Thread: Sander vs grinder

Is there a significant difference between a belt sander and a belt grinder?

Is there a difference in the belts used?

To the purposes, yes. A sander is typically engineered to work better on wood or non metal materials where a grinder is typically engineered to perform better removing metal. I'm certain that end users have stretched the engineering considerably. As to the belts, yes there is a big performance difference. A belt designed to remove metals will be much more durable and expensive. Using a metal removal belt on wood will defeat the aggressive grits with clogged resins and sawdust. This changes the amount of heat generated in getting the work done and tends to make the finish less attractive.

A belt sander is usually a portable tool that uses belts like 3 x 24 (this is a guess - I can look in my shop if you want me to). Can also be a table top tool, but again uses short, wide belts. A belt grinder uses 2 x 74, or some use 2 x 42, or if you are Spazola, 1 x 42. They are a stationary tool used to remove metal quickly. The good ones run $1000 plus. If this doesn't answer your questions, get back to me, or someone else may chime in. Edit: Combine this with Mike Blue's response - yes to the wood/metal answer for sure. You can get wood belts for a 2x72, but they don't work on metal.