Spiral Bands

Benchmark Abrasives Spiral Bands: Precision Abrasive Solutions for Metalworking, Welding, and Woodworking

Abrasive spiral bands are essential tools in various industries due to their versatility and effectiveness. Whether you're involved in metalworking, welding, or woodworking, these precision abrasives can help you achieve a smooth, high-quality finish on your projects.

What Are Abrasive Spiral Bands?

Abrasive spiral bands are cylindrical sanding tools made from abrasive grains bonded onto a flexible fabric backing. These bands are designed to be mounted on drum sanders or rotary tools utilizing expanding rubber drums, providing a uniform and consistent sanding action. Available in a range of sizes and grits, abrasive spiral bands can handle everything from heavy material removal to fine finishing.

What are Some Benefits of Using Abrasive Spiral Bands?

• VERSATILITY – Ideal for multiple materials including metal, wood, and composites.
• CONSISTENCY – Delivers an even surface finish across the entire workpiece.
• EFFICIENCY – Quickly removes material, saving you time and effort.
• PRECISION – Perfect for detailed work in metalworking, welding, and woodworking.
• DURABILITY – High-quality abrasive materials ensure long-lasting performance.

Spiral Band Applications

Metalworking

In metalworking, abrasive spiral bands are indispensable for tasks such as deburring, polishing, and edge blending. They provide the precision needed to achieve smooth edges and surfaces on metal parts, enhancing their appearance and functionality.

• Deburring: Removes sharp edges and burrs from cut or machined metal parts.
• Polishing: Achieves a bright, smooth finish on metal surfaces.
• Edge Blending: Smooths out transitions and seams on welded joints.

Welding

Welders often use abrasive spiral bands to clean and prepare metal surfaces before welding, as well as to finish welded joints. The bands help in achieving a seamless, polished look, crucial for both structural integrity and aesthetics.

• Surface Preparation: Clean and prepare metal surfaces before welding.
• Post-Weld Clean-Up: Smooth and polish welded joints, eliminating excess weld spatter.

Woodworking

Woodworking professionals benefit significantly from abrasive spiral bands, which are used for tasks such as sanding curved surfaces, smoothing edges, and removing old finishes. These bands are particularly useful for detailed woodworking projects, ensuring a high-quality finish.

• Curved Surface Sanding: Ideal for sanding contours and intricate shapes.
• Edge Smoothing: Ensures smooth and even edges on wooden pieces.
• Finish Removal: Efficiently strips old paint or varnish from wood surfaces.

What to Consider When Choosing the Right Abrasive Spiral Band

When selecting abrasive spiral bands, consider the following factors to ensure optimal performance:

Grit Size: Fine grits (120-320) for finishing; coarse grits (24-100) for material removal.

Abrasive Material:

• Aluminum Oxide: Great for general-purpose sanding on both metal and wood.
• Zirconia: Ideal for aggressive stock removal and longer lifespan.
• Ceramic: Provides superior cutting action on hard metals and heavy-duty applications. Best overall life or product and rate of material removal.
• Surface Conditioning: These discs are made with the highest quality non-woven, open nylon webbing, filled with premium abrasive grains (Equivalent to 3M™ Scotch-Brite™)
• Surface Prep: Made of a non-woven material impregnated with abrasive grains for blending, finishing, and removal of paint and rust. Blends and smooths coated abrasive scratch patterns. 

Material Compatibility: Ensure the abrasive is suitable for the material you're working with.

Band Size: Select the appropriate diameter and width for your tool and project needs.

Maintenance and Safety Tips

To maximize the lifespan and effectiveness of your abrasive spiral bands, follow these maintenance and safety tips:

1. Regular Inspection: Check bands for wear and replace them as needed.  Bands that are torn will catch an edge and rip apart.
2. Proper Storage: Store bands in a dry, cool place to prevent moisture damage.
3. Correct Usage: Use the bands at the recommended speed and pressure to avoid damage.
4. Safety Gear: Always wear appropriate protective gear, including safety glasses and gloves, while using abrasive tools.

Spiral Bands Available at Benchmark Abrasives

Benchmark Abrasives Spiral Bands are small, round tubes of abrasives, coated with aluminum oxide, zirconia, ceramic grains or non-woven material. This tube-shaped spiral band fits inner and outer contours to remove parting lines, imperfections, and burrs. The aluminum oxide abrasive mineral cuts fast and performs well on many substrates. They are perfect for finishing curved or shaped areas and other hard-to-reach places and ideal for grinding in small areas. Each spiral band can fit onto a rubber expander wheel attachment for use with a die grinder or rotary drill. It can be used in a wide variety of applications like woodworking and metalworking including ferrous metals.

• Sizes: 1/2” x 1/2", 1/2" x 1”, 3/4" x 3/4” x 3/4" x 1”, 1” x 1”, 1-1/2” x 1-1/2” and 2” x 2”
• Materials: Aluminum Oxide (AO), Zirconia, Ceramic and Nonwoven Surface Conditioning
• Grits Available: 36, 40, 60, 80, 120, 150, 240, 320, 400, Coarse, Medium and Fine

Tool Compatibility: Electric Powered Rotary Drills, Impact Drivers and other Powered Hand Drills

***Rubber Expanding Drums Sold Separately

For more information, tips, and product recommendations, don’t hesitate to contact our expert team. Happy sanding!

Machine Brands that are compatible with Benchmark Spiral Bands

• Black & Decker®
• Bosch®
• Ridgid®
• Ryobi®
• Porter Cable®
• Mirka®
• Festool®
• Cobalt®
• Dewalt®
• Milwaukee®
• Makita®
• Craftsman®
• Norton®

Safety

Always wear proper PPE to include (but not limited to) safety glasses, hearing protection, respirator, and hand protection.  Keep all guards in place on your machine.