Belt sanders are unparalleled in their ability to shape and smooth wood or other materials. However, the key to success with this power tool is using the correct abrasive.
Understanding how each level of grit functions and how it will interact with your materials will get you to your desired finish and minimise potential mishaps and damages.
This straightforward guide will walk you through all you need to know about sanding belt grits and significantly improve your efficiency when working with your belt sander.Â
What are sanding belt grits?
Sanding belts are categorised according to their grit number.Â
The grit number refers to the approximate number of particles in each square inch of the paper – the higher the number, the more densely packed and finer the particles are.
A controlled, professional finish usually requires the skilled use of a combination of different grit levels. Start with a low, coarse grit before working your way through to high, extra fine grit to remove and refine any scuffs and scratches.
Adkwik offers a variety of grits for each sanding belt, so you can completely customise the finish. For example, the classic Mirka Hiolit-X 100 x 610 Portable Sanding Belts are available from 40 to 240 grit and are sold in convenient packs of 10.Â
Levels of sanding grit:
Take a closer look at the types of sanding grits and what to expect from each abrasive.
- 24-36 grit: Extra Coarse
- 40 grit: Coarse
- 80 grit: Medium
- 100 grit: Medium
- 120 grit: Fine
- 220 grit: Fine
- 440 grit: Extra Fine
Grit | Description | Common Applications |
Extra Coarse (24-36 grit) | Heavy duty and has a rapid material removal rate. |
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Coarse (40 grit) | Tough and heavy-duty. |
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Medium (80 and 100 grit) | Produces a medium to coarse surface texture after sanding. |
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Fine (120 and 220 grit) | Highly versatile, adaptable and most common grit available. |
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Extra Fine (440 grit) | Extremely fine grit for light sanding. |
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Different sanding belt materials
As well as taking note of the grit number, pay attention to the sanding belt material.Â
There are four main abrasive grains, some formed from natural minerals, and others made synthetically. Each material has its unique qualities, listed below.
Aluminium Oxide Sanding Belts
Arguably the most popular and versatile sanding belts on the market, aluminium oxide sanding belts are affordable, durable and can tackle most materials and surfaces, including wood, metal and general-purpose sanding.
Zirconia Sanding Belts
Zirconia belts are tough and self-sharpening; they work well for heavy grinding, such as sanding hardwood and preparing metal.
Ceramic Sanding BeltsÂ
Ceramic belts are also self-sharpening and break down surfaces in a controlled manner. Additionally, they’re cool grinding, which is vital when working with heat-sensitive materials. They’re valuable for metalwork tasks, including finishing aluminium castings and stainless steel.
Silicon Carbide Sanding Belts
Silicon Carbide is a sharp, synthetic grain. It’s commonly used in wet sanding applications with many materials such as metal, plastic, hardwoods and softwoods.
Choosing a sanding belt
Using the information above, you should be able to nail the desired finish you are seeking.Â
Our final advice for selecting a sanding belt is to double-check that the sanding belt you’re considering is compatible with your appliance. There are numerous tools on the market, so make sure that the width and length of your chosen belt align with your specific model.Â
Pick from our selection of sanding belts or browse our entire collection of abrasives for further sanding options.
For additional details or any technical enquiries, please contact us. Our skilled team is well-versed in all there is to know about abrasives and is always happy to help.