A belt sander is multi use tools. It is commonly used for trimming to a scribed line, sanding very rough surfaces, leveling surfaces (like a replacement board in a hardwood floor) and freehand rounding and shaping. Because a belt sander has a lot of power and can handle coarse grits, it excels at the rapid removal of wood. Also, unlike the orbital and vibrating sander, the belt sander’s action is linear, so even with coarse grits you can sand with the grain and get a good-looking result.

Our belt sander excels at the rapid removal of wood, making it the best hand held power tool for leveling and smoothing rough boards.

Belt Sander Tips

Start at an angle to the grain for aggressive leveling, then finish with the grain. Eighty-grit is good for starting, then switch to 120-grit.

When smoothing flat boards, always sand parallel with the wood grain to avoid scratches, and keep the sander moving at all times so you don’t sand a depression. A belt sander is also ideal for smoothing the narrow edges of boards. However, it’s best to clamp several boards together and sand all the edges at the same time. This technique, known as gang sanding, not only saves time but also produces better results because you’re not trying to balance the wide sanding belt on the narrow edge of a single board.

A belt sander is also great for removing an old finish, such as paint, varnish, or stain. Always start with a coarse 60-grit belt and work your way progressively through finer and finer grits until you reach the desired level of smoothness. (The larger the number, the finer the grit. So use progressively higher numbers.) Again, sand parallel with the wood grain and don’t press down too hard or you’ll clog up the abrasive belt. Let the weight of the tool provide the right amount of pressure.

To prevent gouges, use clean, new belts, avoid grits finer than 120, and keep the plate under the belt (the platen) clean and free of dust buildup.