1x30 Belt Question

[colu41]

So some of you may know that I'm very new to this, but also very eager. As of now I have a 1x30 sander, but it works. My question is. I'm using up all of my cheap belts that I bought (before I knew any better). Getting the profile of the blade I'm using blue 80 Zirconia. And I'm using up one belt for each blank profile. Is that normal? Will the my blaze ceramics last longer? Or is that the consequences for using a 1x30?
Once those 4 belts are used, I'm going to switch to my 40 grit zircs, as 80 grit shouldn't be used for profiling lol. But any suggestions would be great.

Also, I haven't ordered yet, but I'm ordering some higher grit Norax belts for finishing. Will those wear much when I'm just looking for a little satin finish? I just want to get the belts figured out so I don't run out or order too much of one I don't need. So far I'm guessing I will be using 2 1/2 to 3 belts per finished knife. Pretty crazy IMO. lol

 

[ridges]

I have a 1x30 and wouldn't consider profiling even small blades with it, just not powerful enough and belts are too expensive. That said 40grit belts will work a ton faster and longer than 80 grits. A 4 1/2" angle grinder is what I used to profile. The 3/64" cut off discs are less than a dollar, crazy fast and good for at least 3 blades.

So far I'm guessing I will be using 2 1/2 to 3 belts per finished knife. Pretty crazy IMO. lol

That doesn't sound that bad at all to be honest.

 

[StuNY]

are you profiling from a rectangle with your 1x30? I tried that at first but took forever for me. Now I do a rough cut with my bandsaw first, saves a lot on belts and time! On my 1x30 I can usually clean up the profile and grind 2 or 3 regular sized blades with each 36 grit blaze belt.
As long as you do a progression of grits, the finer Norax belts should last you several knives each. I usually use the scotch brite very fine belt to get a satin finish.

 

[colu41]

I cut the initial shape with my angle grinder, than I shape it down (clean up the edges) with my 1x30.

 

[zhyla]

I threw away my first 40 grit 1x30 belt today. I think I got 6 blades out of it, and most of them I ground the bevels with the same belt. I cut my profiles with a bandsaw. As long as you're not grinding bar stock down to a knife the 1x30 is plenty of grinder for profiles.

On shallow blades like a paring knife I get good results going up to 400 with the 1x30 (haven't tried 600 yet). On taller blades I have trouble keeping the angle just right and end up with multiple facets on the blade where there should be one. This is probably just a combination of poor technique and a tool that is too tiny.

 

[colu41]

I threw away my first 40 grit 1x30 belt today. I think I got 6 blades out of it, and most of them I ground the bevels with the same belt. I cut my profiles with a bandsaw. As long as you're not grinding bar stock down to a knife the 1x30 is plenty of grinder for profiles.

On shallow blades like a paring knife I get good results going up to 400 with the 1x30 (haven't tried 600 yet). On taller blades I have trouble keeping the angle just right and end up with multiple facets on the blade where there should be one. This is probably just a combination of poor technique and a tool that is too tiny.

6 blade from 1 belt is awesome! After my cheap 80 grits are gone I'm going to go to my 40 grit zircs for profiling. Hopefully they cut faster and last longer.