Thread: Sanding Belts

Hi Steve, do you clean the belts. I purchased a stick of type of rubber that brings the belts up like new. I uncloggs the things like magic. I'm at work at present so can't get to the name of it. Will post tonight if you like.

On the subject of belts, I bought some from a local store and they were all different sizes even though they were numbers correctly. None of them fitted my sander, the assistant said, oh yes we had this problem last time with these. DOH, shouldn't you check them then.

This is what yourt on about Stubchain, they work great!

http://www.timbecon.com.au/products/...lts-388_0.aspx

The black belts are for metalwork and not suited to woodwork.
Use the brown (aluminium oxide) belts

I have heard it said you get the same results using the hard black plastic water pipe or electrical conduit as the belt sander cleaner - is this true or a myth?

I have used the black high pressure water pipe and got some result - nothing to rave about though.

Might plunge the few coins and find out I suppose.

Cheers

Yes Gaz that's the stuff. Works like magic

I've found that any polythene type material cleans my sander belt. I now have a stock of old toothbrushes and just run the handles on the belt to clean up . (also the wifes clothes pegs work but dont get caught. )

I've heard old thongs (footwear type) work well too. Havent tried it though.

Arron

Over here in the west the most popular sandpaper (in all shapes & sizes - from orbital pads to 8m stroke sander belts) used by commercial / large quantity users is the "Indasa" brand supplied by Lynfurn Australia. They come in "white" and "red" variety. I prefer the red. They also sell the rubber cleaning stick. Their prices are way better than store bought prices. They probably have a Website & Australia wide offices. Their Perth contact no is (08) 924 02882.

Richard

GUys

Thanks for the replies.. yes I do have the belt cleaner and do use it but eventually you just gotta buy new belts.

Richardwoodhead - thanks for that I will chase them up ... anyone else got a supplier name to suggest ?

THanks all

steve

Richardwoodhead .. should have asked .. but whats the difference between the white and the red ?

thanks

steve

Gee guys I keep having to state the obvious - RED IS FASTER!!


Cheers

Steve,

Some of the Indasa sanding pads (the smaller orbital type pads) come in a "white" or "red" variety. They say the white is for harder woods / tougher sanding and the red for softer / easier sanding. However, my experience, and that of others I know, is that the red's are better. Can't explain it, but there you are. And I work in ALL hard woods (Jarrah, Tuart etc). All the Indasa belt sanding pads etc are "red", so you don't have a choice for those, just the orbital type pads.

I highly recommend their products. And all the local commercial furniture shops use the Indasa line. And buy in bulk from Lynfurn. Lynfurn sell in boxes of - so you need to buy in "bulk", but their prices are way better than hardware prices.

Apart from the rubber stick trick, another way to extend the life of your finer sanding pads (180, 240, 320) is to blow them with an air gun. Whenever I'm fine sanding or sanding back between finishing coats, I regularly air gun my orbital pads. Cleans them right up and I get amazing use out of fine pads that look totally clogged up before I blow them.

Good luck with it,

Richard