Sanding/Grinding Aluminum

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What kind of machine do most of you use to sand/grind aluminum after getting cut to help smooth it out more and rounding off corners and deburing on plated and tubing. Im looking into buying a machine like a belt sander or a disc sander, Im not looking into paying high dollars for one, just something decent that is somewhat medium size. Ive been searching and im not really sure on what kind to get. thanks, brentLast edited by disepyon; 11-03-2007 at 10:51 PM.
Reply:Hey Brent,Personally, I like the 4" belt sander with the 6" disc on the side. They are quite versatile and reasonably priced if you do some homework. The HF units are ok as my brother has one he likes and uses it quite a bit and had no problems with it. Get good sanding belts though as the Chinese ones are crap. Grizzly makes a good one and I have a Craftsman my neighbor gave me for free as he had no use for it.....been a good unit I'll say as I'm not a fan of Sears. Usually for just a simple edge deburring, I use my 4 1/2" grinder with flap disc. Anyway, a combo unit would take care of most sanding needs and allow you to do some odd configurations if needed. Hope that helps a bit....Good luck.....DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Originally Posted by disepyonWhat kind of machine do most of you use to sand/grind aluminum after getting cut to help smooth it out more and rounding off corners and deburing on plated and tubing. Im looking into buying a machine like a belt sander or a disc sander, Im not looking into paying high dollars for one, just something decent that is somewhat medium size. Ive been searching and im not really sure on what kind to get. thanks, brent
Reply:I too use a belt sander with about a 6" disk on it's side for most of what you are talking about. I'll often grind a radius with my abrasive wheel cut off saw. I realize you aren't technically suppose to cut with the side of a cut off wheel but if you use common sense and don't push too hard, it works pretty nicely. The only issue with a belt sander is that the belt will want to load up on you. You then have to smack it with the palm of your hand to knock the material out the sand. You would obviously want to turn the sander off for this procedure. Different grit sanding belts and disks will produce different results. Again common sense and pratice and you'll be fine.Wayne
Reply:Originally Posted by yorkiepapHey Brent,Personally, I like the 4" belt sander with the 6" disc on the side. They are quite versatile and reasonably priced if you do some homework. The HF units are ok as my brother has one he likes and uses it quite a bit and had no problems with it. Get good sanding belts though as the Chinese ones are crap. Grizzly makes a good one and I have a Craftsman my neighbor gave me for free as he had no use for it.....been a good unit I'll say as I'm not a fan of Sears. Usually for just a simple edge deburring, I use my 4 1/2" grinder with flap disc. Anyway, a combo unit would take care of most sanding needs and allow you to do some odd configurations if needed. Hope that helps a bit....Good luck.....Denny
Reply:The disk might be all you think you'll need now but you'd be surprise how handy a belt sander can be.I've used the belt part of mine quite a bit.Wayne
Reply:a belt sander will have more all around worth, thats what we use and the regular sanding belts dont seem to get clogged.I just use flap wheels to deburr pieces, but the scotchbrite pads on a grinder work really well too for aluminum.Have we all gone mad?