Trend in Wood Sanding: Wide Belts

Wide-belt sanding machines can increase production by sanding a complete surface in a single pass. Today eight manufacturers have developed wide-belt equipment. The coated abrasives industry has been called upon to develop belts for these improved machines. Such belts have been made for the metalworking industry, but for wood, special joints had to be developed because joints any thicker than the belt itself would leave marks on fine finishes. Resin-bonded products had to be used to extend belt life. Improved coating techniques and proper flexing were necessary. Today, wide belts of coated abrasives are increasing production while maintaining quality. Grit sizes commonly used range from 60-E (1/2) through 400-E (10/0). The 5-53 Combination Drum and Belt Sander made by Yates-American Company is the first multiple-head belt sander providing a complete sequence of grits, so that it can size, cut down, and polish in a single operation; the endless-bed feed provides feed rates of 30-90 fpm, with a 103-inch belt ordered in 50- or 55-inch widths to process hardwood, fir plywood, and hardwood dimension stock. The Roll Feed Sander made by Smithway Machine Company is the first over-and-under wide-belt sander, with a 50- by 145-inch belt, designed to sand the top and bottom of repatch fir plywood panels or hardwood panels in one operation. The 50- inch 58 Flatbed Sander made by J. M. Nash Company is a single-belt bottom-side sander designed for cutting down and polishing furniture dimension and plywood stock. The No. 456 Grinding Machine made by Mattison Machine Works is a single over-head-belt machine built for heavy sizing operations. The B-52A Speed Feed Sander made by the Sherrill Machine Company is the original wide-belt machine, a bottom-side sander with a serrated rubber contact roll opposed by twin feed rolls. The Sherrill Company also makes the Model B-38A Belt Sander for a 38- by 93-inch belt, and the Model B-24A Belt Sander for a 24- by 93-inch belt for small stock; these are the lowest priced machines of this type on the market, and many are operating successfully. The Indiana Sander made by the Union Tool Corporation is an overhead platen sander equipped with automatic control of belt tension and tracking, and feed speeds ranging upward to 100 fpm, and a 43- by 111- inch belt; it is designed to process furniture dimension stock. The Oakley Sander made by the Oakley Company is a pinch-roll feed machine with a 24- by 144-inch belt, using an overhead belt unit with a rubber contact roll and manual contra of belt tracking, which is also designed for furniture dimension stock.

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