But before you reach for your belt sander, it’s important to understand that the guidelines are a little different. That’s because when it comes to power sanding, the belt sander is far more aggressive than its handheld counterpart. I’ve also used a belt sander to level out a live-edge slab that I milled and used to build a dining table. As a cautionary note, it’s imperative to wear proper protective gear when using a belt sander. A good belt sander is often the difference between a finishing project taking hours versus minutes.