Thread: BELT SANDER/ BUFFER STATIC SHOCK - OMG

Looking for good anti-static ideas for buffers.

With low humidity I have been getting a lot of static electricity shocks from my Baldor buffer. Yesterday I spent a better part of the day in front of the buffer. It happens often enough to be very annoying. I checked the plug, and it is wired properly.

I do not have the problem with my belt sanders, where I stand on cement floor. I do have a thick rubber fatigue mat in front of the buffer.

A bit of Google search revealed it is a common problem with belt sanders and buffers. Here is a post from Blade Forum.
“A search on the topic will reveal a lot of old threads on this.

When you grind, the grinder,blade, and you become a Van de Graaff generator. You end up being the reservoir for the charge because you are the most ungrounded object. When your hand gets close to the grinder ( or any earth grounded object), the charge neutralizes with a mini lightning bolt. As the weather gets colder and/or dryer, this becomes more of a problem.”

Many solutions are offered from wearing leather soled shoes to ground wires. An alligator clipped fan pull chain seems to be the easiest and most practical solution so far and will pick one up in my travels later today.

Anybody got any other simple solutions.

I think you biggest problem is that you are standing on a thick rubber mat which is an insulator. Even if you wear leather sole shoes, it is not going to help.

I know they sell grounding straps to put on your wrist when working with static sensitive electronic components, but since the cord could easily be caught by the buffing wheel, I cannot recommend going that route.

You might try adding a ultrasonic humidifier in the immediate vicinity of the buffer. Higher humidity will help

It might help to spray the top surface of your mat with a conductive paint such as one containing aluminum or copper pigments.

In extremely dry weather, you might need to remove the rubber mat.

I have thick rubber matting on my workshop floor.. If i dare go into their wearing my slippers it is shock after violent shock..whereas if i wear my DeWalt steel toe capped boots im shock free and my nerves get a rest
Maybe try changing your footwear..

We used to get this literally every day polishing dental tools on the buffers at my former employer. Ended up getting the polishers those anti-static wristbands. Never had any of them catch in the machines, yes it's possible I suppose, but if you are working in the correct manner your wrist should be nowhere near the wheels and even if it did catch, the cord attaches to the wristband with a quick snap detach so it wouldn't drag your hand toward the wheel. Simply position the cord on the underside of your wrist and it's out the way of any danger. I would absolutely recommend them.

https://tinyurl.com/5xmbmny8 (Link to Uline wristband)

Here is how I resolved the problem for three bucks!

Several online responses to self-grounding static with buffers and grinder/belt sanders is to attach a fan pull chain to a shoe, your body or clothing with an alligator clip that drags on the ground.

The chain is weak enough to break easily or pull from the connector if caught up.

I bought a 3-foot length of pull chain and a couple alligator clips for about $3. The chain fits into the wire holder in the alligator clip and the connector is a bit wider and does not allow the chain end to fall through.

For me 3ft of chain allows me to clip to the bottom of my pants pocket and the flexible chain drags on the ground about two inches with no trip hazard. This is enough to ground and discharge me when walking around the shop.

I hook the chain to the on and off toggle switch of the buffer when not in use. Literally takes a few seconds to clip it on or remove it.

No more shocks.

so its just clamped on your pants and not to any skin?

I put a dragging chain on my shop vac. Killed the static

Yup, I figured if clamped to a shoe works or Joseph’s steel toed boots. The chain was sold in 3ft package it just happened to be the perfect length to clip to my pocket.

I was buffing for a couple hours yesterday and no shock, but when it tried it without the chain, I got zapped.

So, took your advice Dave, with the extra clip and a few inches of chain, clipped it to one of the support fins at the wheel allowing it to drag on the floor.

BTW, I just picked up this sweet, Stainless DeWalt 10-gallon shop vacuum on sale at Lowe’s for $89.

Comes with a heavy-duty wire re-enforced hose, bunch of attachments, great handle and nice smooth rolling rubber wheels. Has more suction than my old ShopVac with a larger plastic can and much noisier motor. This one is much quitter and at a great price.

Correction, I paid $50 for the DeWalt vacuum, on sale and $89 for a 6-gallon Craftsman pancake compressor. also on sale.

I went in looking for a new compact compressor and saw the vacuum on sale. My 10+ year old ShopVac was making the death whine. I have oiled the bushings s couple times, but it has sucked up a ton of dust and has more than earned it’s keep. So $50 buck for a upgrade replacement, no brainer.

Love the new compressor also, my old one was a 5-gallon upright tank that took up a super small footprint and also 10-15 years old. I use mostly to blow off stuff daily and occasionally run a pin nailer and air brush.

BTW a couple years ago I upgraded my air hose quick connect to Milton’s. OMG worth the $25 upgrade. On the new compressor they have held air for 48-hours at 100PSI. I hate air leaks, buy the Milton’s for no leak air hoses.