Sandpaper Selection; Surface Sanding On The Sanding Belt - RIDGID R4840 Operator's Manual

SANDPAPER SELECTION

Selecting the correct diameter, correct grit, and correct type of
sandpaper is an extremely important step in achieving a high
quality sanded finish. Aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, and other
synthetic abrasives are best for power sanding. Natural abrasives,
such as flint and garnet, are too soft for economical use in power
sanding.
In general, coarse grit will remove the most material and finer
grit will produce the best finish in all sanding operations. The
condition of the surface to be sanded will determine which grit
will do the job. If the surface is rough, start with a coarse grit and
sand until the surface is uniform. Medium grit may then be used
to remove scratches left by the coarser grit and finer grit used for
finishing of the surface. Always continue sanding with each grit
until surface is uniform.
1/2 inch 3/4 inch 1 inch
SURFACE SANDING ON THE
SANDING BELT
Maintain 1/16 in maximum clearance between table and sanding
belt or disc. When checking clearance between the sanding belt
and backstop, press the sanding belt flat against the metal bed
beneath it. Hold the workpiece firmly with both hands, keeping
fingers away from the sanding belt. KEEP the end butted against
the backstop and move the work evenly across the sanding belt.
Use caution when sanding very thin pieces. For sanding long
pieces the backstop can be rotated out of the way. Apply only
enough pressure to allow the sanding belt to remove material.
See Figure 18.
OPERATION
NOTE: DO NOT use sander without sandpaper. Doing so will
damage the rubber drum. Select and install the desired sanding
sleeve for your particular application. Sanding sleeves from 1/2
inch to 2 inch can be used with this sander. See Figure 17. Choose
one that is close in size to the workpiece you are sanding. Also
install the appropriate spacer ring insert (page 16).
with its matching sanding sleeve could result in fingers being
pinched or the workpiece being pulled down between the spacer
ring insert and sanding sleeve.
NOTE: The correct size sanding belt is 4 inch x 24 inch. These
belts are available in coarse, medium and fine grits.
1-1/2 inch 2 inch
FIGURE 17
21
Failure to use the correct size spacer ring insert
4 inch x 24 inch Sanding Belt
FIGURE 18