4" x 24" Metalworking Sanding Belts, 9 PACK
4" x 24" Metalworking Sanding Belts, 9 PACK
Available in stock (49999)
Fabricators who grain stainless counters, level long welds on plate or strip big steel surfaces reach for a 4" x 24" sander because the wide platen covers ground and spreads heat. These 4" x 24" metalworking belts fit the Makita 9403 and 9404, Milwaukee 4" x 24" corded sanders and the Ridgid EB4424 oscillating edge sander, in zirconia for steel, ceramic for stainless and hardened steel, Zirconia+ (Grinding Aid) for stainless and aluminum, and Cloth A/O for the fine finishing grits.
We convert them in Anaheim, California on a Y-weight poly-cotton backing with heat-treated grain. The extra inch of width over a 3" belt means more grain in contact, a flatter finish and less heat per square inch. Nine belts of one grit per pack.
- Fits the Makita 9403/9404, Milwaukee 4" x 24" belt sanders and the Ridgid EB4424 edge sander
- Zirconia, ceramic, Zirconia+ (Grinding Aid) and cloth aluminum oxide in one 4" x 24" size
- Wide 4" face for flat panels, countertops and long weld seams; 24–600 grit
- Y-weight poly-cotton cloth built to outlast typical paper or light-cloth belts under full pressure
- 9 belts per pack; poly-cotton backing can be run wet or dry
- Converted in Anaheim, California; free shipping on orders over $200
Which grain should you choose for a 4" x 24" sander on metal?
The wide platen of a 4" x 24" sander suits large flat metal, and the grain you choose decides how the surface looks and how hot it gets.
- Zirconia: carbon and mild steel plate, cast iron, weld leveling, rust and scale, general fabrication. Micro-fractures under load, so lean on the sander. Offered 24–120 grit.
- Zirconia+ (Grinding Aid): zirconia with a grinding-aid top coat over the aid in the resin. The coating lubricates and cools; use it on stainless sheet and countertops, aluminum plate, diamond plate and titanium, where heat warps the part and the belt loads. For directional graining on stainless this is the belt to reach for before you step to the fine aluminum oxide grits.
- Ceramic: the orange-red belt for stainless plate, hardened and tool steel and nickel alloys. Constant cut rate for its whole life, but only under firm pressure; a hand-held 4" x 24" with your weight on it delivers that. On a light benchtop oscillating sander it tends to glaze.
- Cloth A/O: heat-treated aluminum oxide on the same poly-cotton cloth, forgiving at light pressure. The grain for brass, bronze and soft aluminum and for every 150, 180, 220, 320, 400 and 600 grit belt, which is where a graining or pre-paint finish is made.
Above 120 grit zirconia and ceramic give a bright scratch rather than a finish; do the finishing on Cloth A/O or a non-woven belt.
Grit guide for plate, sheet and countertops with a 4" x 24" belt
| Grit | Steel and stainless | Aluminum |
|---|---|---|
| 24–36 | Leveling heavy welds on plate, thick scale, old coatings (zirconia or ceramic) | Rough castings only |
| 40–60 | Flushing welds, shaping edges, stripping paint and powder | First belt on plate and diamond plate, with grinding aid or grease stick |
| 80–120 | Removing grinder and 60-grit scratch, blending, first graining pass | Main working range on panels and sheet |
| 150–220 | Directional grain on stainless, pre-paint finish (Cloth A/O) | Finish before anodize or paint |
| 320–600 | Fine graining, pre-polish (Cloth A/O) | Pre-polish before buffing |
To grain a stainless counter: 80 Zirconia+ (Grinding Aid) in one direction only, then 120, then 180 and 220 Cloth A/O, all in the same direction, never skipping more than one grade. Finish with a fine non-woven belt for a uniform satin. On aluminum: 80, 120, 220 Cloth A/O with the grease stick on the belt.
What machines does a 4" x 24" belt fit?
- Makita 9403 and 9404 4" x 24" portable belt sanders, verified. These are the sanders most 4" x 24" metalworking belts leave our shop for.
- Milwaukee 4" x 24" corded belt sanders, verified.
- Ridgid EB4424 oscillating edge belt and spindle sander, verified. It is a benchtop machine, so favour zirconia and Cloth A/O on it and keep ceramic for the hand-held sanders.
- Other portable or bench sanders that list a 4" x 24" belt; check the manual, because 4" x 21" and 4" x 36" machines look similar and will not tension this length.
Mounting on a portable sander: retract the front roller, slide the belt on, release the lever, then run the sander upside down while turning the tracking knob until the belt runs centred on the platen. Check the inside of the belt for a direction arrow first; if one is printed, point it in the direction of rotation, otherwise the joint runs either way. On the EB4424 tension the belt, spin it by hand and adjust tracking before switching on. Unusual lengths are made to order in about 3 days.
How to get the most out of it
- Remove the dust bag and use metal-rated collection. Steel sparks and a bag of wood dust are a fire risk. Empty and remove the bag, or connect to a dedicated metal-rated or wet collector; never share a wood-dust collector.
- Keep the whole platen flat and moving. The 4" width only pays off if the platen sits flat; tipping the sander onto an edge digs a groove in steel and is the usual cause of a wavy countertop. Overlap passes by half the belt width.
