6" x 168" Sanding Belts, 2 PACK
6" x 168" Sanding Belts, 2 PACK
Available in stock (50000)
Fourteen feet of 6" belt is what many metal fabrication belt sanders and long-bed edge sanders run for dressing stainless sheet edges, flattening aluminum plate, knocking down welds on frames and deburring laser-cut parts. The same loop appears on woodworking edge sanders, so we stock 6" x 168" belts in four grains rather than one: Ceramic Shredder for stainless and hardened steel, Zirconia+ (Grinding Aid) for stainless, aluminum and anything that heats up, Zirconia for carbon steel and heavy removal, and Cloth A/O for wood and for every finishing grit on metal.
All four are coated on poly-cotton cloth, X or Y weight depending on the grain, and can be run wet or dry. Two belts per pack in 24 through 600 grit, converted in Anaheim, California.
- 6" x 168" length for metal fab belt sanders and long-bed edge sanders
- Ceramic, Zirconia, Zirconia+ (Grinding Aid) and Cloth A/O in one listing
- Y-weight poly-cotton backing on the metal grains takes heavy platen pressure
- 24 to 600 grit: weld removal through pre-polish without changing suppliers
- Two belts per pack; coarse on the machine, finishing belt hanging ready
- Converted in Anaheim, California; free shipping on orders over $200
Which 6" x 168" belt material should you choose?
Start with the metal, then be honest about how much pressure and horsepower your machine can deliver. The premium grains only pay off when they are pushed.
- Ceramic (Shredder): orange-red sol-gel grain on Y-weight poly-cotton. It renews its cutting edges continuously and holds a steady cut rate through its life, which is why it is the belt for stainless steel, hardened and tool steel, and high-nickel alloys on rigid machines of 2 HP or more. It costs more than zirconia and outlasts it on hard steel under pressure. Run it light and it glazes and blues the part.
- Zirconia+ (Grinding Aid): zirconia grain on Y-weight poly-cotton with a grinding-aid coating applied over the grain, on top of the aid already in the resin bond. The coating lubricates the cut and lowers part temperature, so it is our first choice for stainless when you cannot run ceramic hard enough, and for aluminum, titanium and any job where heat tint is the problem. It outlasts plain zirconia on ferrous work.
- Zirconia: the general fabrication grain, Y-weight poly-cotton, for mild and carbon steel, weld knockdown, plate edges and heavy stock removal on aluminum or hardwood. Needs moderate to heavy pressure; offered in the 24 to 120 grit range.
- Cloth A/O: heat-treated aluminum oxide on poly-cotton cloth. The belt for wood on an edge sander, for light metal work, and the only grain here offered in 150 through 600, so it is the finishing belt on every metal after the coarse work is done. Lowest cost per belt, wet or dry.
A stainless fabricator should stock Ceramic 36 to 80 and Cloth A/O 120 to 320. A general steel shop wants Zirconia 36 to 80 and Cloth A/O 120 to 220. An aluminum shop wants Zirconia+ with a grease stick, then Cloth A/O. A woodworking edge sander wants Cloth A/O 80 to 220 and nothing else.
Grit guide for steel, stainless, aluminum and wood
| Grit | Use it for | Grain to pick |
|---|---|---|
| 24–36 | Weld removal, heavy plate, flattening castings | Ceramic, Zirconia+, Zirconia |
| 40–60 | Shaping, bevel setting, rough edge sanding on wood | Zirconia or Ceramic; A/O on wood |
| 80–100 | Blending grinder marks, deburring, general surfacing | Zirconia+ on stainless; A/O on wood |
| 120 | Last grit for zirconia and ceramic; pre-finish on wood | Switch to Cloth A/O after this |
| 150–220 | Pre-finish and graining on metal; final before stain on wood | Cloth A/O |
| 320–400 | Fine graining on stainless, satin on aluminum | Cloth A/O |
| 600 | Pre-polish before buffing | Cloth A/O |
On stainless, follow the coarse ceramic or zirconia+ pass with Cloth A/O 120, 180 and 220 and then a surface conditioning belt for a uniform grain. Never skip more than one grit; a deep scratch under a fine finish shows as a line after polishing.
What machines take a 6" x 168" belt?
- Metal fabrication belt sanders and belt grinders with a 6" wide platen and a 168" loop, used for plate edges, weld dressing, deburring sheared and laser-cut parts and graining stainless. Use a dedicated metal-rated dust collector or wet collection; steel sparks and wood dust in one collector are a fire risk.
- Long-bed oscillating edge sanders in woodworking shops that call for a 168" belt, running Cloth A/O on doors, panels and edging.
- Compact stroke sanders built around this loop length.
Confirm the length on the machine's size plate or manual, or measure the circumference of a belt that fits. The tension drum travels only a few inches, so order the exact length; we also stock 6" x 158" and 6" x 186", and any other 6" length can be converted to order.
Check the inside of the belt for a direction arrow before mounting and run it that way. Release tension, slide the belt on, tension, rotate by hand, centre the tracking, then power up and fine-tune.
How to get the most out of it
- Push the metal grains. Ceramic and zirconia sharpen by fracturing under load. Lean the part into the platen and keep it moving. Light pressure with these grains is the most common cause of glazing and blued stainless.
