3" x 132" Surface Conditioning Belts (Non-Woven), 4 PACK
3" x 132" Surface Conditioning Belts (Non-Woven), 4 PACK
Available in stock (49979)
An eleven-foot non-woven belt exists for machines where the work is long: horizontal stroke sanders, long-bed edge sanders and pipe polishing lines that finish full lengths of stainless and aluminum in one setup. These 3" x 132" surface conditioning belts give those machines a conformable finishing belt that blends, deburrs and grains without cutting into the part or wandering off the rollers.
The web is nylon impregnated with aluminum oxide grain and resin on a reinforced scrim backing, sold four to a pack in a single grade: Coarse, Medium, Very Fine or Ultra Fine. It removes heat tint, mill scale haze and coated-belt scratch from stainless, steel, aluminum, titanium and other non-ferrous alloys, wet or dry.
- 132" length for stroke sanders, long-bed edge sanders and pipe polishing lines that take a 3" belt
- Reinforced scrim backing keeps an 11-foot loop from stretching or creeping off track
- Grades from 40–60 to 320–400 grit scratch, one grade per 4-pack
- Conformable web blends and deburrs without changing dimensions
- Runs cool, resists loading on aluminum and can be used wet or dry
- Free shipping on orders over $200; custom lengths in about 3 days
Which grade should you order for a stroke sander or pipe line?
Long belts are expensive to guess with, so pick the grade from the scratch you are starting with and the finish the job calls for.
- Coarse (40–60 grit scratch), brown: cleaning mill scale, weld color and light rust from long stainless or steel sections, stripping oxidation from aluminum extrusions. It is the most aggressive non-woven grade and will round an edge if you park the pad on it.
- Medium (80–120 grit scratch), maroon: the blending grade. Takes out the marks from an 80–120 grit coated belt on a stroke sander, blends welds after grinding, and leaves a matte industrial finish that is fine for painted or process parts.
- Very Fine (180–240 grit scratch), blue: the finish grade for architectural stainless, handrail, tube, elevator and column cladding. Produces a uniform directional satin of the #4-style type.
- Ultra Fine (320–400 grit scratch), grey: a fine satin for decorative stainless and aluminum and the last step before buffing when a mirror is specified.
For long stainless work the usual purchase is Medium plus Very Fine. Add Ultra Fine if you also buff.
Grade guide for long stainless and aluminum parts
| Grade | Use it for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Coarse 40–60 | Scale, weld color, oxidation | Keep the pad moving |
| Medium 80–120 | Blending after coated belt, industrial matte | Most versatile |
| Very Fine 180–240 | Architectural #4-style satin | Finish grade |
| Ultra Fine 320–400 | Decorative satin, pre-buff | Lightest pressure |
Each grade removes the scratch of the grade before it. Going from Coarse straight to Ultra Fine leaves the coarse lines visible under a fine haze.
What machines take a 3 x 132 belt?
- Horizontal stroke sanders with a 3" belt: the belt runs over two distant drums and the operator presses a hand pad down onto it above long flat work such as panels, doors, countertops and cladding sheets.
- Long-bed oscillating edge sanders that take a 3" x 132" belt, for long straight edges on panels, extrusions and bar.
- Pipe and tube polishing machines with a long belt path, the application our previous page for this size described for stainless and aluminum pipe.
Before ordering, confirm the belt length in your manual or by measuring an old belt around its outside; a 132" belt will not stretch to fit a 138" machine, and a 118" machine will not take up 14" of slack. Non-woven belts have no direction arrow and run either way. Mount with the machine off, set tension to the maker's figure, jog it, and correct tracking until the belt sits centered on both drums. On a stroke sander, check that the belt clears the table at full pad depression before you start.
How to get the most out of them
- Do the cutting with a coated belt. Weld reinforcement, deep scratches and dimensioning belong to a zirconia or ceramic belt. Switch to non-woven once the surface is at an even 80–120 grit (for Medium) or 120–180 (for Very Fine).
- Slow the belt and lighten the pad. Non-woven works at lower surface speed and light pressure. On a stroke sander the pad should glide; pressing it down hard crushes the web, heats the part and tears fibers off the scrim.
