Finger sander and usable belt sizes

[Spot the welders dog]

Thinking I may need a slim finger sander I am comtemplating buying this one (Ferm Electric Powerfile File Belt Sander).
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/351590030920?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I have some concern that the more widely available, and cheaper, Zirconia *x457mm belts may not fit snugly upon the sander above. It is adverstised as using *x455mm size of belt.

In the real world; Is this going to be a problem with belts riding off the arms?

 

[Shox Dr]

Its only 2mm longer so it will need less than 1mm more tension in the arm

 

[Spot the welders dog]

Haha, I didn't think about the arm maybe having some slack built in ---- Makes more sense now looking back at the pictures.

Thank you kind sir

 

[pedrobedro]

I get powerfile belts on eBay from johnt1102 and he makes them 13x451 in zirconia or al/ox. I just bought a pack of assorted zirconia and they work fine and keep tension. No connection to the seller just happy to recommend them.

 

[123hotchef]

I have been getting my belys from screwfix £1 for 10

 

[Gareth0123]

I use my Ferm and Aldi's special finger belt sanders commercially almost every day and I use 13 X 457 P36 ceramic belts from Abrasives for Metal almost exclusively and I don't have a single issue or problem with them. These particular belts have turned out to be the most economical for me to use for removing mig splatter in a very tight corner on one of my products. Thinking along the lines of belt tension and tracking I've used 13 X 451 P40 belts and all they did was destroyed the motor on the first Ferm powerfile I had. Yes, I have since worn out a couple of belt arms with 13 X 457 P36 belts but that is only because of the volume of work I am doing with them............ I get through 200 of these belts a year,

 

[Spot the welders dog]

Thank you gents. 'Tis nice to have some real world experience to fall back on.

123hotchef: Good price, I will take a gander.
Gareth0123: I will heed your warnings that size does matter if I want to avoid a burn-out!

Much appreciated

 

[Cobbler]

The Lidl Parkside ones are on offer from this Thursday £29.99, I've got the Aldi version & buy Screwfix belts. Some come apart at the join, but at the price I don't worry.

 

[armalites]

I have been getting my belys from screwfix £1 for 10

I've bought those Screwfix ones in the past, they are cheap enough but I wouldn't buy them again, they just don't last, the grit comes away too easily. I appreciate if they are cheap enough you can keep swapping them but the difference in buying a quality brand is pretty big and I found cost wise there was very little difference overall and I got really fed up with keep changing them.

I get mine from B and D Abrasives, they manufacture in the UK using SIA abrasives.

 

[Swift&Bold]

I buy full width belts and tear them down to width.

 

[Spot the welders dog]

I buy full width belts and tear them down to width.

That was my intention also, but became muddled thinking that the length was critical. Now it has been confirmed that the arms have a little leaway the 457's will suffice i think!

*Happy*

 

[nipper]

The Lidl Parkside ones are on offer from this Thursday £29.99, I've got the Aldi version & buy Screwfix belts. Some come apart at the join, but at the price I don't worry.

just been there to get one, one less thing to look for at the NEC this weekend.