6" x 108" Sanding Belts, 2 PACK
6" x 108" Sanding Belts, 2 PACK
Available in stock (49987)
Nine feet of belt on a 6" wide loop is what a long-bed edge sander runs, and it is also a common size on the belt heads of metal fabrication sanders that dress plate edges and deburr sheared parts. We manufacture 6" x 108" belts in our Anaheim, California facility with heat-treated aluminum oxide on an X-weight poly-cotton cloth, a backing heavy enough for platen work and tolerant of wet running.
Aluminum oxide is the stock grain in this size because most 6" x 108" machines are woodworking edge sanders, where it gives the cleanest edge and the longest life. It also handles aluminum, brass and light steel deburring. Grits run 40 through 320, belts ship two to a pack, and zirconia in this length can be converted to order for shops doing heavy steel work.
- Heat-treated aluminum oxide on X-weight poly-cotton cloth, made in Anaheim, California
- Built for long-bed edge sanders and 6" belt heads on metal fabrication sanders
- 40 through 320 grit: edge truing through the final pass before finish
- Cloth backing can be run wet or dry
- Two belts per pack; free shipping on orders over $200
- Zirconia in 6" x 108" and other 6" lengths made to order in about 3 days
Which 6" x 108" belt should you choose?
One stock grain, so the decision is grit, and whether your work calls for a custom grain.
- Aluminum Oxide (stock): the right grain for wood, MDF, plywood, plastics, solid surface and non-ferrous metals on an edge sander. It cuts at the moderate pressure these machines apply, leaves an even scratch pattern that takes stain and paint well, and lasts longer on wood than any other grain. On steel it is the budget choice for light deburring and cleanup; for heavy stock removal on steel, ask about zirconia.
- 40 to 60 grit: truing rough edges, removing saw marks and shaping on the end drum.
- 80 to 120 grit: squaring and fitting edges, removing the coarse scratch, general deburring on aluminum.
- 150 to 220 grit: pre-finish and final pass before stain, clear coat or paint.
- 320 grit: fine finishing on plastics, solid surface and metal; finer than you want before stain on wood.
- Zirconia (custom): the previous version of this page described a zirconia belt on a Y-weight polyester backing for heavy stock removal on aluminum and steel. It is not stocked in 6" x 108" but we convert it to order in coarse and medium grits.
Grit guide for edge sanding and light metal work
| Grit | Use it for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | Rough edges, heavy shaping, plate edge cleanup | Light passes on wood; easy to overshoot |
| 60 | Saw and jointer marks, squaring to a line | Common first grit on solid wood |
| 80 | General edge truing, aluminum deburring | Where most edge sanding is done |
| 120 | Removing the coarse scratch; start here on veneer | Pre-finish for paint-grade work |
| 150–180 | Pre-finish before stain | Light pressure, keep the part moving |
| 220 | Final pass before stain or clear | Do not go finer for stain |
| 320 | Fine finishing on plastics, solid surface, metal | Burnishes wood before stain |
What machines take a 6" x 108" belt?
- Long-bed oscillating edge sanders whose manual specifies a 6" x 108" belt, used for door, panel and drawer front edges in cabinet shops.
- Metal fabrication sanders and deburring machines with a 6" belt head sized for a 108" loop, dressing plate edges and sheared or laser-cut parts.
- Stroke-type and combination sanders set up with a 6" x 108" belt.
Confirm the length in your manual before ordering; 6" belts are made in many lengths and a 108" belt will not tension on a machine built for a different nominal length. Check the inside of the belt for a direction arrow before mounting. To fit: release the tension, uncoil the belt and let it relax flat, hang it over both drums with any arrow pointing in the direction of travel, re-tension, then rotate by hand while adjusting tracking until it runs centred on the platen.
How to get the most out of it
- Square the table to the platen after every belt change and check it with a square; a long belt hides a slight taper until the door is hung.
- Feed steadily along the platen and keep the part moving. A 108" belt runs cool, but dwelling still dishes an edge and burns maple and cherry.
