2x72 belt issues with higher grits.

[BadKnife]

Good day, I am very new to grinding with a 2x72 grinder and have run into a problem. The issue is that when I use a 60 or 80 grit belt with a thick backing everything is fine. When I move up in grits 220 and above where the backing is thinner I run into issues with the belt skipping. It seems that it is where the tape is joining the belt.
Is this a common issue or is it just the belts I'm using? Are there any work arounds?

Thank you.

 

[Don Carlos Andrade]

If I'm hearing right, you talking about the 'bump' at the joint?

....Depends on the belts....but common practice is to remove some (if not all) of the abrasive at the butt-joint using some other hand held abrasive. I use an older folding DMT diamond stone,others use a file or whatever works.

This is true for the 220 ceramic belts & most people generally want those to run smooth as that's often where some makers finish their work in stainless.

That's my 2-cents.....having only had a grinder for 3-years...I'm still learning too

-DON

 

[RevDevil]

These topics belong in Shop Talk, The Custom and Handmade section is not for how to topics, equipment questions, etc. It should be just about the finished knives or knives that are well on their way to being finished.

 

[Drew Riley]

Yes, this is a common problem called belt bump. As stated, you can reduce it by taking a diapad (or similar diamond abrasive block / pad) and knocking some of the belt down at the splice.

Some belts are better than others, and typically the engineered abrasive belts are a little more forgiving in this regard, while still maintaining a high finish grit.

 

[LARRYZ10]

Sometimes you just need a different belt but sanding the seam bumps down usually helps. You can go overboard trying new belts however. I have a friend who has this problem. Here's a couple photos:

Larry

 

[Justice4all]

The Norton Norzon bluefires I use to combat this work well. Nearly any of the heavier weight belts I've tried don't have this issue. The Norton engineered belts are also very good about having little to no bump.