6" x 78-3/4" Sanding Belts, 4 PACK

78-3/4 inches is 2000 millimetres, so this is the belt for metric-built machines that call for a 150 x 2000 mm belt: European and Asian edge sanders, belt grinders and combination machines that ended up in American metal and wood shops. We convert these 6" x 78-3/4" belts in Anaheim, California in four grains aimed at metal: ceramic (Shredder) for stainless and hardened steel, zirconia for carbon steel and aluminum, zirconia+ with grinding aid for ferrous work that runs hot, and cloth aluminum oxide for budget grinding and every grit finer than 120.

Grits run from 24 to 600, four belts to a pack, on Y-weight polyester and poly-cotton backings that take real pressure and can be run wet or dry.

• Exact fit for machines that specify a 150 x 2000 mm belt
• Ceramic, zirconia, zirconia+ grinding aid and aluminum oxide in one size
• Y-weight polyester and poly-cotton backings for high-pressure grinding
• 24–600 grit covers weld removal through pre-polish
• Wet or dry on every grain
• Pack of 4; converted in Anaheim, California; free shipping over $200

Which 6" x 78-3/4" belt should you choose?

• Ceramic (Shredder): stainless steel, tool steel, hardened parts and anything that runs hot. The red-orange grain fractures continuously under load and holds a steady cut rate for its whole life, which is why it lowers cost per part on hard ferrous work even though it costs more per belt than zirconia. It needs a rigid machine and firm pressure; run it light and it glazes.
• Zirconia: carbon and mild steel, general fabrication, heavy stock removal on aluminum. Y-weight poly-cotton backing. Offered in 24 through 120 grit; it stops fracturing usefully above 120, so finish with aluminum oxide.
• Zirconia+ (Grinding Aid): zirconia with a grinding-aid layer applied over the resin bond. The aid lubricates and cools the cut, so stainless and other ferrous metals stay below the temperature where they blue or work-harden, and the belt outlasts plain zirconia on that work. Y-weight polyester backing. Our pick for stainless sheet and tube when ceramic is more belt than the job needs.
• Cloth A/O: aluminum oxide on poly-cotton. The lowest-cost grain, adequate on aluminum and mild steel at moderate pressure, and the only grain here offered from 150 through 600 grit, so it is the finishing and graining belt for every material. Also the belt to use if the machine is doing woodwork that day.

Grit availability differs by grain, so check the selector. Anything not listed in this size can be made to order.

Grit guide for metal on an edge sander or belt grinder

Never skip more than one grit. On stainless that will be brushed or polished, a jump from 80 to 220 leaves scratches that show through the finish.

What machines take a 6" x 78-3/4" belt?

• Metric edge sanders and oscillating edge sanders whose manual lists a 150 x 2000 mm belt. Many European and Asian-built machines use this size.
• Belt grinders and combination belt/disc machines built to the same 2000 mm belt length.
• Metal fabrication edge and backstand grinders set up for a 6" wide belt of this length.

Fitment notes: 78-3/4" and 79" are different belts. Most machines tolerate about 1/4" of length variation, so a machine that specifies 2000 mm should get this belt; if your manual says 6 x 79, see our 6" x 79" listing. Measure an old belt around the outside if in doubt. Check the inside of the belt for a direction arrow before mounting; if there is none the joint runs either way. Track the belt at low speed with no load, and use a dedicated metal-rated collector or wet collection for steel dust.

How to get the most out of it

1. Load ceramic and zirconia properly. These grains only self-sharpen under pressure. Light contact rounds the grain and puts the heat into the part; a blued stainless panel is the classic sign of a ceramic belt run too light.
2. Keep the part moving along the platen or contact wheel. Dwelling heats one spot, discolours stainless and glazes the belt.
3. Slow down and lubricate for aluminum. A lower belt speed, the zirconia+ grinding aid, or a grease stick on the running belt keeps aluminum from packing the grain.
4. Run wet where the machine allows it. All four backings tolerate coolant, which drops part temperature and keeps fine belts cutting.
5. Switch grain at 120. Heavy work on ceramic or zirconia, finishing on aluminum oxide from 150 up. Using a coarse grain for finishing costs more and finishes worse.
6. Keep wood and metal dust separate if the same edge sander sees both. Sparks and wood dust in one collector are a fire risk.
7. Store belts hanging on a large-radius peg or loosely coiled, away from humidity and sunlight, and let cold belts warm before running.

Use it for / don't use it for

Use it for

• Weld knockdown and scale removal on carbon steel
• Stainless grinding, blending and graining (ceramic or zirconia+)
• Aluminum extrusion, plate and casting clean-up
• Hardened and tool steel where a steady cut rate matters (ceramic)
• Edge sanding wood on the same machine with the aluminum oxide belt

Don't use it for

• Ceramic or zirconia on light-duty machines that cannot load the grain
• Fine finishing with zirconia or ceramic; use aluminum oxide above 120 grit
• Zirconia or ceramic on wood; they tear and burn where aluminum oxide sands cleanly
• Machines built for a 79" or 80" belt if they will not accept a 1/4" shorter belt

Specifications

Frequently asked questions

Related products and guides

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• 6" x 79" Sanding Belts, 4 pack
• 6" x 80" Sanding Belts, 2 pack
• Grease Stick for sanding belts (aluminum and non-ferrous)
• Custom sanding belts, any size, made in about 3 days