2 x 72 Belts

B

bjtiger75

Joined
Dec 28, 2009
Messages
51
I am getting ready to order a KMG and want to know what belts you guys would recommend? I would like to order a few for wood working as well as the normal ones for metal grinding.

What grits?

What brand?

Thanks
BJ
 
I like 3M, the 977 cubitron in 60 grit for roughing out blades and handles, and the trizact belts for metal finishing. I start out using them on handles when they're fresh, then use them for metal when they wear out too much and start burning the wood
 
You should try some crappy belts first, that way you will know just how good the ceramic belts are:) If you go with ceramic right off the bat you will be spoiled, and sorely disappointed if you ever have to use cheap belts at some point in the future.
 
Justin King said:
You should try some crappy belts first, that way you will know just how good the ceramic belts are:) If you go with ceramic right off the bat you will be spoiled, and sorely disappointed if you ever have to use cheap belts at some point in the future.
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Those are very wise - and initially painful - words to accept.

The next, and even more painful words to accept is that belts need to be used like they are free. I can't say this enough. The moment you stop trying to eek a bit more life out of a dulling belt is the moment your grinds improve. Just like knives, dull belts don't cut!!! I used to have a terrible time spending $100 on a 'full order' of belts... now $150 rarely covers 2 grits! They're the most important thing for a good finish, but the most difficult to justify the expense on - go figure.

Everyone's got their favorites, but I use Norton Blaze in 40 grit and 120 grit, 3M 707's in 220 and 240, and I'm always on the lookout for the magic 400 grit belt that lasts more than 2 passes. Norton Norax belts seem to be the best for grits beyond 240 for me.
 
Matthew Gregory said:
Everyone's got their favorites, but I use Norton Blaze in 40 grit and 120 grit, 3M 707's in 220 and 240, and I'm always on the lookout for the magic 400 grit belt that lasts more than 2 passes. Norton Norax belts seem to be the best for grits beyond 240 for me.
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Matt, my problem is the reverse! The 3M Trizact belts in 400 grit seem to last several times as long as anything else, even the 60 grit Blaze. I want my coarse belts to keep up with the lifetime of the Trizact 400 ones. :(
 
for me blaze 50 and 80 semie cheap 180 grit then i start in with the full line of gators A300-A45 depending on finish supergrit now has felt belts in 2x72 so i have 3 of them with different grits

yes treat belts like ther free (sept older belts are great for profiling the blanks and cuttign the starter bevel)
gators grind and grind a hell of a long time and if you ahve a grinding wheel dressing stone you can dress the belts a few times and get more life out of them

i also keep 220 flex belts for handle work
 
For coarse grits I think the blaze are the best, I mark a 40, 80 and 120 for use on handle material only. This way I get alot of handles from a sharp belt. I hang the used belts on the wall and use them for rough profiles.
 
My most used belts are 36 grit Paco belts from Industrial Abrasives. Cost usually less than $2.00 each and I buy them 6 dozen at a time. From them I go to the 3 M stuff, usually a 220 grit next.
 
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