Here is my bench-top belt sander, rotated up vertical. I've never been very impressed with this thing, and it has seen very little use, especially since I got the oscillating sander. But I thought I'd get it out and see what it might be good for. You can see there is no abrasive on the sanding disk. The disk doesn't do anything the belt can't do much better. Sooner or later though, you will forget it is there spinning away, and find it with a knuckle or finger - ouch. At some point, it also tore up the power cord. I took the disk off to clean it, and I was tempted to leave it off - the spinning nub is much less dangerous. But the back of the disk is the cooling fan for the motor, so I put it back. The smooth aluminum is fairly safe.