2x 72 Newbie Question

cdn_Bulldog

cdn_Bulldog

Joined
Sep 3, 2008
Messages
83
Hi All,

After years of working with just a 1x 42, I pulled the trigger and ordered one of Travis' wonderful tw-90s this week.
My question to you folks is 2 fold.

1) What do you folks use for your belt grit progression? I was thinking 36, 120, 320, 600, 800 and Scotchbrite. Thoughts?
2) What size small Bader wheels do you find yourself using the most? For what jobs?

Thanks all, God bless.
Craig
 
I am very new to making knives, but have found that I use a lot less belts than I originally thought.

Unless you want to get to a mirror polish, I'd get 50 ceramic, 120 ceramic, 220 ceramic, 220 j-flex, 400 j-flex and scotchbrite. The scotchbrite is absolutely amazing.
 
36 VSM, 50 VSM, 120 VSM, 240 (A65) GATOR, 400 (A45) GATOR, 400 CORK, 800 CORK

Also Hermes J Flex in 220, 400, 600

i Get all my belts from Tru Grit Abrasives
 
I'm still working through my belt progression. I use 40 grits for hogging (they are cheaper than 36 grit). I use 60 grit for bevels, then 220. I then go to the disc grinder. I sometimes use the gator 45's for finishing. I keep 320, 400 and 600 j flex also, for working on handles. I get all my belts from Phoenix Abrasives. As far as small wheels, I have the 1/2" and the 1". I want a 3/4" and a 1 1/2". You can use the contact wheels on the platen as 2" small wheels. You will love the TW90.
 
I stay away from 36 grit belts for bevels now. 60 grit belts remove stock nearly as fast, and leave less deep scratches to finish out later.

I haven't yet tried this, but Des Horn recommends dressing all belts with a diamond dresser before use to make sure you remove any high spots, this is supposed to help cut down on overall finishing time. Sounds reasonable to me and diamond bar dressers are very cheap (~$12 or so).
 
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