Belt sanders for wood: features and subtleties of operation

When decorating a country house, a summer residence or a bathhouse, a wood sander becomes a truly indispensable tool. It can do almost anything - remove a layer of wood, sand a planed board, remove a layer of old paintwork, and even adjust parts along the cut line.

Grinding machines represent a separate category of power tools that are in demand when processing surfaces of a wide variety of materials. They are indispensable for roughing as well as sanding and interact with substrates such as solid wood, glass, natural stone, as well as plastic and metal.

Belt grinders are considered one of the most popular types of grinders. Such installations are used for continuous grinding of very large surfaces. Due to the high efficiency and power characteristics with the help of such a tool, it is possible to successfully clean rather rough bases, in particular, non-planed boards, compacted plastics and rusted metal products, but such devices are unsuitable for polishing.

Belt sanders are rather large, they are equipped with a weighted lower platform, along which sandpaper of varying grain size moves. During work, the operator makes almost no effort, his only task is to maintain a uniform movement of the machine over the surface to be treated. A delay in one place is extremely undesirable, since this may cause a depression that will ruin the entire surface.

The package includes two additional handles, so that the tool can work in a wide variety of conditions. The problem of cleaning dust generated during work can be solved in two main ways - either it is collected in a special dust collector located on the body of the machine, or a powerful vacuum cleaner is connected to the installation, which quickly removes all the flying out sawdust as they are formed.

In addition to the traditional mode of operation, LShM is often used together with a specialized frame. It is necessary to protect the workpieces being processed from all kinds of damage. In addition, a stand is often mounted that holds the tool in a static position. Such a device is a kind of rigid vice. They fix the machine upside down so that the sandpaper is placed vertically or with the paper facing up. In this position, the sander can be used to sharpen dull cutting tools, as well as skates and golf clubs.

Thanks to the sander you can perform many different types of work:

• process rough coatings;
• cut the material exactly according to the markup;
• level the surface, grind and polish it;
• carry out a delicate finish;
• give the required shape, including rounded.

The most modern models have a number of additional options.

• The possibilities of a stationary installation allow it to be used for sharpening flat tools and other cutting surfaces.However, in this case, you must work extremely carefully, trying not to come into contact with the moving belt.
• Grinding depth control - this function is desirable for those who are just starting to get acquainted with the grinder. There is a so-called "bounding box" system that controls the cutting parameters.
• Ability to sand close to perpendicular surfaces - these models have flat side parts or additional rollers that allow you to completely forget about the "dead zone". More precisely, it will still remain, but it will be only a couple of millimeters.

Belt sanders are available in two versions. The first type is a LSM made in the form of a file. Such models have a linear thin working surface, so that the machine can wade even into hard-to-reach areas and narrow crevices. The second type is brush sander, characterized by the fact that instead of abrasive sandpaper, they use brushes made of a variety of materials - from fairly soft woolen to hard metal. Brush belts are optimal for cleaning surfaces from corrosion, applying texture to wood blanks and other tasks.

When choosing LMB you need to take into account several fundamental parameters:

• the power of the installation - the higher it is, the more efficiently the grinder works;
• machine speed;
• parameters of the sanding belt, its abrasiveness and dimensions;
• the possibility of warranty service;
• availability of spare parts for free sale;
• installation weight;
• the principle of nutrition;
• availability of additional options.

In conclusion, we will give a small overview of the most popular manual LShM models.

This is one of the most popular model in the segment of grinding machines. The power of the device is 650 W at a belt speed of 270 m / min. The parameters of the sanding belt are 457x76 mm, and the weight of the device is 2.7 kg. Due to the presence of flat sides of the machine, surfaces can be processed almost to the very edge, while there is a convenient option for automatically leveling the consumable. The resulting dust is extracted as it emerges with an innovative built-in fan. The system is equipped with clamps to hold the LSM in a static position and to adjust the speed, which makes it possible to sand a wide variety of surfaces.

Power consumption is 900 W, belt speed is 250 m / min, belt dimensions are 533x76 mm, unit weight is 3.2 kg.

The model has many advantages:

• can be used for sharpening joinery and carpentry tools;
• has a system for simplified replacement of sanding belts;
• assumes a simplified adjustment of the guide roller in the place where the belt is changed;
• equipped with a reservoir for collecting sawdust and wood dust;

High quality grinder with adjustable shaft speed. It has a special champion, the wiring is protected by reinforced insulation, and the trigger contains protection against accidental start-up - these options make the operation of the LShM safer and reduce the risk of injury to the operator to almost zero. The device is powered by 220 V AC, so it can be used in a domestic environment.

A budgetary, but at the same time reliable sander made in China. This product is backed by a five-year warranty.The set, in addition to the device itself, also includes three types of tapes and a device for collecting emitted dust. The position is adjusted with a centering screw, which can take three different positions during operation. A speed switch is located directly near the switch; it is possible to set one of 6 speed modes.

One of the best models of LShM, which is characterized by ease of use and affordable price. The tool is quite reliable and practical - the tape does not slip during operation, and the motor power of 1 kW is more than enough for finishing a wide variety of surfaces. The belt speed varies from 120 to 360 m / min. The set with the unit includes 2 carbon brushes, as well as a lever for the most comfortable grip. The tool weight is 3.6 kg, the belt width parameter is 76 mm. Such a tool is optimal for frequent use, but it should be borne in mind that the installation tends to overheat quickly, therefore, during operation, you should arrange small breaks to prevent damage to the working mechanism. The travel speed is 300 m / min.

It's a pretty interesting tool with a futuristic design. However, the unusual appearance is not the only advantage of the unit. The power is 650 watts. This parameter is sufficient for performing various housework, but such a device is unsuitable for solving industrial problems. The weight is 2.9 kg, the tape is automatically centered when the device is turned on. The speed is 300 m / min, which is enough for domestic use.

This is one of the best models and has some pretty impressive functionality. Visually, such a tool resembles a vacuum cleaner without a hose with an ergonomic rubberized handle. The clipper perfectly captures all escaping dust, so the surface remains clean and the operator's respiratory organs are not contaminated. The weight of the installation is just over 3.5 kg, the power is 720 W, and the belt width is 75 cm. The maximum travel speed is 150 m / m.

For information on how to use a belt sander for wood, see the next video.