- Never dwell. Even with grinding aid, a part held still against a 6" belt heats in seconds. Sweep along the edge and off the end.
- Slow down and grease for aluminum. If the machine has variable speed, run aluminum slower than steel, and touch a belt grease stick to the running belt so chips do not weld into the grain.
- Stop the coarse grains at 120. Zirconia and ceramic do not leave a fine, even scratch. Switch to Cloth A/O for 150 and up, then surface conditioning if you need a directional satin.
- Use the full belt width. Move the part across the platen and vary the table height on an edge sander so one band of grain is not doing all the work.
- Run wet only on machines built for it. The poly-cotton backing tolerates coolant on belt grinders with wet systems, which helps on stainless and aluminum. Keep woodworking edge sanders dry.
- Keep wood belts and metal belts apart. A Cloth A/O belt that has done aluminum will leave grey marks on stain-grade wood. Label the spare.
- Store hanging. A folded cloth belt takes a set that thumps on the platen. Hang spares over a large peg, away from sun and humidity, and let cold belts warm before running.
Use it for / don't use it for
Use it for
- Stainless sheet and plate edges, weld dressing and graining (Ceramic or Zirconia+, then Cloth A/O)
- Mild and carbon steel weld knockdown, plate edges, deburring (Zirconia 24–120)
- Hardened, tool and high-alloy steel on rigid 2 HP+ machines (Ceramic 24–80)
- Aluminum plate, extrusions and castings with grease stick (Zirconia+ or Zirconia)
- Titanium and heat-sensitive alloys (Zirconia+)
- Cabinet doors, panels and edging on a woodworking edge sander (Cloth A/O 80–220)
- Fine graining and pre-polish on metal (Cloth A/O 320–600)
Don't use it for
- Ceramic on an underpowered or flexible machine, or with light hand pressure
- Zirconia or ceramic above 120 grit expecting a finish
- Steel sparks and wood dust in one collector
- A belt with a lifted or cracked joint
- Wet running on a machine not built for coolant
Specifications
| Size | 6" wide x 168" long (14 ft) |
|---|---|
| Abrasive grains | Ceramic Shredder, Zirconia, Zirconia+ (Grinding Aid), Cloth A/O (heat-treated aluminum oxide) |
| Backing | Poly-cotton cloth, X or Y weight by grain; Y-weight on Ceramic, Zirconia and Zirconia+ |
| Coat | Closed coat |
| Joint | Check inside of belt for direction arrow before mounting |
| Grits offered | 24, 36, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 120, 150, 180, 220, 320, 400, 600 (range varies by grain; see selector) |
| Pack quantity | 2 belts |
| Wet or dry | Both |
| Machine type | Metal fab belt sanders, long-bed edge sanders, compact stroke sanders |
| Converted in | Anaheim, California |
| Custom sizes | Any 6" length made to order in about 3 days |
Frequently asked questions
Ceramic or Zirconia+ (Grinding Aid) for stainless steel?
Ceramic if your machine is rigid, 2 HP or more, and you can lean into the belt; it cuts fastest and lasts longest on stainless under pressure. Zirconia+ (Grinding Aid) if the machine is lighter or the parts are thin, because the grinding-aid coating keeps the part cooler at moderate pressure and is more forgiving of a light touch.
Do I really need a 2 HP machine to run ceramic?
For ceramic to work as intended, yes, or close to it. The grain only stays sharp when it is loaded hard enough to micro-fracture. On a light machine it rides on the surface, polishes instead of cuts, and dumps heat into the part. On that kind of machine buy Zirconia or Zirconia+ instead and save the difference.
Why is my stainless turning blue under the belt?
Heat. The usual causes are too little pressure with a ceramic or zirconia belt, dwelling in one spot, a glazed or worn belt, or no coolant. Press harder and keep the part moving, switch to Zirconia+ (Grinding Aid) if you cannot push harder, and change the belt when the cut slows. Blued stainless has lost its corrosion resistance at the surface and must be re-ground.
Can I use the Cloth A/O belt on a woodworking edge sander?
Yes. Cloth A/O is heat-treated aluminum oxide on poly-cotton cloth and is the correct belt for hardwood, plywood and MDF on a 6" x 168" edge sander. Keep 80, 120 and 180 on hand, sand with light pressure and steady feed, and do not use the same belt on metal afterward.
What is the difference between X-weight and Y-weight backing?
Both are poly-cotton cloth. X-weight is the standard heavy backing for belts under normal pressure; Y-weight is heavier and stiffer, made for the high pressure a metal grinding belt sees on a platen. The Ceramic, Zirconia and Zirconia+ belts in this size are Y-weight; the Cloth A/O is on the cloth appropriate to its lighter duty.
Which grits come in which material?
Zirconia is stocked in the 24 to 120 range and the ceramic and grinding-aid belts cover the coarse to medium grits where those grains work. Cloth A/O carries the fine end, 150 through 600. The selector on this page shows what is in stock for each material, and other combinations can be converted to order.
How many belts per pack, and is there bulk pricing?
Two 6" x 168" belts of one material and grit per pack. Orders over $200 ship free. Fabrication shops running these daily can get bulk or case pricing by calling 714-646-3299 or emailing sales@maverickabrasives.com, and any other 6" length can be converted in about three days.
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