Stupid Belt Sander

The BBQ Pit
1

I power-washed the deck on the new house, and I repaired some broken and crappy planks. Now I need to sand it down before sealing it.

So I break out the belt sander.

The idiot that made the deck didn’t countersink his screws properly and several of them stick up in places at an angle.

Not very much, mind you, just enought o catch the belt on the belt sander and rip it to shreds.

Each time this happens, I replace the belt. each belt costs $2.50. I’ve been trying to be careful, and screw down or grind any screw heads that are potruding, but it’s a losing battle. Sometimes I’ll go twenty minutes on a belt. Most often though, I’m ripping a belt within a few minutes.

Frustration is leading to carelessness, and last night I mangled a finger replacing a belt without unplugging the sander. I accidently turned it on when my finger was in a bad place to be relative to a belt sander.

Stupid belt sander. Stupid belts. Stupid Deck. Stupid finger. Stupid Doctor asking stupid questions while giving stupid stictches on stupid mangled finger. Stupid keyboard not designed for two-fingered typing.

Stupid Scylla, too.

2

Sanding a deck? Man, you must live in some kind of hoity-toity neighborhood. My place, the new boards get nailed into place and ignored thereafter.

3

This reminds me of that one great part of the South Park episode with the shop teacher.

::2 kids walk up to shop teacher’s desk. One’s face has no physical features at all - no mouth, nose or anything::

Kid with a face: Tommy stuck his face in the belt sander!

4

See what happens when you screw around! :wink:

5

If it’s any consolation (and it’s probably not) I learnt the “power tools and impatience don’t mix” lesson with a nail gun, and you can imagine how much that hurt.

6

When you’re impatient, evey tool is “reciprocating”.

7

If we weren’t so worried about incurring the wrath of your wife, Scylla, I’m sure the Lady Dopers would be forming a line to kiss it and make it better. :smiley:

Ouch, lieu, I’m imagining myself using an air powered nail gun and catching that little bitty bit o’ skin between thumb and finger. OUCH!!!

8

I bet the belt sander would work just fine on a blimp, though.

9

In my experience, a belt sander is a shop tool. A random orbital sander is good for field applications like that.

A little too late now, though. Sorry 'bout the finger.

Maybe you can order a new one online.

I have an online clone just for replacement body parts and have never been happier.

10

Scylla,

It happened to me in May after escaping final exams: Nantucket to work for 7 bucks an hour (min), working for a general contractor. After two runs to Ace Hardware for a new belt – the second time for two, for cushion, at my expense. Fiscally challenged and concerned for my Siasconset date night cash, I decided to look through the summer house’s closets for an iron. I covered it in a terry towel, and in no time found the problem areas.

So when your deck looks like you hired a pro, tell 'em Mr. B sent ya.

11

…mark 'em with painter’s easy-release tape. It wasn’t around then. <gloom>

12

This thread does have some good advice about tools, including screws and beltsanders.

13

This is a common problem in home maintenance, Scylla. The correct procedure is as follows: take a standard framing hammer. Place the contractor directly in the center of the deck, legs akimbo. Pound his scrotum until his testicles achieve a mushy texture without any noticeable lumps. It may be adviseable to wear some ear protection, unless this should dampen the esthetic experience.

14

So Scylla, how much of your body is scar tissue? I’m guessing it must be around 80%.

15

"LOST DOG: One eye, ear chewed off, three legs, broken tail. Answers to the name “Lucky”

16

so are you on the ‘express check in’ at the emergency room yet?

First name basis w/all the ER docs?

I heard there was going to be a belt sander race around here soon. interested?

17

Could be worse. You could be Eric Robert Rudolph’s idiot brother. Read the horrific last paragraph of this CNN story: http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/05/31/rudolph.main/index.html

“Daniel Rudolph added a twist to the story in March 1998 when he went into his garage near Charleston, South Carolina, and turned on a video camera and a circular saw. “This is for the FBI and media,” he said to the camera, then thrust his left arm into the saw, cutting off his hand. The hand was later surgically reattached.”
Now * that * is a guy with power tool issues.

18

“He was disarmed” said E., offhandedly.

19

So, Scylla, you looking to SELL a belt-sander?

20

I’d suggest removing a crooked screw, sand all around the hole, then put the screw back in. If you do this one screw at a time, you should be able to get all the trouble spots without having your deck collapse. You can then sand the area between the screws with little difficulty.

Of course, there’s some satisfaction at cursing the darkness.