Sanding

Stationary Sanders

Stationary sanders generally contains a belt and orbital sander. They can be used to remove small amount of materials from metal, wood etc. to provide a smooth surface or corner. When looking at a belt and disk sander, it is important to distinguish between two types of sander as they each have their own advantage.

Belt Sander[1]:

• Great when handling large and flat surfaces 
• Uses continuous loop of sand paper
• More powerful and removes more materials

Disk Sanders[1]:

• Great when working cornered or angled sections
• Optimal for removing sharp edges
• Uses a sanding disk which spins in circle

In the case of stationary sanders, their main purpose would be the removal of material as palm sanders are more optimal for polishing and refining. When using sanders, operators should be cautious of the material's surface heat especially when working with metal as it could cause injury such as burn.

Palm Sanders 

Palm sanders are hand held devices that focus mainly on removing finish or smoothing a surface. It is a light duty device that lacks the power of removing too much material which makes it optimal for polishing and refining. While operating a palm sander, the operator much ensure to press the device firmly against the surface to avoid it from sliding and causing potential injuries. Before using a palm sander, it is important to select the right sand paper depending on the type of material and the desired finishing. Sand paper are classified by their grit, which different grade provides a different level of detail. 

Reference

[1]UPDweller, BELT SANDER VS ORBITAL SANDER: WHICH IS THE BEST TOOL FOR YOU?, 12-Sept-2019, [Online]. Available: https://updweller.com/tool-reviews/belt-sander-vs-orbital-sander/

[2]University of Waterloo, ENGINEERING STUDENT SHOPS - Equipment, [Online]. Available: https://uwaterloo.ca/engineering-student-shops/equipment

[3]Busy Bee Tools, Sheet Palm Sander, [Online]. Available: https://www.busybeetools.com/products/sheet-palm-sander-1-4in-makita.html

[4]PacCom, Sandpaper Grit Analysis, [Online]. Available: http://www.paccomabrasives.com/uncategorized/sandpaper-grit-analysis/

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