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How to Choose the Right Sanding Belt for MetalThe right sanding belt for metal depends on more than grit. Mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum and high-alloy metals do not all grind the same way. A belt that works well for light deburring may glaze over during heavy weld removal, while an aggressive belt can create unnecessary heat or leave scratches that take several steps to remove.The goal is to match the abrasive grain, grit and backing to the metal, the amount of material you need to remove and the machine you are using. Get those decisions right and you can cut more efficiently, control..

How to Choose the Right Sanding Belt for WoodThe right sanding belt for wood depends on more than grit. A belt that removes rough mill marks quickly may leave unnecessarily deep scratches on veneer, while a fine finishing belt can clog or burn the wood if it is asked to do heavy stock removal.The goal is to match the abrasive grain, grit and backing to the surface, the amount of material you need to remove and the machine you are using. Get those decisions right and you will spend less time correcting scratches, fighting clogged belts or sanding the same surface twice.Already know your width, ..

How to Choose the Right Bandsaw Blade for MetalMetal is not impressed by the most expensive blade on the rack. It wants the right blade for the job.Thin-wall tubing and a six-inch solid bar may both be mild steel, but they should not be cut with the same TPI. A fine blade can pack with chips in a large solid. A coarse blade can hammer through thin tubing with too few teeth engaged and strip them off.To choose the right metal-cutting bandsaw blade, consider:The metal and its hardnessWhether the workpiece is solid, tubing, pipe, a profile or a bundleHow much metal the blade passes through at one..

How to Choose the Right Bandsaw Blade for WoodThe best bandsaw blade for wood is not necessarily the most expensive one—or the one with the most teeth. It is the one that matches the cut.A narrow, flexible blade can follow a tight curve through plywood. A wide, coarse blade can track straight while resawing an eight-inch hardwood board. Ask either blade to do the other one’s job and you are likely to get heat, wandering and frustration.To choose the right blade, consider:The cut you are makingThe type and thickness of the woodThe tightest radius you need to cutThe blade dimensions your saw can..

Double-Ended End Mills: What Are They and When Should You Use One? When selecting an end mill, getting the right cutting geometry is only part of the equation. Tool reach, rigidity, flute count and overall value can all affect which option makes the most sense for the job. For many shallow milling applications, a double-ended end mill offers a practical advantage: two usable cutting ends on a single tool. Once one end reaches the end of its usable life, the tool can be flipped to provide a fresh cutting end. That sounds simple—and it is—but double-ended end mills aren’t automatically ..

In metal fabrication, choosing the correct abrasive belt is the difference between a flawless finish and costly rework. The right belt improves surface quality, speeds production, and reduces waste — while the wrong one burns, clogs, or wears out prematurely. At OnlineSupply.ca, we offer a wide range of custom-made abrasive belts made in Canada, built from premium European and South Korean materials. Here’s how to pick the best belt for your job.   Understanding Abrasive Belt Basics An abrasive belt consists of three key components: Backing: Paper or cloth — each off..

  If you're searching for the ideal gift for the woodworker, metalworker, or craftsman in your life, Skookum Tools has you covered. Whether they’re a seasoned professional or a DIY enthusiast, Skookum offers a range of high-quality tools and accessories designed to elevate their craft. Here’s a curated list of top Skookum Tools products that make fantastic gifts for any occasion. Whether its Christmas, a birthday, anniversary or any other occasion, Skookum Tools is here to help make that day special!   1. Bandsaw Blades   A high-quality bandsaw blade is essential for any wo..

How to Order Skookum Custom Sanding BeltsHaving trouble finding the right sanding belt for your machine? Skookum sanding belts are made to your specifications and converted in Canada using premium abrasive materials. Our online builder lets you enter the width, length, grit and belt material, then shows the available price and minimum quantity. This service was previously known as Fast Track Sanding Belts.Typical manufacturing time: 7–10 business days. Shipping time is additional.Build Your Custom Sanding BeltsOrder Your Sanding Belts in Five Steps1. Enter the Belt WidthMeasure straight across..

Shipping is an integral part of business these days, but nobody likes actually paying for it. So why don’t you pay as little as possible? I’ll teach you about our shipping systems and how to get the cheapest possible shipping cost as well as how to optimize your cart to get your items in the quickest manner! We have our “main” warehouse in Victoria, BC but we also offer direct shipping from a lot of our vendors and partners. For example, all of our End Mills are made at our Winnipeg factory so you’ll have the choice of getting them shipped straight to you from the factory, or shipped fr..

  When it comes to high-precision woodworking operations—whether moulding, doors & windows, flooring, or panel processing—standard tools often fall short of the mark. That’s where custom cutters come into play. This article explores what custom cutters are, why a shop might invest in them, how the process works, and what to consider when specifying them.     1. What Are Custom Cutters? Custom cutters are cutting tools—such as router bits, shaper knives, and profiler heads—that are designed and manufactured to a specific profile or application rather than being “off-the-she..

What exactly is an End Mill? At first glance, you might think that end mills are just different types of drill bits. As the name suggests, however, end mills are used in milling applications and are a type of cutting tool.  There are several categories available, and they may be further divided by the application, such as slotting, side milling, tapering, or pocket milling. What is Milling?  To have a better understanding of end mills and their uses, one needs to know what milling is. In basic terms, milling is a technique that uses a rotating cutting tool to carve out 3-dimensional s..

How to Choose the Best Sanding Belt for Your ApplicationThe best sanding belt is the one that matches the material, the amount of stock you need to remove, the shape of the workpiece and the machine you are using. A belt that is excellent for heavy grinding on steel may be unnecessary for finish sanding wood, while a fine belt can wear quickly if it is asked to do coarse shaping.There are four main decisions to make:1. What material are you sanding?2. Which abrasive grain suits the job?3. What grit will produce the required cut or finish?4. Does the backing suit the surface and machine?Already..

Band saw blades from Online Supply are all custom made to your specific requirements, so you can get the best possible blade for your particular application. If you already know what you need, then head on over to our Custom Welded Bandsaws page and fill out the custom blade form. If you are not sure, then the list below may help. If your machine is not listed, head over to our article on “How to Choose the Best Band Saw Blade” and we will help you figure out what would work best for you! We have compiled a list below of make & model numbers along with the length of ba..

Bandsaw blades from Online Supply are custom made to your specific requirements, so you can get the best possible blade for your particular application. If you already know what you need, then head on over to our Custom Welded Bandsaws page and fill out the custom blade form. If you are not sure, then keep reading and we will help you figure out what would work best for you! Note on 3 Wheel Bandsaws and Bench Top “Hobby” Saws  –  These hobby saws typically have wheels that are 10” or less in diameter and require a special thin guage, flexible bandsaw blade. ..