# Tool Tutorial

(Link to PDF Tool Tutorial)

## Usage Highlights

<div class="section_highlight_wrapper" id="bkmrk-safety-care-cleanup-"><div class="level1"><div class="table sectionedit3"><table class="inline"><tbody><tr class="row0"><td class="col0 leftalign">**Safety**</td><td class="col1 leftalign">**Care**</td><td class="col2 leftalign">**Cleanup**</td></tr><tr class="row1"><td class="col0">—————————————————-</td><td class="col1">————————————————————————————————————</td><td class="col2">———————————————</td></tr><tr class="row2"><td class="col0 leftalign">1. Keep materials flat to the table</td><td class="col1 leftalign">1. Use the entire width of the abrasive belt</td><td class="col2">1. Brush the dust from the machine surfaces</td></tr><tr class="row3"><td class="col0">2. Do not angle materials upward into the abrasive</td><td class="col1 leftalign">2. Regularly clean out the sawdust from the abrasive using the eraser</td><td class="col2 leftalign">2. Sweep the floor surrounding the machine</td></tr><tr class="row4"><td class="col0">3. Do not use the other table as a storage surface</td><td class="col1 leftalign">3. Make sure the abrasive belt is tracking in the middle of it’s wheels</td><td class="col2 leftalign"> </td></tr><tr class="row5"><td class="col0 leftalign"> </td><td class="col1">4. Submit a [maintenance request](https://protohaven.org/maintenance "https://protohaven.org/maintenance") when needed.</td><td class="col2 leftalign"> </td></tr></tbody></table>

</div></div></div>## Personal Protective Equipment

Safety glasses must always be worn. Hearing protection is highly recommended in the workshop, especially when the dust collection fan is active.

## Tool Anatomy

For more visit the manufacturers website and user manual both linked at the top of this document.

<div class="section_highlight_wrapper" id="bkmrk--1"></div>1\. **Power Switch** - on/off switch

[![](https://protohaven.org/wiki/_media/tools/beltdisc-power.jpg?w=400&tok=925582)](https://protohaven.org/wiki/_detail/tools/beltdisc-power.jpg?id=tools%3Abelt_and_disk_sander%3Astart "tools:beltdisc-power.jpg")

2\. **Maintenance Tag** - Manually tracks the usability status with Green/Yellow/Red cards <span style="background-color: rgb(241, 196, 15);">TODO update</span>

3\. **Belt Abrasive** - Moves constantly downward past the table. These belts are 6” wide and 48” long. There is a graphite platen behind the belt to help support it horizontally without building up excessive heat from friction.

[![](https://protohaven.org/wiki/_media/tools/beltdisc-belt.jpg?w=400&tok=7688ad)](https://protohaven.org/wiki/_detail/tools/beltdisc-belt.jpg?id=tools%3Abelt_and_disk_sander%3Astart "tools:beltdisc-belt.jpg")

4\. **Belt Table** - provides a stable platform on which to hold your work. Can be tilted between 90 and 135 degrees to the abrasive.

5\. **Belt tracking knobs** - Used to center the belt’s tracking with regards to the drive wheels and platen. The lock knobs can be released, then the tracking screws adjusted slowly to move the belt left and right while the machine is powered on. Both screws should be touching the housing when properly adjusted. Lock the knobs back into place once they are situated properly.

[![](https://protohaven.org/wiki/_media/tools/beltdisc-knobs.jpg?w=400&tok=dfb554)](https://protohaven.org/wiki/_detail/tools/beltdisc-knobs.jpg?id=tools%3Abelt_and_disk_sander%3Astart "tools:beltdisc-knobs.jpg")

6\. **Belt tension release** - The machine must be off and unplugged before using this lever. Pulling it towards you will release all tension on the belt, allowing it to be removed from the left side door of the housing.

[![](https://protohaven.org/wiki/_media/tools/beltdisc-tension.jpg?w=400&tok=f52156)](https://protohaven.org/wiki/_detail/tools/beltdisc-tension.jpg?id=tools%3Abelt_and_disk_sander%3Astart "tools:beltdisc-tension.jpg")

7\. **Lower Guide Block** - Just below the throat plate sit the lower blade guides, consisting of two Guide Blocks and one Thrust Bearing.

