3M Trizact vs. Norton Norax?

PIndelicato

PIndelicato

Joined
Sep 16, 2002
Messages
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I have a new grinder on the way finally (KMG!!!) and I started poking around on Pop's and Tracy's sites deciding what kind of belts to get for it. For my Craftsman, I've tried a few belts and at this point seem to like a ceramic 60x belt for grinding bevels, then a 120x (not decided on a type yet), and then I really like Trizacts in 240x and 400x. I've heard great things about Blaze belts, so I decided I would try some in 60x and 120x, and then get some of the Trizacts in successive grits like the ones I have now for the 2x42.

ANYWAY, that was a long winded way to say that neither Pop's or Tracy had both Trizacts and Blaze, and that led me to my 'discovery' of the Norax belts on Tracy's site. They seem to be a comparable product to the Trizacts based upon the description there, but I couldn't find any comparisons by searching either here or Google.

Are the Trizacts and Norax belts similar/comparable/competitive products? If I like Trizacts, will I likely like Norax belts for the same reasons? (ie, nice even finish, very long life, flexible backing, etc.)

Thanks!
 
Get Gators up to A45 then use trizacts after that..... I've used Trizacts for years and really prefer the Gators.
 
"Trizact" is a bit confusing because the Gators are actually "Trizact CF". I'm not too fond of the regular trizact but like both Gators and Norax. The Gators seem a bit better to me in medium grits for finishing after rough grinding but the Norax are more flexible which sometimes helps in later grits.
 
I like Blaze in 36 and 50 grit, Trizact CF A300 (80 grit), A160 (120 grit), A100 (180 grit) and A45 (320?grit). Then I like Norax in X30 and X22. I think the Norax outcut the regular Trizact belts. I like to finish with a cork belt loaded with CrO rouge. Supergrit has cork belts with andwithout abrasive at reasonable prices.
 
Thanks guys! I just learned something, and that is that Gator and Trizact are not the same thing (I have been using the CF Gators by the way.)

For those recommending going with Gators up to A45, then either Trizacts or Norax after that, is this because the higher grit Gators do not work as well as the other grits mentioned?

Thanks for everyone's feedback!
 
I don't think they make a gator beyond A45, they make the other trizacts up to higher grits, not sure how high.

I need to get some more cork belts. That's a good way to get a nice foundation for handrubbed finishes.
 
I am using 40 and 60 grit blaze then 120 blaze then I got to engineered abrasive micron belts; 100 then 65. I get them from Tracy Mickley. I finish the blades with scotch brite belts for a sating finish or cork belts with green abrasive. Tracy has what you need and good service to boot.
 
Will Leavitt said:
I don't think they make a gator beyond A45, they make the other trizacts up to higher grits, not sure how high.

I need to get some more cork belts. That's a good way to get a nice foundation for handrubbed finishes.
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Oops, didn't realize that. Sorry!

I need to read up on cork belts, I see them mentioned occasionally but haven't paid much attention to them so far.

Big Smitty said:
I am using 40 and 60 grit blaze then 120 blaze then I got to engineered abrasive micron belts; 100 then 65. I get them from Tracy Mickley. I finish the blades with scotch brite belts for a sating finish or cork belts with green abrasive. Tracy has what you need and good service to boot.
Click to expand...

I've ordered from Tracy before and had excellent service from him. I don't see 60x Blaze on his site, however. I don't know if he's not carrying them, or if he's just out of stock (or if I'm an idiot and can't find them.) I see 40x, 80x, and 120x. I had one 36x belt for my Craftsman and I didn't like it much...it constantly launched grit missiles at me whenever I used it and I think it's probably too aggressive for my skill level.


Thanks guys.
 
Will Leavitt said:
I don't think they make a gator beyond A45, they make the other trizacts up to higher grits, not sure how high.

I need to get some more cork belts. That's a good way to get a nice foundation for handrubbed finishes.
Click to expand...

I use A30 (600 grit) Gators pretty frequently :thumbup:. But, that's about as fine a grit as I can get a hold of in a Gator.
- Mitch
 
Thanks Patrice, I'll check that out and learn what the cork belts are all about.

Troop, I think I saw the A30 at TruGrit but nothing higher. I've not used anything beyond a 400x belt to this point so I'm not sure how high of a grit I need to go with. Does grinding with a 600x or higher belt save lots of hand sanding time?
 
Thanks guys, This kind of info is gold to us newbies. P J 234 we chatted about your KMG purchase and just wanted to say congrats on your purchase !
 
Josh Dabney said:
Thanks guys, This kind of info is gold to us newbies. P J 234 we chatted about your KMG purchase and just wanted to say congrats on your purchase !
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I agree Josh; people sharing their experience is invaluable to me. I'm very excited about the grinder arrival, and thanks for chatting withe me about it. The 10" wheel is backordered so I've asked Rob to ship me everything else now (I don't know if I can stand waiting a couple/few weeks to get my hands on it!)

I've spent the last couple of days just trying to figure out what all I need and where to buy it. Unfortunately I can't seem to find everything I want from a single supplier, so it looks like I'm going to be making multiple orders (I hate paying multiple shipping charges if I can help it!)
 
I think Tru-grit carries everything you want. They're about the only people I know that CAN sell Norton and 3M, normally those companies force the supplier to choose brands.
 
You're right Will, TruGrit does seem to have all of the belts in question. It's some of the other miscellaneous stuff I wanted to get too (1x42 leather belt, liner material, mosaic pin stock, etc.) of which they don't have everything.
 
Spread the wealth Paul, spread the wealth. :)

I'm not sure if all their stuff is listed on their website but iffen I 'member right they have a lot of other stuff in their catalog.
 
It's just one of my (many?) neurotic pet peeves. :) I hate ordering something that costs say $9.25, and then paying $12 for shipping...
 
P J 234
I ordered my belts from trugrit and just FYI they dont include the shipping charges on the invoice. I was in a hurry with the belts cuz the KMG was on the way so I did 2nd day and shipping was $22 on a $55 order so plan ahead and have belts waiting on the grinder not the other way like me
- josh
 
P J 234 said:
Thanks Patrice, I'll check that out and learn what the cork belts are all about.

Troop, I think I saw the A30 at TruGrit but nothing higher. I've not used anything beyond a 400x belt to this point so I'm not sure how high of a grit I need to go with. Does grinding with a 600x or higher belt save lots of hand sanding time?
Click to expand...

I usually take my blades to the 600 grit Gator, then use Scotch Brite belts for a very nice satin finish.
 
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