Stationary Sander Introduction

This is the content required for an introduction to our stationary sanders:

reading this does NOT replace the mandatory session with a tutor! It will make it a lot quicker though ;-)

If you need this introduction, please reach out to the following tutors: Sebastian, Lukas, Luzian, Johannes, Patrick, Jakob K., Utis, Raphael

Also make sure to read the machines's manual (Holzmann BT 203-914: located in the wooden box below the sander).

Safety

Personal protection:

A dust mask is also necessary for most materials - see our page on dust for some harmful examples!

Dangers	Precautions
Exposed & rapidly spinning sanding media (disc, belt or sleeve): draw-in and cutting risk will keep spinning for a few seconds after the machine is turned off both disc and belt always spin at the same time on combination machines like the Holzmann BT 203-914 cuts can easily get infected due to particles that are rubbed in do not reach around an exposed belt or spindle	stay clear of the sandpaper's edges gloves: make an informed decision tight and cut resistant gloves are allowed to protect yourself from cuts and abrasions^[1] however, the risk of a draw-in is still higher than with bare hands! do NOT wear gloves when sanding with a spindle do not wear loose clothing or jewelry and tuck away long hair as they might get caught guards around the belt rollers and a maximum gap of 3 mm between the sanding medium and the machine's table (or table inserts) minimize the draw-in risk never leave the machine running unattended always unplug the machine prior to any servicing
Flying splinters, dust or sparks	you MUST wear goggles. A dust mask COULD also be necessary depending on your material you MUST hook up a shop vac for sanding wood and wood-like materials When sanding metal, NEVER connect a dust extraction system, as sparks can ignite dust inside the vacuum, causing a smoldering fire. Always ensure proper ventilation and keep the sanding area free of flammable debris.
Risk of kickback	Always support the workpiece against the direction of the force applied by the sander: let the workpiece (or workholding jig) touch the machine's table before the sandpaper and maintain contact with the table the same applies to the fence or workpiece stop (use one whenever the table alone is not providing support against the spinning direction!) for freehand contouring work on a vertical belt sander, the top roller can be used without support do not force the work piece into the sanding medium, only apply light pressure keep both hands on the workpiece (or workholding jig) while sanding disc sander: only sand on the downward pushing side (right on the Holzmann BT 203-914 and left on the Record Power DS300)
the workpiece and sanding medium might get hot can potentially set sawdust on fire remains hot for a while after sanding	As specified by the manufacturer, the Holzmann BT 203-914 and WilTec 65414 are not designed to grind metal. If you use it for light metal grinding/deburring, keep a bucket of water nearby to cool the workpiece, work in short intervals and stay careful not to overheat the machine and the workpiece. DO NOT use it for extensive metal grinding (no knife making, etc). keep the sanding area free of flammable debris avoid staying in one section of the sanding medium to even out heat and wear - move the workpiece along the table/fence if possible or use an oscillating sander like the WilTec 65414

Demonstration

The tutor will show you these steps in detail on at least one of the applicable machines:

belt sanders
- adjusting the sanding belt (tension and "tracking"/direction)
  - when putting on a new belt, make sure you use it in the correct orientation
  - with the machine unpowered, turn the belt by hand (e.g. via the disc sander side). Observe if the belt slides off its track. If it is sliding towards the disc side, turn the tracking knob clockwise, otherwise counter clockwise.
  - make sure the belt is not sliding to either side before operating a combined machine every time, even if you are only using the other side (e.g. disc sander)

disc sanders
- how to change discs without removing the table: removal / replacement (disc removal is not possible on the Record Power DS300 without removing the table)
- always position your workpiece on the downward pushing (BT: right; DS300: left) side of the disc to direct forces towards the table where they can be controlled
- Machine-specific note:
  - On the Holzmann BT 203-914, the disc can be changed without removing the table.
  - On the Record Power DS300, the table must be removed to change the disc.

spindle sanders
- how to safely attach a sanding sleeve by compressing the rubber spindle end to end (usually with a screw) so it grabs the sleeve from the inside

adjusting sanding tables/fences
- make sure table inserts or fences do not touch the sanding medium
- always return to exactly 90°, not just the general neighborhood - the next Maker will thank you!

always clean the machine and its work area with a shop vac after use

Cleaning after use

Always leave the machine and its surroundings clean for the next Maker.

Remove sanding dust and chips from the machine.
Vacuum the machine and work area with the appropriate shop vac.
Do not blow sanding dust around the workshop with compressed air.
Leave tables, fences and surrounding surfaces clean.
Report damaged sanding media, unusual noises, tracking problems or other defects to a tutor.

A clean machine is a safer machine — and the next Maker shouldn't have to clean up after you.