2" x 72" Sanding Belts

Benchmark Abrasives 2” x 72” Sanding Belts

Benchmark Abrasives carries a wide range of sanding belts from large to small.

Machine Brands that are compatible with Benchmark 2” x 72” Sanding Belts

There are many different machines that can handle 2” x 72” sanding belts.  We’ve narrowed down a few options, however there are many more on the market:

• Kalamazoo® 3SM 2" x 72" Belt Sander: Known for its durability and efficiency, this sander is specifically designed for 2" x 72" belts, making it ideal for metalworking, woodworking, and knife making.
• Grizzly® G1015 Knife Belt Sander/Buffer: Originally designed for knife making, this machine handles 2" x 72" belts and is versatile enough for both detailed and general sanding tasks.
• Jet® J-4103 2"x72" Square Wheel Belt Grinder: This robust sander is designed for 2" x 72" belts and features a square wheel, offering versatility for various grinding and sanding tasks.
• Esteem Grinders® Esteem Belt Grinder: A professional-grade machine designed for 2" x 72" belts, commonly used by knife makers and metalworkers for its precision and reliability.
• Multitool USA® Belt Grinder Attachment (MT482): This attachment converts your existing bench grinder into a versatile sanding machine that can handle 2" x 72" belts.
• KMG Industrial® Belt Grinder: A durable and powerful machine designed for professional use, accommodating 2" x 72" belts, popular among knife makers and metalworkers.
• VASHTO® 2" x 72" Belt Grinder: Known for its high quality, this customizable grinder is suitable for 2" x 72" belts and is popular in the knife-making community.
• TR Maker® 2" x 72" Belt Grinder/Sander: Another popular model in the knife-making community, designed to handle 2" x 72" belts with precision and efficiency.
• Burr King® 960-272 Knifemaker Belt Grinder: A specialized grinder for knife makers, this machine handles 2" x 72" belts and is known for its quality and reliability.
• Beaumont Metal Works® KMG Belt Grinder: Highly customizable and designed for professional use, it supports 2” x 72” belts and is a favorite among serious metalworkers and knife makers.

When choosing a machine, always confirm with the manufacturer or product specifications that it supports the exact belt size you need. Also, consider that some machines might require additional accessories or modifications to perfectly fit less common belt sizes.

2” x 72”Sanding Belts Available at Benchmark Abrasives

• Width: 2”
• Length: 72”
• Grits: 24, 36, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 120, 150, 180, 220, 240, 320, 400, Coarse, Medium and Fine
• Grain Options: Aluminum Oxide, Zirconia, Ceramic and Surface Conditioning
• Backing: X-weight polycotton cloth
• Joint: Butt joint
• Coat: Closed Coat

Tool Compatibility: Belt & Disc Sander Combination machines, Benchstand Grinders, Portable Belt Sanders, Backstand Belt Grinders, 2” x 72” belt sanders and Knife Belt Sanders

What’s the Difference Between AO, Zirconia, Ceramic and Nonwoven?

Benchmark stocks four different grain options in most of our stocked sizes; Aluminum Oxide, Zirconia, Ceramic and Surface Conditioning.

Aluminum Oxide (AO) – Aluminum Oxide is the most commonly used grain at an economical price point.  Great for use on ferrous metals, composite materials, wood, plastics, and other metals. It features good abrasion resistance, anti-static and anti-clogging.

Zirconia – Zirconia grains have a self-sharpening property and stand up to higher heat and pressure than Aluminum Oxide (A/O), thus making Zirconia the go-to option, providing excellent stock removal that gives you more bang for your buck.  They are designed for use on ferrous metals, composite materials, wood, plastics, and other metals.

Ceramic – Ceramic grains micro fracture to allow a continuous supply of the sharpest cutting edges. It's also self-cooling which makes it great for stainless steel and high alloy materials.  The lower grits hog up metal for lightning-fast stock removal and the longest cutting life available.  They are the best option for mild and carbon steel, stainless, cobalt, chrome, Inconel, and titanium applications.

Surface Conditioning – Suitable for a multitude of applications, especially when finishing, blending, removing color from your work surface and light deburring applications.  The fiber and resin are also waterproof so these belts can be used both in wet or dry applications.

What Grit Should I Be Using?

Grit size determines the aggressiveness of the sanding belt.  The smaller the number the more aggressive the grain is, the larger the number the less aggressive it is.  Grits 24-40 are generally considered aggressive material removers, 60-80 grits are for medium material removal and grits 120+ are all in the light material removal/finishing category. 

If you are unfamiliar with the difference in each grits aggressiveness, we recommend grabbing a scrap piece of metal and a few different grits to start off with.  Start with the smaller more aggressive grit and work your way up the grit scale to get a good feel for how they each perform.  Once you’ve done that you’ll be ready for any project you pick.

My Sanding Belt Is Clogged And Won’t Sand Anymore, Is It Trash?

Not necessarily.  Sanding Belts, like all other coated abrasives, are subject to loading up.  This is more prevalent when sanding softer materials like woods or non-ferrous metals like aluminum.  You can extend the useful life of your abrasive belt by using one or both of our sanding accessories; belt butter and our cleaning stick

Belt Butter – a life extending grease that helps to prevent coated abrasives from loading up.  Apply some of the belt butter before you get your grind on and say good riddance to the material load up.

Cleaning Stick – an industrial rubber eraser that removes the material loaded up on any sanding disc or sanding belt.  Bring the cleaning stick to the belt while it is running and it will knock out the material, leaving you with a renewed belt and added life.

I Can’t Find What I Need!

Don’t stress…we’ve got you covered.  Benchmark Abrasives can custom make just about any belt you need, from small belts to wide belts, AO grains to Surface Conditioning, we can do it all.  If you can’t find the size or grit you need, head back to the home page and click the Custom Belt Link, fill out your specs and we’ll get you a quote.  Its that easy!