Belt Sander - wood or metal?

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Hey everyone.I just started looking around at bench belt sanders to square and clean my cuts.  Can you use any belt sander for metal?  I know a lot are advertised for wood.  I read somewhere that silicone carbide belts are for metal and aluminum oxide is for wood.  Is that the difference, or is there some other important feature I'm not aware of and need to look for?Thanks!
Reply:I'm sure certain belts work better but as far as the sander it shouldn't matter.  Just make sure you get one big enough to do what you want.DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:The machine doesn't care what it sands/grinds.  You can get all kinds of different  belts but just be sure to get a machine that takes a common sized belt.  I have even seen an attachment that goes on one side of a bench grinder.
Reply:I use a belt sander or a linisher as there called on this side of the pond.It is the type that you do indeed fit to the side of a bench grinder.While it is superb at:polished finish on partsradiusing cornerstrimming out of square cuts on most types of metal, sanding timber is not its best application.Belt speed is just too fast to prevent burning on many timbers. End grain and timbers with a high resin content especially so.By contrast a dedicated timber belt sander unit ALA Jet  gives very  few problems on timber due to the slower belt travel speed.I hope this helps youGrahame
Reply:Do some math on the machine you're looking at. A wood sander with a slow belt speed won't do real well on steel, a high speed sander like you need for steel will burn wood. A belt speed around 5000 feet per minute is what you want for steel along with belts with grit that works well on steel.
Reply:You are right on the belts being better for metal or wood.   I have a 4" Delta and I've found that it is marginal at best for metal as it just dosen't really have the HP for industrial use.  Worked fine for my wood projects though.   My next one will be a 6" with more power.  One thing to remember though is to let the belt do the work and don't burn it up bearing down on it.  Change grits and keep the work moving, not just planted in one place.  I have a wide selection of belt grits, and they are very easy to change.Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:Belt sanders or linishers are great you'll love it and wonder how you ever lived without it.But a word of warning..buy the most powerful motor that your budget will allow.They are notorious for burning out bench grinders when put on as a accessory. Wood or timber orientated wont matter too much as they  spin similar speed.Use different belts for different applications.Ours is used everyday there are even scotch brite belts for aluminium...even better than stainless brushing.
Reply:Check out these vids on the KMG belt grinder."If you live in Sacramento you have seen my work."
Reply:I have had one of these Jet sanders in the shop for almost ten years now-http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=60005A horse and a half, and we have used it daily in a 3 man shop, mostly on stainless, for ten years, no problems.With the right sandpaper, you can just feed a piece of 3/8" round into it till there is nothing left.Not cheap, but worth it, in my mind. Mine was made in Taiwan, not China- I dont know if this is still true, and if they are chinese now, they may not be as good, but I sure like mine.I find I use the disc a lot more than the belt- it cuts more aggressively.I use CS411 alumina zirconia blue sandpaper from klingspor for both the belts and discs, 50 grit, and it lasts forever.
Reply:Nice Jet Ries.  Now that's what I'm talking about, don't waste your $$$$ on a 4" belt/6" disk model.Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:That sander is pretty slick, but by the time you motorize it and get the jigs, its like 2 grand.Various GrindersVictor Journeyman torch200cf Acet. 250cf oxygenLincoln 175 plus/alpha2 gunLincoln v205t tigLincoln 350mpEsab 650 plasmaWhen you can get up in the morning, Its a good day.Live each day like its your last.
Reply:Hey thanks for all of the great responses.I like that Jet!  I'd have to save for that one.  But even then I'd have a hard time parting with a grand $$.  I might start out with one of these:http://www.palmgren.com/p-sm-benchto...scsanders.htmlI can get the 1hp 6"belt x 9"disc in Phoenix for $283 until mid February.Thanks again everyone!
Reply:Originally Posted by DoolittleThat sander is pretty slick, but by the time you motorize it and get the jigs, its like 2 grand.