4" x 60" Sanding Belts, 6 PACK
4" x 60" Sanding Belts, 6 PACK
Available in stock (49987)
A 4" x 60" belt is the size used on a handful of bench belt sanders, belt/disc combination machines and compact edge sanders, and this listing keeps six of them on the shelf in one grit. We convert them in Anaheim, California from heat-treated aluminum oxide on poly-cotton cloth, which is the grain woodworkers should be running: it cuts cleanly at the light pressure a bench machine allows, and it does not tear into softwood or leave the burn marks a zirconia belt can.
The grit range runs from 36 for shaping and stock removal up to 320 for pre-finish work, so one listing covers edge jointing, flattening small panels, rounding corners, deburring aluminum and cleaning up plywood edges. Metalworkers who mainly want a low-cost belt for aluminum, mild steel and general deburring can use the same belts at 36–120 grit.
- Heat-treated aluminum oxide grain: the right choice for wood, aluminum and general shop sanding
- Poly-cotton cloth backing can be run wet or dry and resists tearing at the edges
- Nine grits from 36 to 320 cover shaping through pre-finish on one machine
- Six belts per pack: enough for a full grit sequence plus spares
- Converted in Anaheim, California; custom 4" wide lengths made in about 3 days
- Free shipping on orders over $200
Which 4" x 60" belt should you choose?
This size is stocked in aluminum oxide only, so the decision is grit, not grain. Aluminum oxide is a blocky, tough grain whose edges round over slowly; it keeps cutting at the light-to-moderate pressure a bench sander produces, which is exactly why we recommend it for wood roughly 95 percent of the time.
- 36 and 40 grit: fast stock removal, straightening a sawn edge, knocking down glue lines and rough-milled lumber. Also the grits to use for shaping aluminum castings or removing a weld bead in mild steel on a bench machine.
- 60 grit: rough shaping where 36 is too coarse to control, and the first pass on hardwood that will be finished on the same machine.
- 80 grit: the general-purpose grit for a bench sander. Removes the 40–60 scratch and is the starting point for most edge-sanding jobs on clean stock.
- 120 and 150 grit: pre-finish on wood, the last grit before hand sanding or a random-orbit sander, and the finish grit for deburred aluminum parts.
- 180 and 220 grit: final machine sanding before stain, oil or clear coat. Stop at 220 for stain; finer grits burnish the wood and block absorption.
- 320 grit: fine finishing on end grain, small parts, plastics and knife handle material, and light deburring where you want almost no scratch.
Zirconia and silicon carbide are not stocked in 4" x 60", but we can make either grain in this size to order; call 714-646-3299 or use the custom belt page if you need a coarse zirconia belt for steel or a silicon carbide belt for plastics.
Grit guide for bench and edge sanding on wood
| Grit | Use it for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 36–40 | Straightening edges, heavy removal | Keep the work moving; easy to over-sand |
| 60 | Rough shaping, milling marks | Good first grit on hardwood |
| 80 | General edge sanding | Most-used grit on a bench sander |
| 120–150 | Pre-finish, removing 80 scratch | Finish grit for aluminum parts |
| 180–220 | Final before stain or clear | Do not go finer than 220 for stain |
| 320 | Fine finishing, end grain, plastics | Light pressure only |
Never skip more than one grit. A 40 → 120 jump leaves deep scratches hiding under a smooth-looking surface that show up as soon as the finish goes on.
What machines take a 4" x 60" belt?
- Bench belt sanders and belt/disc combination sanders built around a 4" wide, 60" long belt. This is a less common size than 4 x 36, so check the belt length in your manual or measure an old belt before ordering.
- Compact edge sanders with a 4" platen that list a 60" belt.
- Shop-built and vertical belt grinders set up for a 4" belt with the pulley spacing for 60" of belt.
Fitment notes: most machines tolerate a length variation of about 1/4", and a belt that is too long will not track. If your machine calls for a metric size close to 100 x 1524 mm, this is the equivalent belt. Check the inside of the belt for a direction arrow before mounting; if there is none, the joint runs in either direction. Centre the belt on the platen with the tracking knob at low speed before you start work.
How to get the most out of it
- Use the platen for flat edges and the slack section between the rollers for curves and rounded corners. Sand end grain on the disc side of a combo machine where possible; it loads a belt quickly.
