There are many things to consider when selecting what sandpaper or coated abrasive to use. You will need to consider what mineral is going to work best for what your needs are, what backing material do you need and much more. To break it down the easiest way there are 4 main categories of sandpaper that are commonly talked about, Aluminum Oxide, Silicon Carbide, Zirconia, and Ceramic. Each of these can be found with different backing materials to create a different flex or stiffness.

Aluminum Oxide – Open Coat/Closed Coat

Used On: Non Ferrous Metal, Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Hardwood and Softwood.

Aluminum oxide is the most common sandpaper or coated abrasive on the market. The grain consists of the durable furnace-produced mineral that does not break down easy, instead the mineral is designed to gradually wear until it becomes too dull to cut. These belts will provide a fast cut and long life for grinding and polishing.

Silicon Carbide

Used On: Glass, Plastic, aluminum, hard cast iron, Non Ferrous Metals, rubber, and stone.

Silicon Carbide is a Sharper and Harder mineral than the traditional aluminum oxide. The grain consists of extremely sharp pointed grains that work great at cutting glass and plastics along with much more. Due to the design on this material it can be used in wet or dry application.

Zirconia Oxide

Used On: Non Ferrous Metal, Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel, Titanium, Aluminum, Hardwood and Softwood.

Zirconia Oxide has an extremely tough grain the does well under heat and high pressure making it ideal for steel fabrication and in grinding applications.

Ceramic

Used On: Non Ferrous Metal, Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Hardwood and Softwood.

Ceramic are designed for the long haul, the grain is extremely sharp, hard and wear slowly. Making this material ideal for removing a bunch of material fast. The grains are design so it breaks down in a controlled manner allowing for a very consistent clean cut. Ceramic materials preform best when moderate pressure is applied.

Most commonly you will see people using aluminum oxide sanding belts for wood working, this is because it offers a good cut at the lower price points. Zirconia and Ceramic are both excellent options also though they tend to be a higher price point.

It will all depend on what you are looking to accomplish. Zirconia would be first choice as it offer a great cut and can withstand high pressures and heat.

Custom size belts are our specialty. You have two options in getting a custom belt made, you can go to our online custom belt creator or give us a call at and let us know what you need.

Yes, we offer the option of custom or non-standard size abrasive discs. Manufacturing typically takes about 2 weeks and will require a minimum order.

We offer online, phone and email order for our retail customers. We do not have a retail store and our warehouse is not set up for this. If you wish to shop in person give us a call and we will get you in contact with our local distributor in your area.

If you are looking for bulk discounts give us a call and we will get you in contact with our local distributor in your area.

Sanding belts are measured width x length x grit, for example 3”x21” 80 Grit is a common portable belt sander size.

Sanding Discs are measured Disc Diameter x hole size x grit, for example 7”x7/8” 24 Grit. In the case where the disc has multiple holes such as you would find with many orbital sanders the number of holes will be listed, example 6”x8 hole.

This will depend on what type of machine you are using though commonly you will use silicon carbide as it is excellent at removing floor finishing’s.

Both joints are butt joints though the S-joint also referred to Wave joint and Finger joint has a wave pattern increasing the surface area of the connection. This spreads the impact of the joint across the material you are sanding more evenly.

The grit number relating to sandpaper indicated the size and spacing of the abrasive minerals. The lower the grit the larger and further spaced out it is, where it is opposite for the higher grits were the mineral is smaller and closer together.

Extremely coarse grits (ex. 16-36 Grit) are typically used for material removal

Coarse grits (ex. 40-60 Grit) are typically used for heavy sanding, shaping and stripping

Medium grit (ex. 80-100 Grit) are typically used for surface preparation of light material removal

Fine Grits (ex 120+) are typically used as a finishing preparation sanding before painting/priming or staining

Temperature and humidity are the two most important factors influencing coat abrasives performance. Improper or inadequate storage can decrease the productive life of the coated abrasive by as much at 70%. Backing and adhesives are sensitive to climatic changes and will gain or lose moisture according to relative humidity of their surroundings. Fluctuating climatic conditions can cause permanent damage to the adhesive bond.

Excessive humidity may cause a softening of some types of adhesive bonds, so that the product quickly fills and clogs, or loses its grain during use. Excessive dryness may cause brittleness, reduced flexibility and distortion of product shape. Constant levels of humidity and temperature should be maintained. Stockroom temperatures should be 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit or 16-27 degrees Celsius and relative humidity between 35% and 50%. Cartons should be kept away from damp or cold walls and floor where they may absorb moisture.

Store Abrasives away from heat sources – steam-heated radiators, steam pipes, hot-air inlets, heat ducts, or rooms near furnaces or ovens. Belts which have been removed from the packing case should be rolled up and stood on edge on a clean shelf. Belts may be draped over a large cylinder, such as a gallon can, brake drum or flanges hanger of the type used from garden hoses. NEVER hang a belt from a nail of peg – The backing will crease and the abrasive will crack.

Open Coat

Refers to a coating in which 50% to 75% of the backing is covered by abrasive grain. There are voids between particles of grain which helps reduce the effect of loading (Clogging) causes by sawdust or metal particles. Suitable for wood or plastic.

Closed Coat

Refers to coating in which the entire surface of the backing is covered with abrasive grain, with no void between particles. This is by far the most general coating in use and permits the greatest degree of stock removal and the longest product life. Suitable for metal and woods.