3M Gator Belts?

A

andybill

Joined
Dec 29, 2008
Messages
53
Hey all,

I'm buying my first batch of belts for my 2x48 grinder, and was curious about these new gator belts. Supposedly they're great for finishing. Anyone had any experience with them?
I mostly forge to shape and then finish with files and a bench grinder, I'm hoping to replace those last two parts with this 2x48. I may try some strictly stock-removal projects soon as well.

And I know you guys are probably sick of this question, but what brands/grits do you guys recommend?

Thanks a lot,-Andy
 
andybill said:
Hey all,

I'm buying my first batch of belts for my 2x48 grinder, and was curious about these new gator belts. Supposedly they're great for finishing. Anyone had any experience with them?
I mostly forge to shape and then finish with files and a bench grinder, I'm hoping to replace those last two parts with this 2x48. I may try some strictly stock-removal projects soon as well.

And I know you guys are probably sick of this question, but what brands/grits do you guys recommend?

Thanks a lot,-Andy
Click to expand...

The gator belts are awesome, thy last forever. thy are a really great blending belt. I don't know if you can get them in 2x48 but if you can then i would say to get some. I use 400 and 600 grit gator belts. Now my process of grinding go as such. I start with a 40 or 50 grit Norton Blaze belt then when its all ground out i usually go to heat treat. then after heat treating i go back the the 40 or 50 grit blaze belts and clean up my lines and get everything ready for the next grit. I then can go to either a 120 or 220 depending on what i have. but most of the time i use 220 grit. then i go over it with a 400 grit gator belt and then finish it with a 600 grit gator belt. but this all depends of the finish I'm going for. this is the process i use if the blade will get a bead blasted finish. I hope this helps.
 
I started using A160 and A45 Gator belts on my 2x48. They're better than A/O belts of the same approximate grits for steel, and zirconia alumina belts in higher grits are hard to find.

I'd like to try Blaze belts, but I don't think they make them for 2x48s.
 
Tru Grit has 2x48" Norton belts in lower grits. They aren't Blaze belts but they may last longer than zirconia. I don't know.
 
Awesome, I'll definetly get the gators from 80 up to 400, which is the range tru grit offers in 2x48.

I need some other belts in lower grits for roughing out handles, something that will hold up to oily exotic hardwoods. Ideas?

You guys are great, thanks
 
They are worth the money. They are slower at stock removal than AO/Zirconium/Ceramic belts are, but they do last a long time.

I would just cheap AO belts for handles, wood clogs up the belt anyways. Depending on where you order from, you can get some very decent cheap low grit belts. Pop's sells zirconium spiked AO belts for around $2 each that are really decent for what they are.
 
Tru Grit does have 2 X 48 blaze. There not on the web-site but you can call and get them. Worth every penny.
 
Andy,

For the main stock removal-120 grit and below-I woiuld get Blaze belts. I was using Norzon belts and they were ok. I asked Tracy from Midwest Knifemakers supply and he recommended Blaze for stock removal. I bought some from him and my grinding immediately improved. Not only do they last 2-3 times longer but they cut hardened steel much, much better, with lighter pressure. They are of a harder material than the Gators. Norzons leave a gray film on handles.

For 220 and above, I also recommend the Gator belts. They last a long time.

I see no reason why cheap aluminum oxide belts wouldn't work on any and all wood handle materials. I've used them on ironwood and coocobolo with no problems. You will need one of those rubber belt cleaning sticks to declog them. Hope this helps.

Gerry Hamrick
 
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