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The Role of a Stroke Sander in Custom Metal Fabrication

December 12, 2019

The nature of providing custom metal fabrication in Toronto is housing all sorts of machinery and equipment.

 

This is not an uncommon practice at Demtra Sheet Metal Industries, our 10,000 sq. ft facility is subject to continual investment to meet the growing demands of customers.

 

Handling a wide range of materials (e.g. sheet metal, copper, alloys, brass, stainless steel, etc.) requires not only a wide range of equipment but also the right ones. You are probably familiar with industry mainstays like plasma cutters, lathes, mills, and power brakes; however, one that can go unnoticed is the stroke sander.

 

What Is a Stroke Sander?

Wonder how a sublime finish is achieved on metal surfaces? Most probably by a stroke sander. While ideal for flat metal surfaces, in the hands of skilled operators they are capable of handling bulky/irregularly shaped workpieces.

 

By filling a unique void in machine shops (heavy stock removal with an ultra-fine finish), they have carved a niche for custom metal fabrication in Toronto. They fill this void by way of an abrasive belt, constantly revolving atop steel rollers between a pair of guard rails. Proficient operators can also be spotted using stroke sanders for weld removal, and grinding.

 

It’s not uncommon for custom metal fabrication in Toronto to utilise stroke sanders with dual sanding belts - allowing operators to use two different grits at once. The motor of a stroke sander can vary depending on how demanding an application can be, ranging from 3 HP 220-volt motors to 7.5 HP 220-volt motors.

 

How Do Operators Handle a Stroke Sander?

Achieving the perfect finish for custom metal fabrication in Toronto is contingent on operators possessing a mastery over the basic controls and features of a stroke sander:

 

  • Table Vertical Adjustment Handwheel: provides operator the ability to work on an array of workpiece sizes and thicknesses. Adjustment are made so that the workpiece be ¼” – ½” under the sanding belt.
  • Work Stop: operators raise this for workpiece stability, avoiding kickback, and minimising the likelihood of the workpiece sliding off the table. This, like the table vertical adjustment handwheel, can be lowered to hold sizeable workpieces.
  • Depth Indicator: lets the operator know – in measurable terms – how far the surface of the table is from the belt.
  • Platen Press Handle: delivers consistent and flat (platen) pressure across the belt and, consequently, the workpiece. Moveable vertically and horizontally across the entire length of the table for comprehensive sanding. It is this element that ultimately allows the operator to have fine control of the volume of material that ends up being removed.