Assembly

• Main welded steel guard assembly, sized to the specified disc diameter or belt width
• Mounting brackets and vibration-resistant fasteners, supplied pre-assembled to the guard
• Secondary lower disc cover (disc guard models), field-mountable to either side of the primary shield to suit disc rotation direction
• Thumbscrew or knob adjustment hardware for vertical positioning

Guards mount directly to the machine table. Some older or cast-frame sanders may require drilling into the existing casting to land the brackets.

Configuration Options

Guard Type	Sizes	Model Prefix
Disc sander guard	6″, 8″, 9″, 10″, 12″, 16″, 20″, 24″, 30″	FER-DS
Belt sander guard (upper)	2″, 4″, 6″	FER-BS
Belt sander guard (lower, 6″)	6″	FER-BS-6L

Applicable Safety Standards

• OSHA 1910.212
• OSHA 1910.21

Guard will not hold its vertical position 

Shield creeps downward during operation or drifts after adjustment

• Verify both thumbscrews on each side are engaged; single-side tightening allows the shield to rack and slip
• Inspect thumbscrew threads and contact faces for abrasive dust packing - clean and re-seat
• Check for wear or galling on the adjustment slot edges from repeated vibration
• Confirm the machine is not transmitting excessive vibration through a worn bearing or out-of-balance disc, which will loosen any friction-locked adjustment

Guard will not mount flush to the table

Bracket does not sit flat, or fastener holes do not align

• Confirm the guard size ordered matches the actual disc diameter or belt width, not the nominal machine rating
• Check the table surface for weld beads, raised castings, or accumulated debris under the bracket footprint
• Compare the mounting footprint to the dimensional drawing for the specific model before drilling
• On cast-frame sanders, drilling into the casting may be required - verify wall thickness and clearance behind the drill point before proceeding

Exposed abrasive remains after installation

Operator can still reach the belt or disc from a normal working position

• Verify the secondary lower disc cover is installed on the correct side for the disc's rotation direction
• Reposition the primary shield to the lowest setting that still clears the largest routine workpiece
• On combination machines, confirm both belt and disc guards are installed - one alone leaves the other abrasive surface open
• If a gap persists at the table line, a lower belt guard (FER-BS-6L) or custom extension panel may be required

Excessive dust or particle escape 

Debris exits above or beside the guard during sanding

• Lower the shield to reduce the open gap at the workpiece
• Confirm the machine's dust collection port is unobstructed and drawing at rated flow. The guard limits ejection but does not replace extraction
• Check for a bent or deformed shield edge from prior impact
• If the operation generates sparks, stop and reassess: these guards are not rated for hot work

Interference with workpiece or operator technique

Guard restricts the workpiece envelope or forces awkward positioning

• Confirm the shield is adjusted to the job rather than left at a fixed height between jobs
• Re-evaluate whether the disc size ordered matches the machine - an oversized guard covers more than necessary
• Some reduction in freedom of movement is expected and intentional; document any proposed modification through a risk assessment before altering the guard