3M 967, 977, 984f belt opinions ?

[john april]

i have been using the 984f 2x72 36 grit cubitron belts, they are the first 3m belts i tried. i just got a 967 36 grit belt, and after one blade, it doesn't seem like it will last long as the 984f. any opinions on how the 977 belts compare to those two ? maybe the 967 is not good for profiling or something. are these belts material specific ? meaning one might be better for aluminum or iron versus steel? any info / lore appreciated. thanks.

 

[jdm61]

I settled on the 984's. I like them better than the Blaze belts too because they seem to have a less "gummy" backing.

 

[Jason Fry]

Personally, I love the 967's on hardened stainless, running fast. They keep on cutting for a long, long time. There are other belts that cut better for profiling or annealed steel, but for grinding bevels on hardened stainless, they're the best I've found.

 

[Tim Pollack]

Jason,I see the 967's are for dry use only. Do u dip your hardened blade in water? what does that do to the belt?

 

[Karl B. Andersen]

Your grinding style and tooling used will greatly effect belt efficiency and longevity.

 

[S.Grosvenor]

For me and my style, i've settled on the 984

 

[Jason Fry]

I haven't had any issues from water dipping while using 967s.

 

[Tim Pollack]

THX Mr Fry

 

[Don Hanson III]

3M 984f are by far the best 36,60,80 grit belts I've ever used.

 

[john april]

thanks guys, i will stick with the 984f and not bother trying the 977.