- Keep oscillation on if the machine has it, so wear spreads across the belt height instead of grooving at the table line.
- Use the end drum for curves, rolling the part steadily across it; never sand a curve against the platen.
- On aluminum, run wet if the machine allows it or rub a grease stick on the belt, and slow the feed. Aluminum loads an aluminum oxide belt fast when it is run dry and hot.
- Keep wood dust and metal sparks apart. If the same machine sees both, clean the collector between jobs or use a dedicated metal-rated collector.
- Clean loaded belts with a crepe rubber belt eraser at low pressure with the belt running, and keep extraction connected.
- Store belts hanging or loosely coiled in the box, never folded, and let a cold belt warm to room temperature before mounting.
Use it for / don't use it for
Use it for
- Truing and squaring cabinet door, panel and drawer front edges
- Removing saw and jointer marks from solid wood, plywood and MDF
- Shaping curved parts on the end drum
- Deburring and edge cleanup on aluminum, brass and light steel parts
- Edge finishing on plastics and solid surface
- Wet sanding where the machine is set up for it
Don't use it for
- Heavy weld removal or thick steel plate; order zirconia in this size instead
- Sanding panel faces; the platen is for edges
- Grits finer than 220 before stain on wood
- Machines built for a different 6" belt length
Specifications
| Size | 6" wide x 108" long |
|---|---|
| Abrasive grain | Heat-treated aluminum oxide (zirconia to order) |
| Backing | X-weight poly-cotton cloth |
| Coat | Closed coat |
| Joint | Check the inside of the belt for a direction arrow before mounting |
| Grits offered | 40, 60, 80, 120, 150, 180, 220, 320 |
| Pack quantity | 2 belts |
| Wet or dry | Both |
| Made in | Anaheim, California |
| Custom sizes | Any width and length made to order in about 3 days |
Frequently asked questions
Can a 6" x 108" aluminum oxide belt be used on metal?
Yes, for aluminum, brass and light steel deburring and edge cleanup. The heat-treated aluminum oxide and X-weight poly-cotton cloth handle it, and the belt can be run wet to keep aluminum from loading. For weld removal or heavy stock removal on steel, zirconia in this size is a better choice and we convert it to order.
Can these belts be run wet?
Yes. The poly-cotton cloth backing is not harmed by water or coolant, so a 6" x 108" belt can run wet on machines set up for it. Wet running helps most on aluminum and plastics, where it carries heat away and stops the grain packing up. Woodworking edge sanders run dry.
How do I confirm my edge sander takes a 6" x 108" belt?
Check the manual or the label on the machine; 6" belts come in many lengths and only the correct nominal length will tension and track. If neither is available, cut the old belt at the joint and measure it flat: a 108" belt measures 108" (9 feet). If your machine needs a different 6" length, we make it to order in about 3 days.
Which grit should I keep on the machine for cabinet doors?
Most shops leave 80 grit on for squaring and fitting, then change to 150 or 180 for the last pass before stain or paint. Use 40 or 60 only for rough-sawn edges and heavy shaping, and do not go finer than 220 before stain because the edge burnishes and takes stain unevenly.
Do you stock zirconia in 6" x 108"?
Not as a stock item. The previous version of this page described a zirconia belt on Y-weight polyester for heavy stock removal on aluminum and steel; we still make it, but as a custom conversion in coarse and medium grits. Email sales@maverickabrasives.com or call 714-646-3299 with the grit you need and we will quote it.
How should a nine-foot belt be stored?
Leave it loosely coiled in its box or hang it over a large-diameter peg, away from humidity and sunlight, and let it come to room temperature before mounting. Never fold a long belt or lean it on edge on a concrete floor; a crease or a damp edge will not track and thumps on every revolution.
How many belts per pack, and what are the shipping and return terms?
Two belts of one grit per pack. Orders over $200 ship free, and unused belts in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days. For case quantities or a mixed-grit order for a production edge sander, call 714-646-3299 or email sales@maverickabrasives.com for bulk pricing.
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