander and uses abrasion to remove material from surfaces, making them either smoother or rougher depending on the grit size. This size is expressed as a number that has an inverse relationship to the abrasive grit particle size. For example, a grit size of P120 indicates a fine grit that is useful for smoothing or finishing surfaces, whereas a grit size of P24 indicates a coarse grit that can be used to remove top surface layers.

The lifespan of any sanding belt hugely depends on its grit type and size, the material being sanded and the regularity of use. For this reason, it is impossible to express a blanket life expectancy for all sandpapers. There are however some rules of thumb to consider when operating a Belt Sander:

• The more you use the sander, the quicker the sanding belt will wear down. Be sure to check its condition if you begin to notice a diminished effect, as this could indicate the need for a new sheet of sandpaper.
• The sandpaper will begin to fail if it becomes clogged with dust from the material you are sanding. You can visually check this as the colour of the sanding belt will change. Usually you can clear the paper of dust by shaking or thumping it, or brushing against another sheet of sandpaper.
• The other situation that may occur is the sandpaper wearing down. In this case, the sanding belt will require changing in order to maintain sanding efficiency. You can check for worn sandpaper by lightly running your finger over the in-use paper, then doing the same over an equivalent new sanding belt. If you can feel a difference between the two, it’s time to change your belt.

What is the best way to use a sander?

Best practice for sander use varies with the type of sanding project, desired finish and sandpaper grit size. Here are some universal tips that are applicable to any sanding task:

• Wear protective gear - although our Belt Sanders always come with a dust bag, it’s best practice to wear appropriate PPE to protect against any harmful stray particles. This includes goggles, gloves, and a dust mask; all of which can be found in our PPE Safety Kit Bundle if you are in need of a complete solution.
• Prepare your sanding area and make sure all surfaces are secured in place.
• Make sure that you apply a few pounds of pressure to the Belt Sander, especially when sanding metal, to ensure an efficient rate of abrasion and to stop work surfaces overheating.
• Although pressure is needed to deliver effective results, pressing too hard will crush the grit and wear the sand belt down. The sanding belt may also stretch, which will distort the resin bond and destroy the sandpaper – a few pounds of pressure applied to the Belt Sander is generally sufficient for optimal results.

For full and more information on our Belt Sanders, please refer to the leaflets provided at point of hire.