3" x 118" Surface Conditioning Belts (Non-Woven), 4 PACK
3" x 118" Surface Conditioning Belts (Non-Woven), 4 PACK
Available in stock (50000)
Long, narrow non-woven belts are what tube and pipe finishing machines run to put a uniform satin on stainless and aluminum round stock, and what stroke and edge sanders run to blend and grain long flat parts. These 3" x 118" surface conditioning belts are built for that work: a nylon web loaded with aluminum oxide grain on a reinforced scrim backing that holds tension over a nearly ten-foot loop without stretching or wandering.
They come four to a pack in a single grade, Coarse, Medium, Very Fine or Ultra Fine, for stainless, steel, aluminum, titanium and non-ferrous alloys. Buyers are typically railing, food-equipment and architectural metal shops finishing handrail, pipe and tube to a consistent brushed look.
- Sized for pipe and tube polishing machines and long-bed edge and stroke sanders taking a 3 x 118 belt
- Scrim backing resists stretch and tracks true over a long span
- Four grades: 40–60, 80–120, 180–240 and 320–400 grit scratch patterns
- Puts a consistent linear satin on stainless handrail and tube without changing the diameter
- Runs cool and resists loading on aluminum; usable wet or dry
- 4 belts of one grade per pack; free shipping over $200
Which grade should you run for pipe and tube finishing?
On a tube polisher the belt wraps part of the pipe circumference and the pipe rotates under it, so the grade you pick sets the final grain. Match it to what the customer specified.
- Coarse (40–60 grit scratch), brown: first pass on mill-finish or welded pipe. Removes scale, weld discoloration and handling marks and leaves a coarse brushed grain. Also the grade for stripping oxidation off aluminum tube.
- Medium (80–120 grit scratch), maroon: blends the coarse scratch or the marks from a coated belt, and is the finish for utilitarian stainless such as process piping and frames.
- Very Fine (180–240 grit scratch), blue: the standard for architectural handrail and food-service tube: a directional #4-style satin that matches brushed sheet.
- Ultra Fine (320–400 grit scratch), grey: a fine satin for decorative and high-visibility stainless, and the grade to use before buffing if the tube is going to a mirror.
On an edge or stroke sander the same logic applies to flat parts: Medium after coated grinding, Very Fine or Ultra Fine for the final grain.
Grade guide for stainless and aluminum tube
| Grade | Use it for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Coarse 40–60 | Scale, weld color, oxidized aluminum | First pass only |
| Medium 80–120 | Blending, process pipe finish | Follows coated belt |
| Very Fine 180–240 | #4-style handrail and food-service satin | Most-ordered grade |
| Ultra Fine 320–400 | Decorative satin, pre-buff | Light pressure |
Step through the grades without skipping more than one. A Very Fine belt will not remove a Coarse scratch in one pass, and the deeper lines will show through the finish.
What machines take a 3 x 118 belt?
- Pipe and tube polishing machines that run a 3" wide belt around a contact wheel or roller set against rotating round stock. This is the application our previous page for this belt described.
- Long-bed oscillating edge sanders with a 3" belt of this length, used for edges of panels, doors and long stainless or aluminum extrusions.
- Horizontal stroke sanders where the belt runs continuously and the operator presses a pad down onto the moving belt over long flat work.
Measure before ordering: on a long belt a small error in circumference matters, and most machines tolerate roughly a quarter inch either way. Check the inside of the belt for a direction arrow; non-woven belts run either way. Mount with the machine off, tension to the maker's setting, then jog the machine and adjust tracking so the belt runs centered on the rollers before bringing the part in. If your machine takes a longer belt, our 3" x 132" version is the next size up, and we make other lengths to order in about 3 days.
How to get the most out of them
- Grind welds flush first. Use a coated zirconia or ceramic belt to remove weld reinforcement and bring the tube or panel to an even 80–120 grit before switching to non-woven. The web refines a scratch; it will not remove weld metal.
- Run at reduced speed and light pressure. A long belt at full speed generates a lot of heat at the contact wheel. Slow the belt, keep contact pressure light, and let the web do the work. Heavy pressure tears fibers off the scrim and shortens belt life more than anything else.
