Issue with sanding belts

[Col Defender]

Hi

I use a Sears 2x42 sander and have tried several brands of belts. A frequent problem I have encountered with all the brands is that I grind on a blade and somehow the belt I am using puts a significant single scratch or ding in the blade. This seems particularly true if the belt has previously been used either on bone or wood. It happened this morning again and I got a brand new belt out and got excellent results immediately. I realize I may be answering my own question here but I hope someone who really knows can confirm or correct my supposition. I am thinking that when I have used a belt on bone or wood a small bit of material gets embedded in the belt and then scratches the (not yet heat treated) blade. And therefore I should never use a belt on steel that has previously been used on other materials.

Does this sound correct? Is there a way to clean a belt of foreign material or do I just need to keep my handle belts separate from my steel belts?

Thanks so much for any wisdom/experience.

Steve

 

[Horsewright]

Yes they do make belt cleaners. They are like big pencil erasers. I keep a couple on the bench and use them often. I do use separate belts for blades and handles. I use gators almost exclusively for steel though and don't use em on the handles. Sounds like cross contamination may be your suspect. My first suspiscion would of been nicking it with the edge of the belt but it looks like you ruled that out.

 

[Burl Source]

They are cheap and work well at cleaning crud out of the belts.