Abrasive belt questions

[BonhamBlades]

So far you all have helped me pick my grinder, forge, forge tools, quench oil and I am sure I am missing a thing or two. This weeks questions are in regards to Abrasive belts.What I would like to know is what you use in your shop for wood as well as steel, from start to finish what brands, grits and where you buy them. Thanks in advance for taking a moment to help me. Sorry I should specify 2x72 belts.

 

[thartman]

I have been buying my belts from Pops Knives and supplies. I use the following belts for metal work. 3M977 cubitron 50, 80 and 120 grit. 3M 967 80 grit. 3M regalite polycot 707E 220 grit. 3M Trizact A300, A100 and A65. Hermes RB406 J-flex 80, 220 and 400 grit. I also use Hermes RB346 600 grit for final sharpening .

 

[Jason Fry]

There are others who can make better recommendations than I can as far as belts for hogging/profiling and for grinding after heat treat, but I can make a couple of good recommendations.

Get some of the Norax/Gator/Trizact structured abrasive belts. They're great for finish work and they last a LONG time. I usually use the 160, 240, 400 grit ones, but my grinder runs a little fast for finer grits than that.

Some folks use worn out steel grinding belts for their handle material. My grinder runs fast enough that worn belts will burn the handle material, and the belts clog up quickly. I've gone to using the 100 or 120 grit AO belts from Supergrit. They come 10 to a box for about $2.25 apiece. I figure if the handle belts are going to clog or wear quickly, I'm better off using cheap belts.