Ridgid EB4424 Owners Manual - Page 18

OPERATION PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE WHEN SANDING METALS When sanding metals, sparks or hot fragments could cause a fire. To reduce the risk of this: n Disconnect any dust collecting hose from the sander. n Remove all traces of wood dust from inside the unit before sanding metals. n Remove all traces of metal dust from inside the unit before sanding wood again. PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE WHEN SANDING PAINT Sanding of lead-based paint is not recommended. It is difficult to control the contaminated dust that could cause lead poisoning. It is also difficult to identify whether or not a paint contains lead. Therefore, we recommend the following precautions when sanding all paints: n Protect your lungs. Wear a dust mask or respirator at all times. Wear only dust masks that are suitable for working in lead paint sanding environments. Ordinary painting masks do not offer this protection. n Do not allow children or pregnant women to enter the work area until paint sanding job is complete and work area is clean. n To prevent ingesting contaminated paint particles: Do not eat, drink, or smoke in a work area where paint is being sanded. After sanding paint, wash and clean up before eating, drinking or smoking. Do not leave food, drinks, or tobacco products in the work area where dust can settle on them. Basic Sanding Operation Sandpaper selection Selecting the correct size diameter, correct size grit, and correct type sandpaper is an extremely important step in achieving a high quality sanded finish. Aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, and other synthetic abrasives are best for power sanding. Natural abrasives, such as flint and garnet, are too soft for economical use in power sanding. In general, coarse grit will remove the most material and finer grit will produce the best finish in all sanding operations. The condition of the surface to be sanded will determine which grit will do the job. If the surface is rough, start with a coarse grit and sand until the surface is uniform. Medium grit may then be used to remove scratches left by the coarser grit and finer grit used for finishing of the surface. Always continue sanding with each grit until surface is uniform. NOTE: Do not use sander without sandpaper. Doing so will damage the rubber drum. Select and install the desired sanding sleeve for the particular application. Sanding sleeves from 1/2 in. to 2 in. can be used with this sander. Choose one that is close in size to the workpiece you are sanding. Also install the appropriate throat plate insert (page 16). WARNING: Failure to use the correct size throat plate insert with its matching sanding sleeve could result in fingers being pinched or the workpiece being pulled down between the throat plate insert and sanding sleeve. NOTE: The correct size sanding belt is 4 in. x 24 in. These belts are available in coarse, medium and fine grits. Surface Sanding on the Sanding Belt See Figure 18. WARNING: To reduce the risk of injury from slips, jams or thrown pieces, adjust the work rest to clear the sanding surface by no more than 1/16 of an inch. When checking clearance between the sanding belt and work rest, press the sanding belt flat against the metal worktable beneath it. n Hold the workpiece firmly with both hands, keeping fingers away from the sanding belt. n Keep the end butted against the work rest and move the work evenly across the sanding belt. Use caution when sanding very thin pieces. n For sanding long pieces the work rest can be rotated out of the way. n Apply only enough pressure to allow the sanding belt to remove material. n Do not sand thin pieces that may become trapped between the belt and work rest. surface sanding REMOVE Fig. 18 18