- Keep the pad moving in one direction. Travel the pad along the length of the work continuously and lift it at the end of each pass. Stopping leaves a bright spot; crossing directions leaves swirls.
- On pipe, keep the traverse steady. A constant rotation and feed produce an even grain line along the whole length. Restarting mid-length shows as a band.
- Use a lubricant on aluminum and titanium. The belt is waterproof. A light water mist or cutting fluid keeps aluminum from smearing into the web and keeps titanium from discoloring.
- Store long belts hanging on a large-radius hook. A 132" belt that is folded or dropped in a bin takes a kink that shows up as a thump at the platen. Blow the web out with air after each use and keep belts away from sunlight and damp.
Use it for / don't use it for
Use it for
- Uniform satin on long stainless panels, cladding, handrail, pipe and tube
- Brushed finishes on aluminum extrusions, bar and sheet
- Blending welds and coated-belt marks on long parts after grinding
- Removing heat tint, scale, light rust and oxidation over the full length of a part
- Deburring long edges on an edge sander without changing dimensions
- Prepping long parts for paint, powder coat, anodizing or buffing
Don't use it for
- Removing weld metal or stock; that is a coated belt job
- Producing a mirror; follow Ultra Fine with buffing wheels and compound
- Machines whose belt length is not 132"; use our 3 x 118 or order a custom length
- Heavy pad pressure, which strips the web and burns the part
Specifications
| Size | 3" x 132" |
|---|---|
| Abrasive | Aluminum oxide in a non-woven nylon web |
| Backing | Reinforced scrim, stretch-resistant |
| Grades offered | Coarse (40-60), Medium (80-120), Very Fine (180-240), Ultra Fine (320-400) |
| Color code | Brown / maroon / blue / grey |
| Joint | Bi-directional, no arrow |
| Pack quantity | 4 belts, one grade per pack |
| Wet or dry | Both |
| Fits | Stroke sanders, long edge sanders and pipe polishers taking 3 x 132 |
| Converted in | Anaheim, California |
| Custom sizes | Other lengths made to order in about 3 days |
Frequently asked questions
How do I know whether my machine takes a 3 x 118 or a 3 x 132 belt?
Check the belt size on the machine's nameplate or in the manual, or measure an old belt around its outside with a tape. A 3" x 132" belt is 14" longer than a 3 x 118 and the two are not interchangeable; the tension arm on a stroke or edge sander cannot make up that difference. If neither size matches, we make custom lengths in about 3 days.
How do I use a non-woven belt on a stroke sander?
Run the 3 x 132 belt at reduced speed, hold the hand pad lightly against the back of the belt and move it continuously along the work in one direction, lifting at the end of each pass. Light pressure is the whole technique: the web does the blending, and pressing harder only heats the part and wears the belt. Use Medium after coated grinding and Very Fine for the final grain.
Which grade produces an architectural satin on stainless cladding?
Very Fine (blue, 180–240 grit scratch) is the grade for a #4-style directional satin on architectural stainless panels, cladding and handrail. Bring the surface to 120–180 grit with a coated belt first so there are no deep scratches under the satin, then run Very Fine in continuous single-direction passes. Ultra Fine gives a finer, softer version.
Will these belts work on aluminum extrusions without loading?
Yes. The open nylon web sheds aluminum swarf far better than a coated belt, and it runs cool. Use Coarse or Medium to strip oxidation and Very Fine for a brushed finish, keep pressure light, and apply a mist of water or a light cutting fluid; the belt is waterproof. Blow the web out with compressed air if it starts to fill.
How should I store an 11-foot non-woven belt?
Hang it on a large-radius hook or peg, never folded and never on the floor. A 3" x 132" belt that is creased takes a set that thumps at the platen and can crack the scrim at the fold. Keep belts out of direct sunlight and away from humidity, and if a belt was run wet, let it dry hanging before it goes back on the rack.
How many belts are in a pack and do you offer case pricing?
Each pack contains four 3" x 132" belts of a single grade: Coarse, Medium, Very Fine or Ultra Fine. Production shops running stroke sanders or pipe lines can get case quantities and bulk pricing by calling 714-646-3299 or emailing sales@maverickabrasives.com. Orders over $200 ship free.
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