- Feed pressure to zirconia and ceramic. Both stay sharp only while they micro-fracture under load; a light touch glazes them. Use body weight on the hand-held sanders and choose zirconia or aluminum oxide on the benchtop EB4424.
- Slow down and lubricate for aluminum. Drop the belt speed if the sander has speed control, rub a grease stick on the running belt and use the grinding-aid or Cloth A/O belts. Steel runs at full speed.
- Manage heat on thin sheet. Work in short passes, let the sheet cool, and change the belt the moment colour appears. Stainless blues quickly and a warped panel cannot be un-warped.
- Run wet where the setup allows. The poly-cotton backing tolerates coolant; a mist on stainless or titanium keeps the surface cool and the belt clear. Portable sanders normally run dry.
- Clean and store. Clear loaded Cloth A/O belts with a crepe belt eraser. Store spares hanging or loosely rolled, dry and out of sunlight, and let cold belts warm before use.
Use it for / don't use it for
Use it for
- Directional graining on stainless countertops, backsplashes, enclosures and tanks
- Leveling long MIG and stick welds on steel plate, gates, trailers and frames
- Stripping rust, mill scale, paint and powder coat from large steel surfaces
- Leveling aluminum plate, diamond plate and truck bodies with the grinding-aid or aluminum oxide belts
- Deburring and edge sanding plate on the Ridgid EB4424 edge sander
- Wood, plastic and filler work with the Cloth A/O belts
Don't use it for
- Steel sparks into a dust bag or a wood-dust collector
- Finishing with zirconia or ceramic above 120 grit; switch to Cloth A/O or non-woven
- Ceramic at light pressure on a benchtop oscillating sander; it glazes and heats the part
- Machines that call for a 4" x 21" or 4" x 36" belt; check the size first
Specifications
| Size | 4" x 24" |
|---|---|
| Abrasive grains | Ceramic, Zirconia, Zirconia+ (Grinding Aid), Cloth A/O (heat-treated aluminum oxide) |
| Backing | Y-weight poly-cotton cloth |
| Coat | Closed coat, resin bond |
| Joint | Taped cloth joint; check inside for a direction arrow |
| Grits offered | 24, 36, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 120, 150, 180, 220, 320, 400, 600 (range varies by grain; zirconia 24–120) |
| Pack quantity | 9 belts, one grain and grit per pack |
| Wet or dry | Both; poly-cotton backing tolerates coolant |
| Fits | Makita 9403/9404, Milwaukee 4" x 24" sanders, Ridgid EB4424 and other 4" x 24" machines |
| Converted in | Anaheim, California |
| Custom sizes | Any width and length made to order in about 3 days |
Frequently asked questions
Do these 4" x 24" belts fit the Makita 9403 and 9404?
Yes. Both the Makita 9403 and 9404 are 4" x 24" portable belt sanders and these belts are cut to that size. Retract the front roller, slide the belt on with any printed arrow pointing in the direction of rotation, release the lever and set tracking with the sander running off the work. Milwaukee 4" x 24" corded sanders take the same belt.
Can I use these metalworking belts on the Ridgid EB4424 edge sander?
Yes, the Ridgid EB4424 oscillating edge belt and spindle sander takes a 4" x 24" belt. Because it is a benchtop machine with less pressure than a hand-held sander, zirconia and Cloth A/O are the better choices on it for steel and aluminum edges; ceramic needs more load than that machine usually sees and will glaze.
Which belt and grit sequence grains a stainless steel countertop?
Start with Zirconia+ (Grinding Aid) at 80 grit, sanding in one direction only, then 120. Switch to Cloth A/O at 180 and 220 in the same direction, and finish with a fine non-woven belt for an even satin. Keep the platen flat, overlap passes and never dwell; the grinding-aid coat keeps the stainless from bluing while you level.
What is the advantage of a 4" belt over a 3" belt on metal?
More grain in contact. A 4" x 24" belt covers a third more surface per pass than a 3" belt, so it levels plate and panels flatter, leaves fewer overlap lines when graining, and spreads the same heat over a bigger area. The trade-off is a heavier sander and a little more effort to keep the platen flat.
What removes powder coat or thick paint from steel fastest?
Zirconia at 36 or 40 grit. It cuts through powder coat and old paint quickly and keeps sharpening itself under the weight of a hand-held sander. Follow with 80 and 120 zirconia to take out the coarse scratch, then 220 Cloth A/O if the steel is being repainted. Remove the dust bag; hot particles and coating dust do not mix.
Will these belts warp thin aluminum or stainless sheet?
Heat warps sheet, not the belt itself. Use the Zirconia+ (Grinding Aid) belt or Cloth A/O, lower the belt speed if your sander allows, rub a grease stick on the belt for aluminum, and work in short passes with the platen flat, letting the sheet cool between them. Change belts as soon as they dull, because a dull belt makes heat instead of chips.
How many belts are in a pack and can I get bulk pricing?
Each pack contains 9 belts of one grain and one grit. Orders over $200 ship free, and case quantities can be quoted by calling 714-646-3299 or emailing sales@maverickabrasives.com. If your machine takes a size we do not list, we convert custom belts in Anaheim, California in about 3 days.
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