- Let the grain cut. Aluminum oxide does not need heavy pressure. Leaning on the work slows the belt, heats the wood and shortens belt life without removing material faster.
- Keep the work moving across the belt width so the belt wears evenly instead of developing a worn stripe in the middle.
- Clean the belt with a crepe belt eraser when resinous wood, paint or aluminum starts to load the grain. A cleaned belt at 80 grit cuts nearly like new.
- Run wet only where the machine allows it. The poly-cotton backing tolerates water, but most bench sanders are not built for it; wet sanding is for dedicated wet machines and hand use.
- Store spares hanging or loosely rolled, away from humidity and sunlight. A cloth belt left folded takes a set and thumps on the rollers.
Use it for / don't use it for
Use it for
- Edge jointing, squaring and chamfering hardwood and softwood on a bench sander
- Flattening small panels, cutting boards and box parts
- Plywood and MDF edges (stay at 120 grit or finer on veneer)
- Deburring and shaping aluminum, brass and mild steel at light pressure
- Shaping knife handles, tool handles and plastics
Don't use it for
- Heavy stock removal on stainless or hardened steel; that job needs zirconia or ceramic and a rigid grinder
- Coarse grits on thin veneer, which sands through in seconds
- Sanding finer than 220 before stain; it burnishes the surface
- Machines that take a different belt length; a 4" x 60" belt will not fit a 36" or 48" machine
Specifications
| Size | 4" x 60" (approx. 100 x 1524 mm) |
|---|---|
| Abrasive grain | Heat-treated aluminum oxide |
| Backing | Poly-cotton cloth |
| Coat | Closed coat |
| Joint | Cloth belt joint; check for a direction arrow before mounting |
| Grits offered | 36, 40, 60, 80, 120, 150, 180, 220, 320 |
| Pack quantity | 6 belts, one grit per pack |
| Wet or dry | Both (machine permitting) |
| Converted in | Anaheim, California |
| Custom sizes | Any 4" wide length, and zirconia or silicon carbide in this size, made to order in about 3 days |
Frequently asked questions
Will a 4" x 60" belt fit my 4" x 36" bench sander?
No. A 4" x 60" belt is 24 inches longer than a 4" x 36" belt and the rollers cannot take up that much slack. Belt length has to match the machine within about 1/4". Measure an old belt or check the manual, and if your machine takes 4" x 36", order that size instead.
Why is only aluminum oxide offered in 4" x 60"?
Aluminum oxide is what nearly every buyer of this size needs: bench sanders run at light pressure, and aluminum oxide keeps cutting under those conditions while zirconia only self-sharpens under heavy load. If you need zirconia for steel or silicon carbide for plastics in 4" x 60", we can make either to order in about 3 days.
Which grit should I start with on a bench sander for hardwood?
Start at 80 grit on clean, planed stock; it removes saw marks quickly without leaving a scratch you struggle to remove. Drop to 40 or 60 only for rough-sawn edges or heavy shaping. Then step to 120 or 150, and finish at 180–220 before stain or clear coat.
Can I sand aluminum with these 4" x 60" belts?
Yes. Aluminum oxide handles aluminum, brass and mild steel at bench-sander pressure. Aluminum loads the grain, so use a crepe belt eraser often, keep the part moving, and consider a grease stick on the running belt to reduce heat and clogging. Use a dedicated collector for metal dust; never mix it with wood dust.
Is the backing cloth or paper, and can it be run wet?
It is cloth. The belts are built on a poly-cotton backing, a polyester and cotton blend that resists tearing, holds its shape on the rollers and can be run wet or dry. Whether you should run wet depends on your machine; most bench belt sanders are dry-only tools.
How many belts come in a pack and can I mix grits?
Each pack contains six 4" x 60" belts in a single grit. Buy the grits you use most in separate packs; a typical woodworking setup is one pack each of 80, 120 and 220. For bulk or case pricing on multiple packs, call 714-646-3299 or email sales@maverickabrasives.com. Orders over $200 ship free.
How do I stop the belt from burning the wood?
Burning on a bench sander comes from too much pressure, dwelling in one spot or a belt that has loaded or dulled. Reduce pressure, keep the work moving, clean the belt with a belt eraser, and change belts once the cut slows. Cherry and maple burn first, so treat them gently at 150 grit and finer.
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