3" x 24" Surface Conditioning Belts (Non-Woven), 8 PACK
3" x 24" Surface Conditioning Belts (Non-Woven), 8 PACK
Available in stock (49998)
Fabrication shops that run a heavier 3 x 24 portable belt sander through the week buy non-woven belts by the eight, because one belt per grade does not get through a batch of stainless enclosures or a run of aluminum tanks. These 3" x 24" surface conditioning belts are that restock: nylon web with aluminum oxide grain on a reinforced scrim backing, sized for the Makita 9924DB and other 3 x 24 sanders.
Choose one grade per 8-pack, Coarse, Medium, Very Fine or Ultra Fine. They deburr, blend weld zones, remove heat tint and lay a straight satin grain on stainless and aluminum without loading up or taking the part out of tolerance, and they can be used wet or dry.
- Sized for the Makita 9924DB and other 3 x 24 portable belt sanders
- 8 belts of one grade per pack keeps a production sander supplied
- Grades from 40–60 to 320–400 grit scratch for stripping through satin finishing
- Web runs cool and sheds swarf instead of loading, so aluminum does not smear
- Reinforced scrim backing holds tension and tracks like a cloth belt
- Free shipping over $200; case pricing for shops on request
Which grade should a fab shop stock in 3 x 24?
Most shops end up with two 8-packs on the shelf: one grade for cleanup and one for finish. Here is how the four break down.
- Coarse (40–60 grit scratch), brown: removing mill scale from hot-rolled plate before welding, stripping rust and old coatings from repair work, cleaning heavy oxide off aluminum. Aggressive for a non-woven belt, so keep it moving.
- Medium (80–120 grit scratch), maroon: the cleanup grade. Blends ground welds into plate, knocks off burrs from plasma and laser cuts, preps steel and aluminum for primer or powder coat, and refines the scratch from a 120 grit coated belt.
- Very Fine (180–240 grit scratch), blue: the finish grade. Produces the directional #4-style satin on stainless enclosures, hoods, tables and sinks, and a clean brushed look on aluminum panels.
- Ultra Fine (320–400 grit scratch), grey: a softer satin for architectural and food-service stainless, and for removing weld heat tint from a finished panel without leaving a visible repair.
For welded stainless work, the pairing is Medium after grinding and Very Fine for the final pass. For painted steel, Coarse or Medium alone is enough.
Grade guide for fabricated stainless and aluminum
| Grade | Use it for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Coarse 40–60 | Mill scale, rust, heavy oxide | Keep the sander moving |
| Medium 80–120 | Weld blending, deburring cuts, paint prep | Cleanup grade |
| Very Fine 180–240 | #4-style satin, brushed aluminum | Finish grade |
| Ultra Fine 320–400 | Fine satin, heat tint removal | Lightest pressure |
Non-woven web refines rather than removes. Grind welds flush with a coated zirconia or ceramic belt to 80–120 grit, then switch to these belts.
Which sanders take a 3 x 24 belt?
- Makita 9924DB portable belt sander
- Porter-Cable 360VS, as named on our earlier page for this belt size
- Other 3" x 24" portable belt sanders; check the belt size printed on the tool or in its manual
A 3 x 24 belt is 3" longer than a 3 x 21 and will not fit a 3 x 21 sander, nor the reverse; the tension arm travel is not that long. Mounting is the same as a coated belt: release the tension lever, slide the belt on, re-tension, then run the sander pointed away from you and adjust the tracking knob until the belt rides centered on the platen. There is no direction arrow on a non-woven belt. Because the web is thicker than cloth, allow the tracking to settle for a few seconds before making a second adjustment.
How to get the most out of them
- Grind first, condition second. Bring welds flush and cut edges square with a coated belt, then switch to the non-woven belt. Asking a Medium belt to remove a 40 grit scratch wastes belts and time.
- Use the sander's weight only. A 3 x 24 sander is heavy enough on its own. Bearing down crushes the web against the platen, overheats it and strips fibers from the scrim, and it is the main reason non-woven belts wear out early.
