Wide Belt Sander

Tools
Model
Room	Woodworking Room
Work envelope/max capacity
Link to manual
Related tools
Trainer(s)
Training Sessions	Wide Belt Sander Training Woodworking Room Training
Knowledge keeper(s)
Training document(s)
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
Safe Work Procedure
Consumables
Software	this machine has no software listed
Equipment type	tool

Woodworking Room Precautions apply

You will be working in the Woodworking Room . In order to keep safe from hazards created by you or other workers using any of the tools in this room, the following precautions apply in addition to any other precautions: Safety Hazards Dust Noise Fire (friction from tools, polymerizing oils) Projectile (materials or tools shattering, kicking back) Laceration (sharp tools or workpieces) Entanglement (spinning parts sucking user into equipment) PPE Hearing Protection Respiratory protection (minimum N95 mask; respirator preferred) Safety Glasses Safety shoes Tie back or remove loose hair, clothing, jewelry, etc. Precautions Do Read the Safe Work Procedure and obtain North Forge approval before using the equipment for the first time. Plan cuts carefully; use safety devices (push sticks, clamps, sleds, featherboards) where required. Maintain a calm but vigilant attitude. If you are stressed or in a hurry, it’s best not to use the equipment. Tie back long hair and jewelry; remove earbuds and hoodie cords. Check the workspace for slip and trip hazards. Ensure the equipment is in good condition (guards installed and working, blades are sharp and intact, no clogs in dust extraction hoses). Make sure others in the area are aware of what you're doing. Warn any bystanders if your work can affect them. Inspect the material for cracks, knots, or debris before starting - material can shatter or kick back if it is not stable. Stand outside of any kickback zones. Check the equipment for trapped debris when done, particularly trapped beside or under blades. Use a brush and/or vacuum to clean most of the dust before finishing with compressed air. Follow instructions in Oily Rags Bins Do not Use the equipment if you are tired, intoxicated, or otherwise impaired Rush Distract operators - if you need to get someone’s attention, stand to the side and wait until they notice you. Do not wave, shout, or touch the operator. Leave the equipment with equipment still running - note that hearing protection can prevent users from hearing when the blade is/is not running. Cut or sand metal due to risk of sparks and equipment/property damage. Dispose of oily rags in the general waste bins. Housekeeping Check the working area for slip and trip hazards (sawdust, oil, offcuts) before and after working Do not leave air hoses or extension cords laying across walkways where people can trip on them Check hoses for excess sawdust or other clogs Empty the dust collector if it is filled to more than halfway up the viewing window (~1 garbage bag worth of dust) Empty waste bins if they are more than 75% full Bag waste should be less than 6x6” Blunt any sharp corners that could puncture the bag Replace waste bags after emptying Firewood bins are only for untreated wood with no paints or stains Spread oily rags out to dry and dispose of them in the oily rags bin. Return all fab lab tools to their proper locations Remove all personal tools, materials, and equipment from the room Fire code prohibits storing material in the wood room Turn off the equipment and dust collector. Turn off the room exhaust if you are the last one in the room. Room exhaust is interlocked with equipment power; turning off the exhaust will turn off all equipment in the room!

edit these instructions at Instructions:Wide Belt Sander

Purpose

The 37” wide belt sander contains a long rotating belt that runs parallel to an automatic feeding system. It is used for fine-tuning material thickness and surface finishing.

Safety

Do:

• Keep hands away from pinch points
• Watch the load indicator light to avoid equipment damage
• Feed on alternate sides of the belt (left-right) to avoid uneven wear
• Catch the workpiece as it exits the outfeed side
• Remove the finishing platen and spacer brick before changing belts

Do not:

• Try to take overly deep cuts
• Try to sand small pieces (less than 16” long x ⅜” thick) without a fixture

Emergency Stop

What does the emergency stop do? Does it just cut power or does it apply a brake? Fill in info here please.

Operating Procedure

Startup

1. Check inside equipment for trapped debris (look between belt and platen).
2. Check to see if finishing platen is installed before changing belts.
3. Measure workpiece and adjust the table to the correct height (per guide located on the sanding bed).
4. Ensure blast gates are open and turn on the room exhaust and dust collector. The equipment will not turn on if the dust collector or room exhaust is off.
5. Stand to the side of the infeed table to avoid kickback.
6. Turn on the air pressure switch and wait for the light to turn green.
7. Turn on the sander power switch (located below the air pressure switch).
8. Turn on the conveyor start switch (located below the sander power switch).
9. Adjust conveyor speed using the speed knob.

Roughing Passes

1. Load material into sander while observing the load indicator. If the load indicator illuminates, press E-STOP.
2. Workpiece may be fed at up to 45 degree angle to the grain if desired.
3. Feed on alternate sides of the belt to ensure even wear.

Finishing Passes

1. Install finishing platen
2. Feed material straight in, aligned with the grain.
3. Observe the load indicator while feeding. If the indicator illuminates, press E-STOP.

Belt Eraser

Wide belt sander eraser

The belt eraser consists of a cleaning pad attached to a piece of plywood. It is used to clean belts when changing materials to avoid cross-contamination of woods, and to prolong the life of the belt.

Caution: To avoid damage, start with the bed low and slowly raise it until the belt makes contact. Always be prepared to catch the eraser on the outfeed side so that it does not tip and grind against the belt.

1. Lower the bed to below the height indicator. With the belt and conveyor off, slide the belt eraser into the sander to ensure it does not hit the belt.
2. Turn on the belt and conveyor and begin feeding the eraser through on the left side of the belt.
3. While the eraser is feeding through, raise the bed by ⅛ turn to ¼ turn of the handle until the belt slightly makes contact.
4. When the eraser is halfway through, move to the outfeed side to catch the eraser as it comes out. Do not allow the eraser to fall off the end as it can damage the belt and eraser.
5. Move the eraser to the middle of the belt and feed through a second pass.
6. Move the eraser to the right side of the belt and feed through a third pass.
7. Raise the bed by ⅛ turn and repeat three passes: first on the left, second in the middle, third on the right.
8. Return the eraser to the hanger beside the belt storage.

Shutdown and Housekeeping

Shutdown Procedure:

1. Turn off the conveyor feed.
2. Turn off the sanding belt.
3. Wait for the belt to stop moving - note that it may be hard to tell if it has stopped moving with hearing protection on.
4. Turn off the power and dust collector.

Housekeeping:

• Finishing platen has been removed and stored on top of the sander
• Unused belts are stored on the belt pegs
• Belt eraser is stored on the wall beside the belts
• Dust has been cleaned from exterior of equipment and floor surrounding equipment
• Rollers and belts have been checked for trapped debris