BELT SANDER

The big daddy of the sanding family, the belt sander can save you loads of time on your DIY projects, but there are a few tricks to using this powerful machine.

Belt basics

When buying sanding belts, take the old one with you so you get the right length and width. When fi ing, the direction of the arrows on the belt should match those on the tool. belt alignment Check if a new belt is properly aligned by turning it on and watching that the belt stays centred on the rollers. If it tracks to either side, adjust it by turning the knob on the side of the machine near the front roller. trigger happy Before plugging in the sander, make sure the starting trigger is not locked in the ‘On’ position. This will send it running away from you, possibly damaging something in your shed or the tool itself. bench block

To secure the piece you’re working on while keeping the surface clear, nail a thin block to your bench, bu the piece into it and sand away from the block. The belt’s rotating action will force the piece into the block, holding it as you go.