Troubleshooting Common Abrasive Tool Issues - Sanding Belts

Among the most adaptable abrasive devices on the market are sanding belts. They are made of long strips of abrasive material, usually paper or cloth, that have been covered in several kinds of abrasive grains, such as ceramic, silicon carbide, zirconia, and aluminum oxide. Their intended function is to be attached to belt sanders, which employ the belt's constant motion to remove material, smooth surfaces, or produce the required finish.

Sanding belts are frequently used for shaping, material removal, deburring, finishing, and polishing in metalworking, woodworking, automotive, and other industries and pastimes. They can be used in a variety of materials, including composites, metal, plastic, and wood.

Correct use of sanding belts is essential to getting the intended results, guaranteeing safety, and extending the life of the abrasive product. The right amount of grit size must be chosen, the tension must be kept constant, and the proper methods must be applied to prevent typical problems like uneven wear and belt tracking.

COMMON PROBLEMS WITH SANDING BELTS

• Belt breakage. 
• Uneven wear. 
• Grit shedding 
• Tracking problems with the belt.

REASONS AND TROUBLESHOOTING

1. ADJUSTING TENSION

Appropriate tension is essential.
To get the most out of your sanding belt and prolong its life, it's imperative to set and maintain the proper tension. Inadequate or excessive stress can result in uneven wear, belt breakage, and decreased overall efficiency.

HOW TO RECOGNISE UNBALANCED TENSION?

Inadequate sanding results, excessive noise, and belt slippage are indicators of improper tension.

MODIFYING THE BELT TENSION 

Since each belt sander is unique, the first thing you should do is consult the handbook that came with the equipment since it should provide detailed instructions on how to establish the correct tension. The belt sander should be gradually adjusted until it operates firmly, smoothly, and without producing a lot of noise or slippage.

2. STORAGE AND HANDLING OF BELTS PROPERLY

It's crucial to handle and store objects correctly.

All coated abrasives, including sanding belts, are susceptible to degradation over time from incorrect handling or storage. The adhesives bind the abrasives together, and the belt itself can degrade when exposed to high humidity, temperatures, or direct sunlight.

POINTERS FOR STORING SANDING BELTS CORRECTLY

• Belts should be kept out of direct sunlight in an excellent, dry location. 
• Belts should not be near other sources of heat or moisture (heaters, humidifiers, etc.). 
• Belts should be handled carefully to prevent kinking or creasing. 
• Instead of keeping the belts in a tight container, hang them if at all possible.

3. SELECTING THE PROPER GRIT 

CRUCIAL ASPECTS OF GRIT SELECTION:

 When selecting an abrasive for most jobs, one of the most crucial considerations is the size of the grit or coarseness. The incorrect grit size might result in uneven wear, damage to surfaces, excessive heat buildup, or an inadequate finish.

HOW TO SELECT THE APPROPRIATE GRIT SIZE?

Depending on the substance you are sanding and where you are in the grinding process, choose a grit. While coarser grits remove material more quickly, they also leave deeper wounds. The surface will be finished and smoothed using finer grits.

4. SELECTING THE PROPER ABRASIVE GRAIN

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ABRASIVE GRAIN DIFFERENCE:

To get the most out of your sanding belts, selecting the appropriate abrasive substance is just as important as grit size.

VARIOUS ABRASIVE GRAIN TYPES AND HOW BEST TO USE THEM 

• All-purpose abrasive. 
• Perfect for composites, metal, plastic, and wood. 
• Both durable and economical.

• Ideal for use in heavy-duty applications 
• Ideal for grinding alloys, stainless steel, and hard metals 
• Self-sharpening qualities provide reliable performance.

• Extremely forceful and pointed abrasive 
• Perfect for both wet and dry applications, especially on non-ferrous metals, glass, and stone 
• Excellent for polishing and fine finishing

• Designed to provide long-lasting performance and high-pressure grinding 
• Perfect for materials that are difficult to grind, such as superalloys, titanium, and stainless steel 
• More excellent grinding lowers the accumulation of heat.

• Ideal for cleaning, preparing, and finishing surfaces 
• Fit for a variety of materials, such as wood, plastic, and metal 
• lowers the possibility of surface damage and offers a uniform finish

SELECTING APPROPRIATE ABRASIVE GRAINS:

When choosing the suitable abrasive grain for a job, take into account the material you will be dealing with, the finish you want, and the particular application. Choose a grain type based on the specific needs of your project.

5. BELT TRACKING ADJUSTMENT

CAUSES OF PROBLEMS WITH BELT TRACKING:

Belt tracking issues can be caused by misaligned rollers, uneven wear, and improper tension (as previously indicated).

HOW TO RECOGNISE AND FIX ISSUES WITH TRACKING?

When your belt is not centered on your rollers, this will happen. Your belt sander's tracking system has to be adjusted. Minor modifications should be made repeatedly until the belt is appropriately positioned and operating.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR BELT ALIGNED PROPERLY?

• Make sure the rollers are always clean and clear of debris. 
• Examine for wear or damage and replace as necessary. 
• Examine and maintain your belt grinder on a regular basis.

This article discusses several of the most typical problems with sanding belts and offers solutions and troubleshooting advice. Please contact us if you have any additional questions about your Benchmark Abrasives sanding belts or if you're having difficulties with the above troubleshooting steps. Our abrasives experts would be pleased to assist you.