8\. **Disc Abrasive** - Provides a very flat surface as a reference, and has an exposed edge that allows it to reach into the corners that the belt abrasive cannot. Rotates counterclockwise. 12” disc attached with pressure activated adhesive.

9\. **Disc Table** - Provides a stable platform on which to hold your work when using the disc abrasive. Can be tilted between 90 and 135 degrees to the abrasive.

[![](https://protohaven.org/wiki/_media/tools/beltdisc-table.jpg?w=400&tok=ebd6b6)](https://protohaven.org/wiki/_detail/tools/beltdisc-table.jpg?id=tools%3Abelt_and_disk_sander%3Astart "tools:beltdisc-table.jpg")

## Tool Safety

<div class="section_highlight_wrapper" id="bkmrk--7"></div>### COMMON HAZARDS

The abrasive belt and disc will be constantly trying to pull your workpiece downward into the gap between the abrasive and the table. If your workpiece is pulled into the gap, it may draw your fingers in with it, leading to debraiding and potentially amputation. Maintain a firm grip on the workpiece, and keep it held flat to the table to prevent it from being pulled in by the machine.

[![](https://protohaven.org/wiki/_media/tools/beltdisc-hazard.jpg?w=400&tok=41a1f6)](https://protohaven.org/wiki/_detail/tools/beltdisc-hazard.jpg?id=tools%3Abelt_and_disk_sander%3Astart "tools:beltdisc-hazard.jpg")

Thin, flexible materials may still get pulled down into the crack between the abrasive and the table even when held tightly, so use particular caution with those materials. If needed, use a thicker sacrificial piece below a thin workpiece to provide support.

If a workpiece is presented to the abrasive in an upward-facing angle, it can be forcibly pushed down and out away from the machine, posing an impaling hazard. Keep the workpiece flat against the table. Angled sanding can be done by flipping the workpiece on edge and presenting it at a 45 degree angle, or by angling the entire table.

<div class="section_highlight_wrapper" id="bkmrk--9"></div>### PROHIBITED MATERIALS

Materials that are reclaimed may be painted with lead paint. Do not sand any materials that might possibly contain lead.

Metals are not permitted on the wood shop sanding equipment. Sparks generated pose a fire hazard due to the sawdust around the machine and in the dust collection system. Metals will also quickly wear out the abrasives and the graphite platen found behind the belt sander.

## Initial Setup

<div class="section_highlight_wrapper" id="bkmrk--10"></div>### SETUP CHECKLIST

1\. **Check for foreign objects**

2\. **Verify that the belt tracking**

3\. **Clean the abrasive surfaces**

<div class="section_highlight_wrapper" id="bkmrk--11"></div>### SETUP BREAKDOWN

<div class="section_highlight_wrapper" id="bkmrk--12"></div>#### Check for foreign objects

Before turning on the machine, verify that nothing has been left on the tables. It is easy to overlook something left on the table surface that you are not actively using. An object left on one of the tables can easily get jammed in the machine or be thrown across the shop.

<div class="section_highlight_wrapper" id="bkmrk--13"></div>#### Verify the belt tracking

Look at where the belt is sitting with regard to the top roller and the platen. It should be tracking centrally, and not touching any part of the frame of the machine.

Turn on the machine and verify that the tracking does not change when the belt is moving.

If the belt tracking is not centered, unlock the tracking adjustment knobs and **SLOWLY** make **SMALL** adjustments to the knobs. Allow the belt to settle into it’s new position before making more adjustments. Once the belt is running in the center of the rollers and platen, verify that both adjustment knobs are touching the housing. It is common for one knob to be in contact with the housing and the other to be floating a bit away from the housing. Once both knobs are touching the housing, lock the knobs securely.

<div class="section_highlight_wrapper" id="bkmrk--14"></div>#### Clean the abrasive surfaces

Look at the abrasives and see if they are clogged with sawdust. If sawdust is beginning to build up in the abrasive, touch the eraser lightly to the abrasive to pull out the sawdust and expose fresh grit.

