18" x 86" Sanding Belt, 2 PACK

The Timesaver Top 18 is the machine most 18" x 86" belts go on, and it is a machine that gets used for metal as often as wood: deburring laser-cut parts, graining stainless, flattening aluminum plate, then a run of cabinet doors the next day. That is why this size is the one in our 18-inch family offered in three grains: closed-coat aluminum oxide, zirconia and ceramic, all on poly-cotton cloth.

Two belts to a pack, one grain and one grit per pack, from 24 through 400 grit. Aluminum oxide for wood, plastics, carbon fiber and aluminum; zirconia for steel and heavy hardwood removal; ceramic for stainless and hardened steel where heat is the enemy. Our belts run bi-directionally. Converted in Anaheim, California.

• Three grains for one machine: aluminum oxide for wood, zirconia for steel, ceramic for stainless
• 24 grit available for weld knockdown and heavy plate work on metal-rated sanders
• Poly-cotton cloth backing that runs bi-directionally and tolerates Timesaver-class tension
• Closed coat throughout for maximum cut on hardwood, MDF, composites and metal
• 36–400 grit aluminum oxide covers wood from calibrating to sealer flatting
• Two belts per pack; converted in Anaheim, California

Aluminum oxide, zirconia or ceramic: which belt for the Timesaver Top 18?

Choose by the material under the belt and how hard the machine can push. All three grains are on closed-coat cloth.

• Cloth Closed Coat A/O: aluminum oxide, the belt for wood, MDF, plywood, plastics, carbon fiber and aluminum, and the only grain to use above 120 grit. It cuts at moderate pressure and leaves an even scratch for stain or paint. On aluminum, pair it with a grease stick to stop loading.
• Zirconia: for mild and carbon steel, weld knockdown and heavy stock removal on hardwood glue-ups, at 24 through 120 grit. The grain fractures under load and stays sharp as long as the head is set for a real cut. Light pressure glazes it.
• Ceramic: for stainless, hardened and tool steel, titanium and nickel alloys, and for any steel job where bluing is a problem. Ceramic grain micro-fractures continuously and holds a near-constant cut rate for its whole life, but it demands pressure and a rigid machine; a Timesaver-class wide belt sander delivers that. Run it too light and it glazes and puts heat into the part. Keep ceramic in the 24 to 120 range and finish with aluminum oxide or a surface conditioning belt.

Open coat is not offered in this size. Closed coat lasts longer on hardwood and is the only choice on metal. When the machine changes between wood and metal, change the belt and clear the collector; steel dust and wood dust in one collector is a fire risk.

Grit guide for wood and metal on an 18-inch wide belt sander

On both materials step no more than one grade at a time. Zirconia and ceramic are coarse-to-medium grains; above 120 grit switch to aluminum oxide for the finish.

What machines take an 18" x 86" belt?

• Timesaver Top 18: the most popular machine for this size, as our original listing noted. Confirm against your plate; the closely related 18" x 85" belt is a separate listing.
• Other 18-inch wide belt sanders and automatic finish sanders whose size plate reads 18" x 86".
• 18-inch wide belt deburring and graining machines set up for metal, using zirconia or ceramic with a metal-rated or wet collector.

Match both dimensions. Most machines take up about a quarter inch of length, so 85 and 86 inch belts are not interchangeable; read the plate. Our 18" x 86" belts are made to run in either direction, so there is no arrow to honour, but inspect the joint tape before mounting. Other 18-inch lengths are converted as custom belts in about 3 days.

How to get the most out of it

1. Track the belt empty and centre the oscillation before feeding stock, then re-check after it warms.
2. Give zirconia and ceramic a real cut. Set the head for a genuine depth of cut on steel and hardwood; both grains need load to fracture and stay sharp. Take 1/64" to 1/32" on hardwood at coarse grits.
3. Keep parts moving on metal. Dwell blues stainless and work-hardens the surface. Feed steadily and let the grain do the work.
4. Use a grease stick on aluminum with aluminum oxide, and slow the feed slightly; aluminum smears and loads a dry belt fast.
5. Separate wood and metal dust. Use a dedicated metal-rated or wet collector for steel and empty the wood collector before switching; hot steel dust in wood dust is a fire risk.
6. Clean and store properly. A crepe rubber eraser at light pressure clears loaded aluminum oxide; hang belts off the floor away from humidity and sunlight, and warm cold belts before mounting.

For belt breakage and joint failures see our guide to why wide sanding belts break. For ripple and chatter marks on wood, see the woodworking chatter Q&A.

Use it for / don't use it for

Use it for

• Hardwood, plywood, MDF and veneer panels and doors (aluminum oxide)
• Plastics, carbon fiber and composite sheet (aluminum oxide)
• Aluminum plate and extrusions with a grease stick (aluminum oxide)
• Mild steel plate, weld knockdown and laser-cut part deburring (zirconia)
• Stainless, hardened steel and titanium graining and flattening (ceramic)

Don't use it for

• Machines plated for 18" x 85" or any other length
• Ceramic or zirconia at light pressure or above 120 grit expecting a finish
• Running metal and wood through one dust collector
• Wet operation unless your machine is built for it

Specifications

Frequently asked questions

Related products and guides

• Wide sanding belts
• All sanding belts
• 18" x 85" Sanding Belts, 3 pack
• 16" x 48" Metalworking Sanding Belts, 3 pack
• Custom sanding belts made to order in about 3 days