2 x 72 belts

R

ritzblitz

Joined
Dec 31, 2006
Messages
293
Hi everyone,

I'm probably going to buy a Coote soon and look forward to purchasing a wide variety of belts. I am wondering what brands you guys prefer. Are there any uses for anything other than X weight backing? I plan to get maybe two of each grit belt from 36 to 600. How are Klingspor belts?

Thanks guys.

Happy Easter!

Alex
 
I prefer Klingspor. Pop's Knife Supply has the best prices I've found. I like J weight a little better in the finer grits (120 and up) since they wrap around the platen and wheel to let me get into the smaller crevices. I wouldn't suggest going above 400 for most grinding needs. I use 3m Micron belts (don't like the regular 3m belts) for fine finish work on the handls and such. For 36 and 50 grit, get the Blaze belts from TruGrit. They chunk the metal out and last longer than any of the other I've used. I buy on a regular basis the following:

1 36 grit
1 50 grit
2 to 3 80 grit
2 120 grit
3 150 grit
3 220 grit
3 320 grit
3 400 grit

I usually follow the doubling method for grinding which is start with 50, then 120, 220, 400. But sometimes if I want to back down a step, I don't want to go from a 120 to a 50, so I might use an 80. It's really important at the finer stages, like at 400 only going back to a 320. Hope this helps.

Erik
 
I bought some Klingspor from Pop's and some belts from Supergrit. The Klingspor's are much better.
 
oops. misread, thought you said true grit.
Norton blaze in low grits, then yellow kingspors for medium grits, I like kling for higher grits but will use a gator trizact for satin finish. I skip right to an 80 forgoing the lower grits myself.
 
Call 1-800-645-5555 That is Klingspor's number. Ask for John Williams, he is the knife makers rep. Heck of a nice guy, and he is very helpful. They will make up anything to any size you need. Want a 111X3.3" belt in J-flex 120? No problem, they will be shipped in about two days. John will send you a knifemakers belts pricelist with the belts that are best for our uses. ( there are so many types of belts it can be confusing)
Online at www.klingspor.com .

I would suggest you buy less grit sizes and more of each grit. Having two each of 50,60,80,100 for example, will do little good for most newer makers. However, having ten 60 or 80 grit belts will be very useful, as you will use them up rapidly at first. Go with a system of roughly doubling the grit. For a full spectrum of grinding from roughing out to ready to polish, try something like 50,100,220,400,600 or 60,120,220,400. Get more of the coarser grits . Many sellers have a big discount for quantity (Klingspor has up to 30% for larger orders). I would say to get four grit sizes and get ten of each. When those are gone you will have an idea of what you need and how many you use of each grit. The other thing is to buy the best quality belts available. Cheaper is not always your friend,here. CZ belts outpreform AO belts by many times. The "Blaze" type belts are tops for hogging out steel. John will help you figure out the best choices. They even have a "Knifemakers pack" IIRC.
Stacy
 
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