Sawdust that has been overly compacted will form solid chunks that stick out from the surface of the abrasive and cause heat build-up due to friction between the sawdust and the workpiece. Once these have formed the abrasive usually needs to be replaced. If the abrasive is used after these build-ups have formed, they will scorch and turn black as they burn, and will leave a poor finish on the workpiece.

Submit a maintenance request if the abrasive needs to be replaced.

<div class="section_highlight_wrapper" id="bkmrk--15"></div>### CONSUMABLES

The shop is responsible for replacing the belt and disc abrasive.

## Basic Operation

<div class="section_highlight_wrapper" id="bkmrk--16"></div>### OPERATION CHECKLIST

1\. **Open** dust gate

2\. **Power on** Dust Collection

3\. Place the workpiece on the table

4\. Touch the workpiece to the abrasive

5\. Clean the abrasive as needed

<div class="section_highlight_wrapper" id="bkmrk--17"></div>### OPERATION BREAKDOWN

<div class="section_highlight_wrapper" id="bkmrk--18"></div>#### Open dust gate

<div class="section_highlight_wrapper" id="bkmrk--19"></div>#### Power on Dust Collection

<div class="section_highlight_wrapper" id="bkmrk--20"></div>#### Place the workpiece on the table

Set the piece flat on the table and make sure you have free range of motion to complete your task.

<div class="section_highlight_wrapper" id="bkmrk--21"></div>#### Touch the workpiece to the abrasive

If using the belt, use a gentle sweeping motion across the entire width of the abrasive while sanding. This will ensure that the belt will wear and stretch at the same rate, preventing premature tearing and buckling of the belt.

If using the disc, stay toward the front/left edge of the disc, where it is moving downward with relation to the table. Using the back/right edge of the disc will cause the workpiece to be lifted from the table. Avoid the middle of the disc, as it will tend to draw the piece toward the back of the disc, again causing it to lift from the table.

<div class="section_highlight_wrapper" id="bkmrk--22"></div>#### Clean the abrasive as needed

Keep an eye on the abrasive as you sand, and use the eraser to pull the sawdust out of the abrasive if it begins to get clogged.

## Cleanup

<div class="section_highlight_wrapper" id="bkmrk--23"></div>### CLEANUP CHECKLIST

1\. **Brush** the dust off of the machine surfaces

2\. **Sweep** the dust from around the machine

## Maintenance Requests

If you encounter any of the issues listed in the Inspection area or have any other issues with the sander not working properly

<div class="section_highlight_wrapper" id="bkmrk-update-the-physical-"><div class="level3">- <div class="li">Update the physical Maintenance Tag at the machine</div>
    - <div class="li">🟢Green can be used without issue</div>
    - <div class="li">🟡Yellow can be used withcaution</div>
    - <div class="li">⛔Red cannot be used without hazard to either the user or the equipment</div>
- <div class="li">Record issues at [https://protohaven.org/maintenance](https://protohaven.org/maintenance "https://protohaven.org/maintenance"). This notifies our staff and volunteer maintenance crew of any issues.</div>

</div></div>## Troubleshooting

<div class="section_highlight_wrapper" id="bkmrk-common-issues-possib"><div class="level2"><div class="table sectionedit31"><table class="inline"><tbody><tr class="row0"><td class="col0 leftalign">**Common Issues**</td><td class="col1">**Possible Causes**</td><td class="col2 leftalign">**Resolutions**</td></tr><tr class="row1"><td class="col0">————————————————–</td><td class="col1">———————</td><td class="col2">————————————————————————————–</td></tr><tr class="row2"><td class="col0 leftalign">The abrasive does not sand as fast as it should</td><td class="col1 leftalign">Clogged abrasive</td><td class="col2">Use the eraser to unclog the abrasive Submit a maintenance request for new abrasive</td></tr><tr class="row3"><td class="col0">Abrasive belt is rubbing against machine housing</td><td class="col1 leftalign">Tracking is off</td><td class="col2 leftalign">Adjust tracking, or submit a maintenance request if help is needed.</td></tr></tbody></table>

</div></div></div>