• Home
  • DIY
    • Projects and advice
      • Bathroom
      • Building, brickwork and masonry
      • Ceilings
      • Cleaning
      • Concrete work
      • Damp, rot and infestation
      • Drains
      • Electrical
      • Fireplaces
      • Floors
      • Garden
      • Heating
      • Insulation
      • Kitchen
      • Lighting
      • Lofts
      • Painting and decorating
      • Plasterwork
      • Plumbing
      • Roof and guttering
      • Safety
      • Security
      • Tiling
      • Walls
      • Windows
      • Woodwork
    • Glossary
    • Know your tools
    • Know your materials
  • Cost guides
  • News
Facebook Twitter Instagram
lets-do-diy.com
  • Home
  • DIY
    • Projects and advice
      • Bathroom
      • Building, brickwork and masonry
      • Ceilings
      • Cleaning
      • Concrete work
      • Damp, rot and infestation
      • Drains
      • Electrical
      • Fireplaces
      • Floors
      • Garden
      • Heating
      • Insulation
      • Kitchen
      • Lighting
      • Lofts
      • Painting and decorating
      • Plasterwork
      • Plumbing
      • Roof and guttering
      • Safety
      • Security
      • Tiling
      • Walls
      • Windows
      • Woodwork
    • Glossary
    • Know your tools
    • Know your materials
  • Cost guides
  • News
lets-do-diy.com
You are at:Home»Projects and advice»How to use a belt sander

How to use a belt sander

Summary: Learn how to use a belt sander, using a belt sander safely.


A belt sander is a motor driven machine that runs a belt of sandpaper, which powerfully removes the surface of a piece of timber. This kind of sander makes light work of finishing wood surfaces as it is fast and powerful.

Using a belt sander

An excellent tool for finishing large timber surfaces, the belt sander can be used for removing lots of wood or for more delicate finishing jobs. The type of sandpaper you use will dictate the effectiveness of the sander.

  • Start by remembering that the sander should be used with both hands when in operation. Due to the rolling motion of the belt, the sander will pull away from you, so full control is required.
  • Before you start the machine, lift it off the surface. Turn the switch on and pull the trigger to start the sander.
  • Slowly lower the sander onto the timber and move it along the surface in the direction of the grain. You should keep the sander gently moving at all times.
  • Allow the weight of the sander to be the only downward pressure and simply guide it to the places you want it to go. It is important for the quality of the finish that you sand as evenly as possible, so try and work on each part of the timber the same amount.
  • Use a finer grade of sandpaper to complete the job if there are scratch marks from a more coarse paper.
  • Lift the belt sander away from the surface before turning off.
  • When you want to change the sandpaper (for a different grade paper or due to wear), you will need to know how this is done on your particular sander. Each brand and model has slightly different methods, though all are simple and similar. Check the manufacturers’ instructions if you are unsure.
  • To remove the sandpaper you need to move the rollers closer together to loosen the paper so it can be taken out. This can be done pressing a release lever or by applying pressure to the rollers. Fitting the new paper is done simply by feeding it onto the rollers in the direction stated on the inside of the sandpaper. Finally release the roller back into their original position and you are ready to go.

Related projects

  • Building a metal framed stud wall
  • Building a stud partition wall
  • Creating an arch
  • Closing a fireplace
  • Fitting a door frame
  • Fitting a door stop

Related cost guides

  • Average cost to build a garage
  • Average cost of a hot tub
  • Average cost to install a shower
  • Average window cleaning cost
  • Average cost of double glazing
  • Average cost of a sash window
  • Average cost to tile a bathroom

Recent Comments
  • Anonymous on Average air source heat pump cost (2022)
  • Reggie on Prepare your home for moth season
Latest News
0

Design trends for 2022 and 2023

0

Product Review: Handsaws

0

Product Review: Claw hammers

1

Prepare your home for moth season

Popular Guides

Average cost of skip hire

Average cost of landscaping

Average cost of plastering

Average roof replacement cost

Popular Projects

Fix a leaking radiator valve

Driveway and patio drainage

How to use a belt sander

Unblock a toilet

DIY Categories
Bathroom
Building, brickwork and masonry
Ceilings
Cleaning
Concrete work
Damp, rot and infestation
Drains
Electrical
Fireplaces
Floors
Garden
Heating
Insulation
Kitchen
Lighting
Lofts
Painting and decorating
Plasterwork
Plumbing
Roof and guttering
Safety
Security
Tiling
Walls
Windows
Woodwork

© 2022 lets do diy ltd
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact us

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT