Edge Sander - What Grit?? What abrasive? Where?

[Jim Eller]

I have a 6" x 89" Jet oscillating edge sander on order and would like to purchase some spare belts in advance.

The question is, what is the most used grit for this type of machine? Some thing for general use on fairly small hardwood projects that doesn't burn and clog all the time.

Also, what is the preferred type of abrasive and is there any source for these that is better than the other?

Thanks,
JimE

[Mike Hollingsworth]

you'll use 100 more than any other.
great tool!

[Max Neu]

I use 120 for everything, if you go much finer, you will burn your end grains too easily.

[M Toupin]

Agreed, 100-120 is the sweet spot between a reasonable finish and not burning.

Supergrit has 6X89-120 belts on sale now for $7 each http://www.supergrit.com/products/products_belts-aluminumoxide.asp

Mike

[Jim Eller]

What type of abrasive works the best? Just regular aluminum oxide?

Mike - Do you have this unit??

[M Toupin]

Aluminum Oxide is a good all around woodworking abrasive, reasonably priced and good longevity. Open coat is best on belt and drum sanders as it clogs a lot less than closed coat which reduces the possibility of burning.

Mike

[Cary Falk]

I have the same sander. I use mostly 120 grit. I get it from Industrial Abrasive.

[mreza Salav]

I use 80 for fast stock removal and 120 for finer finish.

[Mike Hollingsworth]

What type of abrasive works the best? Just regular aluminum oxide?

Mike - Do you have this unit??

AO is fine
I've had one forever though I upgraded to an oscillator a while back.

[glenn bradley]

Same machine. Sure wish it went slower ;-). I keep more 60, 80 and 100 than others due to the high speed but, my belts hang right nearby and I have them all the way to 400. As grits get finer (above 220) or wood choices become more burn prone (cherry, hard maple, some mahogany's) the machine becomes more of a shaping device than a smoothing device. I really enjoy the machine and would be hard pressed to get along without it. Klingspor has sales occasionally but, even at the regular price their abrasives give me so much life they seem appropriately priced. Table mechanism could be more refined for the price. I have an add-on table with an adjustable fence for sanding awkward sized pieces. It goes on and off easily with the supplied t-nuts but, mostly stays on.

[ed vitanovec]

I too would say 100 & 120. I ordered my belts from Woodworkers supply.

[mreza Salav]

Same machine. Sure wish it went slower ;-). I keep more 60, 80 and 100 than others due to the high speed but, my belts hang right nearby and I have them all the way to 400. As grits get finer (above 220) or wood choices become more burn prone (cherry, hard maple, some mahogany's) the machine becomes more of a shaping device than a smoothing device. I really enjoy the machine and would be hard pressed to get along without it.

My machine is 3-phase and I run it with a VFD which gives me the option to slow it down :-)

[J.R. Rutter]

Another vote for 120. I have mine made by SIA via one of their distributors: Al oxide on paper. I have a dual speed sander and we run on low speed, though I'm not sure exactly what those speeds are...

[Jim Eller]

Thanks y'all.

It looks like 100-120 grit is where to start.

Of those owning the Jet, are there any real negatives on the machine???? I can still cancel :-)

My main concern is the way it oscillates. I hope it's built to last.

Is there any way to get these things to a reduced speed?? For the life of me, I can't believe why EVERY sander, regardless of size doesn't have a variable speed.

JimE
JimE

[Cary Falk]

I was really disappointed with the grind on the table. It is pretty rough. It doesn't hurt anything but not near as nice as my Grizzly stuff. You need a third hand to raise and lower the table but I made a hand wheel for that.

[Rick Fisher]

I use 120 grit. When I first got into stationary sanding machines I thought the finer the better.. Fine belts burn and don't last .. Also, 120 on an edge sander or a Wide belt, leaves a better finish than when sanded with a hand sander.

No idea if that is true..lol .. But its the way it seems to me ..

Edge sanders are awesome tools. Mine only has one speed, but I still love it :) Use it more than I would ever have imagined.

[Max Neu]

I have a powermatic, and I ended up using some spray on adhesive to apply a piece of plastic laminate to the table. It always seemed to leave marks on the work piece before, but the laminate eliminated those issues.

[glenn bradley]

My machine is 3-phase and I run it with a VFD which gives me the option to slow it down :-)

Ah . . . jealousy :)

[Jim Eller]

I have a powermatic, and I ended up using some spray on adhesive to apply a piece of plastic laminate to the table. It always seemed to leave marks on the work piece before, but the laminate eliminated those issues.

Thanks for the tip Max.

Still wondering, is there any way to slow these things down?

Thanks,

JimE

[Jim Andrew]

These sanders are pretty simply made, mine does not oscillate, just has a flat belt pulley on the motor and a flat idler on the other end and the belt runs between the two, so there is no mechanism where you can change the speed of the machine. I use 120 grit belts, use the sander to sand the edges of doors, face frames etc. The radius end makes a nice place to sand curves. Once you have had an edge sander, you don't want to do without one.