This method is characterized by ease in creating roughed surfaces with direction uniformity. The paper here means sand paper. In the past, the abrasives are bonded on surfaces of paper as the name implies, but cloth is used instead today. In addition, endless paper belts are in frequent use. Various application examples are shown in [Fig.2].

[Fig.1] is an example of a buffing lathe with contact wheels as abrasive surfaces, and is the most fundamental configuration. The figure on the right is a vertically configured simple semi-automatic machine of the same with a feed belt as the abrasive surface.

[Fig.2] shows a various applications of paper belts. The center-less application in the figure can easily automatically grind round objects such as rods and pipes by the adaptation of a simple adjustment wheel. The variable belt application figure shows the ability to grind difficult to access inside surfaces.

The paper belts are purchased, but the paper can be user made. Paper buffs are made by bonding peroration reinforced cloth buff material into certain thickness. This is fixed to a buffing lathe and centered (balanced), and adhesive is applied on the circumference to bond abrasive materials of various grit sizes. Such paper buffs were the mainstay for grinding before the advent of paper belts.
Surface adjustments using the paper belts involve heat generation. The heat generated has negative effects on the surfaces to be processed. to counter this problem, abrasive compounds are used in conjunction. Buff polishing compounds, as discussed later, can be used but oil based polishing compounds are used for friction reduction and cooling effects.