Long Belt Sanders
Tried and tested long belt sanders for every wood workshop
What are long belt sanders?
Long belt sanders are used to smooth wood during manufacturing processes. A modern long belt sander usually takes the form of a stationary work table which can be adjusted in terms of its height as well as horizontally. It consists of two sanding belts that are wrapped around two or more rollers. In most cases, a long belt sanding machine has belts that are around 15cm wide and seven to eight metres long. This large item of woodworking machinery is used to sand panels, planks and blocks in a wide range of manufacturing processes.
The most common machine in workshops
Sanding of panels, blocks and planks
Stationary work table with one or two sanding belts
Quality Great offers Personalized
How does a long belt sander work?
A long belt sander uses compressed air to press the workpiece firmly onto the sanding belt. The belt then moves at a steady pace in both directions, applying a smooth finish to every type of wood. Some long belt sanding machines utilise two sanding belts running parallel to one another. This type of machine is called a double belt sander, and it is used for either pre-sanding processes or putting the finishing touches to a newly-sanded workpiece.
Depending on the nature of the manufacturing process, long belt sanding machines can be fitted with a range of tools and connected to feeding machines in order to automate production and improve efficiency. For instance, a long belt sanding machine is often fitted with spray guns that can be used for painting or wet sanding wooden workpieces.
SANDINGMASTER Long belt sander in operation
A brief history of the long belt sander
The long belt sanding machine is one of the oldest types of industrial machinery still in widespread use today. The early machines were used for creating high quality furniture, but they didn’t offer the same speed and accuracy that modern machines are capable of.
During the early days of their use, long belt sanders were fitted with a ventilator in order to catch dust before it could escape into the air. Now, however, a dedicated extraction unit with a hood combine to capture dust and store it away. However, the process of sanding causes an enormous amount of dust, so larger production facilities will often have an additional extraction machine in operation. This extra protection is essential, as excess dust can lead to respiratory problems and the breakdown of other machines in the production facility.
A lot of small and medium-sized operations use second-hand machines because the long belt sander is such a reliable workhorse. Sanding technology hasn’t really changed much during the last 50 years, so even the oldest machines around are still performing well. There are some companies that prefer the wide belt sander, but they will usually have a long belt sanding machine on standby in case something goes wrong.
Where can you buy a long belt sanding machine?
Surplex.com is home to a wide range of industrial machinery for both woodworking and metalworking. If you’re looking for a used long belt sanding machine from manufacturers such as HÖFER, BÜRKLE and JOHANNSEN, there’s a good chance we have one right now. However, if we don’t have exactly what you are looking for, it’s a good idea to keep checking our website regularly. We are always sourcing new machinery, which we sell at auction or directly to customers via the website. You can be one of the first people to hear about industrial auctions and sales at Surplex — just sign up for our regular newsletter today.
