The Difference Between Belt Sanders vs Belt Grinders

What Is Belt Sanding?

• Purpose: Belt sanding is typically used for finishing operations where the goal is to produce smooth surfaces, prepare them for painting, or remove light material like paint, rust, or burrs.
• Application: Belt sanding is commonly used on wood, softer metals, plastics, and composites. The focus is on achieving a fine, smooth surface rather than heavy material removal.
• Abrasive Belts: Sanding belts are usually finer in grit, ranging from coarse to very fine, depending on the level of smoothness required.
• Pressure and Speed: Belt sanding often involves lighter pressure and lower speeds, which reduces the risk of overheating or damaging the surface. Belt sanders will typically operate at speeds less than 2500 surface feet per minute (SFM) and are powered by small fractional motors.
• Outcome: The result is a polished, smooth surface ready for further finishing processes like painting or sealing.

What is Belt Grinding?

• Purpose: Belt grinding is a more aggressive process used for heavy material removal, shaping, and deburring. It is designed for tougher, more demanding applications.
• Application: Belt grinding is often used on harder materials like metals (steel, stainless steel, aluminum) and is common in fabrication, metalworking, and industrial applications. Belt grinding is suitable for shaping, beveling, deburring, and sharpening.
• Abrasive Belts: Grinding belts are typically coarser, with lower grit numbers, designed for quick removal of material and heavy-duty applications.
• Pressure and Speed: Belt grinding requires higher pressure and speed, which makes it more effective for heavy material removal. However, it can generate more heat, which must be managed to avoid damaging the workpiece. Belt grinders will operate over 5,000 SFM and as fast as 8,000 SFM, and will come with larger more powerful motors.
• Outcome: The result is a rougher surface with material efficiently removed, often in preparation for further refinement or for shaping and forming parts.

How Burr King Belt Sanders & Grinders Work

All Burr King belt grinders can function as belt sanders, with the addition of a variable speed controller. The variable speed controller allows the operator to slow the machine down making the Burr King grinder an effective belt sander.

Burr King’s belt grinders, like the Model 760, Model 960-250 and the rest of the Burr King belt grinder line are built for heavy-duty grinding tasks. They are robust, powerful machines designed for industrial use, capable of handling tough grinding jobs, and suitable for a wide range of materials.

How to Choose Between a Belt Sander vs a Belt Grinder

There are three essential factors in selecting the proper machine for your application:

1. Belt Speed
2. Horse Power
3. Ability to Apply Force

If you take away any one of these three factors you are no longer grinding, you are sanding. When choosing between a belt grinder and a belt sander, you also need to consider:

• Material Removal: Belt grinding is more aggressive and removes more material than belt sanding.
• Surface Finish: Belt sanding produces smoother, finer surfaces, while belt grinding leaves a rougher finish but accomplishes faster material removal.
• Applications: Sanding is for finishing. Grinding is for shaping, deburring, and heavy material removal.
• Construction: Belt sanders often are built from fabricated components and sheet metal. Belt grinders require a more rugged construction that will include cast aluminum or heavy gauge steel.
• Surface Feet Per Minute: Belt sanders operate at slower speeds than a belt grinder. Belt grinders will typically operate at speeds 2-3 times faster than a belt sander.
• Power: Sanders will have limited horsepower. Most sanders will have motors that are small and underpowered for the application. Belt grinders will feature powerful motors that provide the necessary horsepower to grind metal efficiently.

When choosing between belt sanding and belt grinding, the decision will depend on the nature of your workpiece, the material you’re working with, and the desired outcome. Burr King machines are designed to meet a variety of these needs. A Burr King belt grinder can serve not only as a belt grinder, but also as a fully capable belt sanding machine, allowing you to take full advantage of your Burr King equipment.

Work with Our Experts

The Burr King team are experts in our industry and will work with you to ensure you select the machine perfect for your needs. Want more information on Burr King belt grinders? Contact us today!