Advice re belt sander/linisher

[Ken I]

Powdered metals can burn violently - but in the real world I have only seen this on a production linishing operation on chrome - the chrome burned incandescent and nothing would put it out - water disassociated into Hydrogen and Oxygen which then exploded. CO2 disassociated and forced the fire, powder made no impression whatsoever.
We eventually simply kept the filter cabinet cool on the outside with water and let it burn itself out - this happened about twice a year and we never came up with a solution.

Nowadays I see that Magnesium foundries use cement powder dispensed from a hopper to hose nozzles to supress Magnesium fires - maybe that would work.

FYI

Ken

 

[Ken I]

Here's a tip for changing linishing disks.

Simply peeling off a linishing disk leaves a mess of torn backing and glue which takes a lot of time to clean up.

I found that by heating it with a propane torch the bond melts and (with gloves) you can peel it off very easilly.

The glue remains on the metal backing disk and you can repeat this about 3 times before you have to scrape off the remaining adhesive.

Again I use the blowtorch and a scraper (Removing the disk from the spindle if required).

Final clean up with thinners when its all cooled down somewhat.

A somewhat less safe way of doing it is to take the linisher outside and run it - apply the propane torch - the disk flies off as soon as the glue melts.

You obviously stand out of the line of throw but make sure everything else is out of the line of fire (dog, wife - in that order) - hence do it outside.

The other reason being the hot glue on the back of the disk can catch fire and it takes off like a demented catherine wheel.

As I said a less than safe method unless you take the necessary precautions but it does leave the backing disk much cleaner than peeling and ready to accept a new disk.

First time I did it as a kind of spur of the moment idea when I was in a hurry to change the disk - the flaming disk frisbee tearing around my workshop was an unexpected and unwelcome surprise - so outdoors only (and not if you live in a tinderbox).

I can change an adhesive disk in a couple of minutes this way (It's not quite as nuts as it sounds) - but be careful - you have been warned.

If anyone has any other ideas - please do tell.

Ken

 

[Omnimill]

I was hoping for a Velcro system, but not seen 10 inch ones to fit my sander ;D

Vic.

 

[LongRat]

Ok, belt arrived. Much better than the old belt which had an overlapped joint. This one is butt-joined and taped. It sands a lot smoother and I would say the 180 grit is just about right for my application. Not bad.