Official Luthiers Forum!
http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/

Cleaning belt sander belts after heavy use
http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=52929		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Michael Lloyd [ Wed Feb 12, 2020 7:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Cleaning belt sander belts after heavy use
After heavy use on the belt sander, especially with high resin woods, I'd use Easy-Off to soak the loose belt then rinse it in a bucket of warm water. It was always a messy job to do and clean-up.

So I decided to give it some thought for a better way and came up with this;

Using a piece of 4 1/2" PVC piping about 24" in length and 2 adjustable bands (a second modification). I now wrap the belts around the PVC pipe, spray with Easy-Off, let sit as directed then rinse with warm water and let dry.

No more messy cleaning and washing. :)

Attachment:
Belt on PVC_DSC_8120.jpg

Attachment:
Belt sprayed with Easy-Off_DSC_8121.jpg

Attachment:
Belt rinsed and left to dry_DSC_8123.jpg
Author:  Chris Pile [ Wed Feb 12, 2020 8:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cleaning belt sander belts after heavy use
Old tennis shoes work well, as well as natural rubber blocks available at suppliers.
Author:  Ed Haney [ Wed Feb 12, 2020 8:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cleaning belt sander belts after heavy use
Nice tip, Michael. I've been tossing my belts at that stage. Thanks to you I now know a way to salvage them, if I'm not to lazy.
Author:  meddlingfool [ Wed Feb 12, 2020 9:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cleaning belt sander belts after heavy use
Hmm....
Author:  Hans Mattes [ Wed Feb 12, 2020 10:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cleaning belt sander belts after heavy use
Though I generally avoid recommending Harbor Freight products, they sell a "Sanding Belt Cleaner" that's inexpensive ($8.50) and really works. It's a block of crepe rubber (1.5" x 1.5" x 8"). I rub it across my still running belt or drum sander after I'm finished sanding and the paper comes remarkably clean -- even with oily woods or glue residue.
Author:  whiskywill [ Thu Feb 13, 2020 11:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cleaning belt sander belts after heavy use
Hans Mattes wrote:
Though I generally avoid recommending Harbor Freight products, they sell a "Sanding Belt Cleaner" that's inexpensive ($8.50) and really works. It's a block of crepe rubber (1.5" x 1.5" x 8"). I rub it across my still running belt or drum sander after I'm finished sanding and the paper comes remarkably clean -- even with oily woods or glue residue.


You can also use old silicone sealant which has set inside the tube. Remove the tube first, of course.
Author:  Ken Lewis [ Thu Feb 13, 2020 11:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cleaning belt sander belts after heavy use
You can also use old silicone sealant which has set
inside the tube. Remove the tube first, of course.

I'd be concerned about silicone, even cured stuff, creating problems for finishing
on anything that gets sanded by said sanding belt.
Curious as to what everyone else thinks...
Author:  Mike OMelia [ Thu Feb 13, 2020 6:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cleaning belt sander belts after heavy use
I have never seen anything that will take African Blackwood or Cocobolo off of sand paper. Post videos of ur stuff doing it. I use easy off. When I need aggressive sanding on those woods, I use 36 grit. Never clogs. Trick is knowing when to stop and switch to 80 grit.
Author:  Pat Foster [ Fri Feb 14, 2020 6:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cleaning belt sander belts after heavy use
Chris Pile wrote:
Old tennis shoes work well, as well as natural rubber blocks available at suppliers.
m

Remember Hush Puppies? They work too. They had crepe soles.
Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC - 5 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/