22-06-2011, 09:55 PM
True, the belts don't need dressing, but they do need cleaning from time to time if used for sanding wood. Cleaning sticks are available for this and do the job in an instant on belt and disc sanders. They're made of 'rubbery' material, and just need to be touched on the belt or disc from side to side for a few seconds, then the belt or disc comes up like new. You don't have to fob out for cleaning sticks - surprisingly perhaps, a black bin liner screwed up tightly in the hand will achieve the same effect. (It will doubtless have been a Yorkshireman who discovered that!)
Most sanding belts sold by the likes of Screwfix and Machine Mart tend to be only 60 grit and 120 grit. 60 is ferocious, and even 120 is still quite coarse, often requiring further hand finishing with 180 and 240, depending on the item being sanded. Always best to move items from side to side so as not to leave deep lengthwise grooves in the wood. Same when using a disc sander or sanding anything on the lathe - the sandpaper must be moved all the time or score marks will be difficult to remove.
David.
Most sanding belts sold by the likes of Screwfix and Machine Mart tend to be only 60 grit and 120 grit. 60 is ferocious, and even 120 is still quite coarse, often requiring further hand finishing with 180 and 240, depending on the item being sanded. Always best to move items from side to side so as not to leave deep lengthwise grooves in the wood. Same when using a disc sander or sanding anything on the lathe - the sandpaper must be moved all the time or score marks will be difficult to remove.
David.
