2x72 belt initial purchase?

Parke1

Parke1

Joined
Feb 11, 2003
Messages
1,862
Hey all,

Well, due to an offer that I couldn't refuse, I now own a Grizzly 2x72. Mdoyle made me an offer for his used one, and I headed down to his place this morning to pick her up.

Oh, by they way, mdoyle (Matt) is a great guy to deal with. We didn't get to meet face to face due to conflicting work schedules, but working out the purchase deal couldn't have been easier. Matt, if you read this, thank you very very much for setting me up.

Ok, so back to my topic at hand. I need to buy some belts, ASAP!!! I'm looking to get a recommendation as to where to get 'em, what brand, what grits, and how many of each grit to get initially.

I'm looking to get enough to last me a few weeks anyway. Hopefully wherever I get them from has expedited shipping available, because that little knifemaking bug is chewing at me pretty strongly.

Thanks guys, I appreciate your help!
-Parke1
 
I don't know about everyone else, but here's what I've been using:

-36gr. Ceramic (for rough profiling only)
-60gr. Ceramic (my main belt for removing the majority of stock and grinding bevels)
-120gr. ceramic (rough finishing bevels to thickness)
-220gr. A/O (rough finishing plunge, bevels, and handle profile)
-400gr. A/O (medium finishing)
-600gr. A/O (fine finishing)
-60gr. A/O (rough finishing handle material - the ceramics seem to plug up quicker from fine wood and micarta dust)

I also have a stock of 80-1200gr. 9x11 sheets that I use for the disc grinder and hand finishing. I usually sand to 6-800gr. before heat-treat (that way I get rid of any deep scratches before hardening ).

Have fun playing (post some pics sometime),
Nathan Dallyn
 
Park,
I'd start out with 24 60 grit 4 220 grit and 4 400 grit
You go through alot more 60 grit than any other.
BTW this is my standard order of belts per month after doing this for 20 years.
Hope this helps.
If you feel compelled to order other grits go ahead just get 2 each to start with.
Del
 
If I were just starting out and wanted the most bang for the buck, my opening order would be:

10 3m Ceramic 60 grit belts
5 3m Trizact A100 belts (approx. 150 grit)
5 3m Trizact A65 belts (approx 220 grit)
5 3m Trizact A45 belts (approx 320 grit)

There's a bit of money sunk into that order, but it will carry you a good long way, and there's enough there so you won't use them like they cost as much as they do! I still have to remind myself of this, but some of the wisest words in knifemaking are "Use belts like they're free."

Pop's Knife and Supply would be my vote for 'where to buy'.

Pop's


Del, when are you sending me those free 6" long samples of all your damascus patterns?:eek: :D
 
Ok, I placed an order last night after reading some other threads about gearing up with a 2x72. I wound up ordering:

10x Blaze 80 grit belts from Trugrit

and the following from Pop's:
5x Klingspor 120 grit
3x Klingspor 220 grit
3x Klingspor 400 grit
(and some other goodies)

I suppose that should last me for a couple weeks (since I can only work on knives for a couple hours each day at night). At least until my next payday, anyway :D

Thanks for the advice guys. Now, I'm going to stand out in the rain and wait for the UPS truck... for three days or so. Sigh....

-Parke1
 
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