Static electricity is worse when humidity is low. Like in the winter anywhere where it gets cold. If you are in a region that never gets very dry you may never experience it.
To prevent it, try grounding yourself to the machine (the frame). Static sparks will be eliminated. During the winter I use a wire with an alligator clip attached to the cuff of a shirt sleeve and the other end grounded to the frame of the sander. Since it is not necessarily touching my skin all the time (because it hurts worse then the sparks to attach an alligator clip directly to your skin) I sometimes still get little sparks that just tickle but the charge doesn't get a chance to build up to those 1" long jumps that could make you jump and jam the knife into eye or something. If you get a real grounding bracelet, like folks use when working with computer chips, and run that to the frame of the machine it will prevent sparks altogether because it will always be touching your skin. Touching the machine all the time will work but is not practical IMO.
Running a ground wire near the belt helps generate static and makes it worse unless you are touching it with the knife or your hand frequently.
Increasing humidity in the room will also prevent static build up when you reach some level like you get during the summer. If you are not getting shocked by walking across a carpeted floor and touching the light switch you probably wont be getting shocked when grinding.
Stropping with leather is worse for generating static then the sanding belts
To prevent it, try grounding yourself to the machine (the frame). Static sparks will be eliminated. During the winter I use a wire with an alligator clip attached to the cuff of a shirt sleeve and the other end grounded to the frame of the sander. Since it is not necessarily touching my skin all the time (because it hurts worse then the sparks to attach an alligator clip directly to your skin) I sometimes still get little sparks that just tickle but the charge doesn't get a chance to build up to those 1" long jumps that could make you jump and jam the knife into eye or something. If you get a real grounding bracelet, like folks use when working with computer chips, and run that to the frame of the machine it will prevent sparks altogether because it will always be touching your skin. Touching the machine all the time will work but is not practical IMO.
Running a ground wire near the belt helps generate static and makes it worse unless you are touching it with the knife or your hand frequently.
Increasing humidity in the room will also prevent static build up when you reach some level like you get during the summer. If you are not getting shocked by walking across a carpeted floor and touching the light switch you probably wont be getting shocked when grinding.
Stropping with leather is worse for generating static then the sanding belts
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Good to know the info is still good. I have particularly enjoyed Jerry Hossom's posts.