- Keep the pipe rotating and traversing. A consistent rotation speed and traverse rate is what produces an even grain along the full length. Stopping the traverse leaves a bright band.
- On a stroke sander, keep the pad moving. Press lightly and move the pad continuously along the work in one direction so the grain lines stay parallel.
- Lubricate on aluminum and titanium. The belt is waterproof; a light mist or cutting fluid keeps aluminum from smearing into the web and stops titanium from discoloring.
- Store hanging and clean with air. A 118" belt kinks if it is folded. Hang it on a large-radius hook, blow it out after use, and keep it out of sunlight and humidity.
Use it for / don't use it for
Use it for
- Satin and #4-style finishes on stainless handrail, pipe and tube
- Brushed finishes on aluminum tube, extrusions and long flat panels
- Blending welds and coated-belt scratches on long parts after grinding
- Removing heat tint, scale, light rust and oxidation over long lengths
- Deburring and cleaning edges on stroke and edge sanders without changing dimensions
- Prepping long parts for paint, powder coat or polishing
Don't use it for
- Weld removal or stock removal; that is a coated belt job
- Producing a mirror finish; go to buffing wheels and compound after Ultra Fine
- Machines that take a different belt length; a long belt has no slack to absorb a size error
- Heavy pressure on a small contact wheel; it will strip the web
Specifications
| Size | 3" x 118" |
|---|---|
| Abrasive | Aluminum oxide in a non-woven nylon web |
| Backing | Reinforced scrim, stretch-resistant |
| Grades offered | Coarse (40-60), Medium (80-120), Very Fine (180-240), Ultra Fine (320-400) |
| Color code | Brown / maroon / blue / grey |
| Joint | Bi-directional, no arrow |
| Pack quantity | 4 belts, one grade per pack |
| Wet or dry | Both |
| Fits | Pipe and tube polishers, edge and stroke sanders taking 3 x 118 |
| Converted in | Anaheim, California |
| Custom sizes | Other lengths made to order in about 3 days |
Frequently asked questions
What is a 3 x 118 surface conditioning belt used for?
A 3" x 118" non-woven belt is mainly used on pipe and tube polishing machines to put a uniform satin finish on stainless and aluminum round stock, and on long-bed edge sanders and stroke sanders to blend and grain long flat parts. It refines the scratch left by a coated belt and removes heat tint and oxidation without changing part size.
Which grade gives a #4 finish on stainless handrail?
The Very Fine (blue, 180–240 grit scratch) grade produces the directional satin that matches #4-style brushed stainless on handrail and food-service tube. Grind welds flush and bring the tube to 120–180 grit with a coated belt first, then run Very Fine at reduced speed with light pressure and a steady traverse. Ultra Fine (grey) gives a finer satin.
How much length tolerance does my machine have for a 3 x 118 belt?
Most edge sanders, stroke sanders and tube polishers accept about a quarter inch either side of nominal, but on a belt this long a wrong length shows up fast as slack or over-tension. Check your manual for the exact belt size before ordering. If your machine needs a different length, we cut custom non-woven belts to order in about 3 days.
Can I run these belts wet on a tube polisher?
Yes. The nylon web and scrim backing are waterproof, so a 3 x 118 non-woven belt can be run with a water mist or light lubricant, which helps on aluminum and titanium. Make sure the machine is designed for wet use. Hang the belt to dry afterwards and do not store it damp or folded.
Do I need a coated belt before the non-woven belt?
For welded or scaled pipe, yes. Non-woven web removes almost no stock, so it cannot take down weld reinforcement or deep grinder marks. Grind with a zirconia or ceramic belt to 80–120 grit, then use Medium to blend and Very Fine or Ultra Fine to finish. On clean mill-finish tube you can often go straight to Medium or Very Fine.
How many belts come in the pack and can I buy in bulk?
Each pack has four 3" x 118" belts of one grade: Coarse, Medium, Very Fine or Ultra Fine. Shops running a tube polisher on production work can get case quantities and bulk pricing by calling 714-646-3299 or emailing sales@maverickabrasives.com. Orders over $200 ship free.
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