On 25 Jan 2016 04:02:54 GMT, "DoN. Nichols"
wrote:

On 2016-01-25, wrote:
I need to do some fairly extensive "grinding" of aluminum on belt
sander. I will be using a fairly coarse belt and would like to avoid
loading the belt with aluminum. I know there is a wax type lubricant
that can be used. What is the simplest, cheapest, most readily
available and effective solution??

I don't know about that -- but a warning. If you have use that
sander on steel previously, take care to clean out all the places the
grinding may have accumulated before doing the aluminum. The problem is
that the two dusts (aluminum and rusted steel) make thermite. You're
more likely to ignite it if doing steel after aluminum rather than the
other way around, but still a potential problem.

Good Luck,
DoN.
Particularly a problem with finer grit - but yes, rusty steel on an
aluminum loaded belt can be dangerous.