- Run long, parallel, single-direction passes on stainless. Start off the edge, travel the full length of the panel, lift off the far edge. Every pass in the same line is what makes a #4-style finish look continuous.
- Slow the belt if you can. Non-woven works best at lower surface speed. On a variable-speed sander, use the low range; on a fixed-speed tool, shorten contact time.
- Use a little lubricant on aluminum and titanium. The web is waterproof. A mist of water or a light cutting fluid stops aluminum smearing and keeps titanium from discoloring.
- Dust and fire discipline. Stainless and aluminum swarf should not go into a wood-dust collector. Blow belts out with compressed air, hang them to dry if run wet, and store them away from sunlight.
Use it for / don't use it for
Use it for
- Satin and #4-style finishes on stainless enclosures, sinks, hoods, tables and tanks
- Blending welds and grinder marks on plate and sheet after coated-belt grinding
- Deburring plasma, laser and shear edges on steel and aluminum parts
- Removing mill scale, rust, heat tint and oxidation
- Prepping steel and aluminum for primer, paint or powder coat
- Cleaning and scuffing fiberglass and plastics
Don't use it for
- Weld removal or stock removal; that is a coated zirconia or ceramic belt job
- 3 x 21 sanders; the belt is the wrong length
- Sharp edges and inside corners, which cut stripes through the web
- Mirror polishing; follow Ultra Fine with buffing wheels and compound
Specifications
| Size | 3" x 24" |
|---|---|
| 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 | 8 belts, one grade per pack |
| Wet or dry | Both |
| Fits | Makita 9924DB and other 3 x 24 portable belt sanders |
| Converted in | Anaheim, California |
| Custom sizes | Made to order in about 3 days |
Frequently asked questions
Does a 3 x 24 surface conditioning belt fit the Makita 9924DB?
Yes. The Makita 9924DB takes a 3" x 24" belt, and these non-woven belts mount and track on it exactly like a coated belt. Release the tension lever, slide the belt on, re-tension and set the tracking with the sander running off the work. The Porter-Cable 360VS named on our earlier page also used this size.
Can I use a 3 x 24 belt on a 3 x 21 sander?
No. A 3" x 24" belt is three inches longer in circumference than a 3 x 21, and a belt sander's tension arm only takes up a fraction of an inch. The belt would be loose and would not track. Use our 3 x 21 surface conditioning belts for those sanders and keep this size for 3 x 24 machines.
What grade do I use to get a #4 finish on a stainless enclosure?
Grind welds flush and bring the panel to an even 120–180 grit with coated belts, then use the Very Fine (blue, 180–240 grit scratch) non-woven belt in long, parallel, single-direction passes. That produces the directional satin most fabricators call a #4-style finish. Ultra Fine (grey) gives a finer, softer version of the same look.
Why eight belts in a pack?
Because a shop running a 3 x 24 sander on production stainless or aluminum goes through belts by the grade, not by the piece. Eight belts of one grade keeps the machine supplied for a run of parts without reordering mid-job. If you use more, case quantities and bulk pricing are available by calling 714-646-3299 or emailing sales@maverickabrasives.com.
Will these belts load up on aluminum like my coated belts do?
Much less. The open nylon web sheds swarf and runs cooler than a coated belt, which is why non-woven is the standard for finishing aluminum. Keep pressure light and use a mist of water or a light cutting lubricant on soft alloys; the belt is waterproof. If a belt does load, blow it out with compressed air or clean it with a belt eraser.
Do these belts remove weld metal?
No, and they are not meant to. A 3 x 24 non-woven belt removes almost no stock; it blends, deburrs, cleans and refines the scratch pattern that the grinding step left behind. Take the weld down with a zirconia or ceramic coated belt first, then use Medium to blend and Very Fine to finish.
Related products and guides
Couldn't load pickup availability
Get $20 off when you spend $1,000 or more! Learn more
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.
