Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Sand Belt for Home Improvements

Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Sand Belt for Home Improvements

The following contribution is from another author.

Homeowners do home improvement projects to enhance their homes and boost their home’s value as well. The rooms that are commonly remodeled in homes include the kitchen, bathroom, living room and basement. If you want to remodel your home’s floors or surfaces, then you need the right tools and equipment to do the job well. That includes investing in high quality sand belts. It is a long strip of abrasive material which has been specifically designed to fit a powered machine. The long abrasive material moves at high speed and makes it easy to oversee time consuming jobs.

Types of sanding belts

Aluminum oxide

It is the most versatile abrasive material and is suitable for all applications. It is available in grits from 36 up to 400. Moreover, it can be used on both softwood and hardwood, some grades of steel and non-ferrous metals such as aluminum. This is a great one as it offers different options for all deck types. It can be hard for someone to figure out which top quality sand belt will work best for them. But the aluminum oxide can provide those options for those who just want to get started.

Ceramic

Ceramic abrasives are more expensive than their counterparts, but they can be used for a long time without getting worn out. Which means they are a great investment despite the price. In addition, it can be used on non-ferrous and ferrous metals. Ceramic abrasives are popularly used when working with stainless steel, Inconel, and Tool steel. Using this material will keep your deck from looking too worn.

Zirconia

Zirconia abrasive materials are exceptionally tough and 100% synthetic. In addition, they are more durable and sharper than aluminum oxide. Which is great for decks that are a bit more durable. Zirconia abrasive materials are available in grits from 36 to 120. Moreover, they are used with rubber, plastics, fiberglass, and all types of non-ferrous and ferrous metals. Giving a wider variety of options to those with diverse types of decks.

Silicon carbide

This abrasive material is the toughest and sharpest commercially available abrasive material. Moreover, it is ideal for handling very tough jobs quickly. For some people, this chore can be time-consuming. But with silicone it can help you get the job done in record time. It is available in grits from 24 to 600. It is used with plastic, glass, ceramic and rubber.

Grit Values

When an abrasive material has a higher grit value, it can be used to achieve a smoother surface. The highest grit value is 600, and is suitable for final polishing, while a grit value of 40 is suitable for more aggressive and heavier applications. There are several types of categories for these headers. First are extra coarse materials, which have a grit value of 24 to 36 and are suitable for removing the most stubborn varnish and paint. Coarse material is slightly less abrasive, but it is still a heavy-duty material. It has a grit of between 40 to 50 and is suitable for removing normal varnish and paint from surfaces. Medium material has a grit of 60 up to 100 and is ideal for the initial smoothing of uneven and rough wood surfaces. Fine material is a material commonly found in workshops and home toolboxes and has a grit of 120 up to 220. It is very versatile. Extra fine material is ideal for final polishing and final changes. It has a grit of 240 to 600.

Conclusion

It is important to choose an abrasive material depending on the application. Different abrasive materials include aluminum oxide, zirconia, ceramic and silicon carbide. In addition, you should select the abrasive material depending on its grit value. Those with high grit values are used to achieve a smoother surface, while those with low grit values are used for heavier applications. Having this knowledge will help you invest in the sand belt that won’t cause any damage to your deck. With consistent use, you deck will look good as new.

Author

Eric is the creator of At Home in the Future and has been a passionate fan of the future since he was seven. He's a web developer by trade, and serves as the Director of Communication and Technology for a large church in Nashville, TN (where he and his family are building a high tech home in the woods).

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