Anybody ever have Supergrit's 1x30 36 grit ceramic belt snap on them?

S

scoobylovesjazz

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Feb 20, 2011
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After lurking and learning for a while, I finally started on my first knife. In my initial order of belts for my harbor freight 1x30 I got some 36 grit ceramic belts from Supergrit. The first one I put on snapped at the butt joint as soon as I turned the machine on (it looks like the tape let loose). I put on a second belt and it started up and ran fine for a minute or two, but snapped in the same place as the first once I started grinding. Now, I moved on to 50 grit (also ceramic) and everything has gone smoothly with it so far. This brings me to my question.

Do any of you think the belt snapping a fluke (i.e. a problem with the 36 grit belts in my order) or is the 36 grit just too stiff for the smaller wheels on the HF (which is what I think may be the issue)?

I will probably end up dropping Supergrit a line either way, but I figured it was worth seeking a little edification first.

John
 
I've put several hours on a 36 grit belt on my HF 30" without any problems.
 
Ive got the same grinder, had a similar problemwith the belts tattering as soon as I turned it on. Apparently it was a problem with the tensioner pulley I took it back and gota new grinder and didn't have the same problem again. U get what u pay for and harbor freight is not the best quality, can't knock em cause I use one too just not a high quality machine.
Sterling
 
I made dozens of knives on my old craftsman 1x30 without ever breaking a belt. I have broken a few on my 2x72 but those were worn out beyond the point where I should have thrown them away. Sounds like you might have a few bad belts.
 
Thanks for the input guys. Since the machine is running fine on the other belts I have used (50 ceramic, 80 oxide that came with it, and a cork belt) I tend to think it is just the 36 grits I got. I picked up some 1" gorilla tape and I am going to try "rebuilding" one of the belts to see if it just had some bad tape holding it together.

Sterling, I know what you are saying about the HF's quality, it just happened to be the grinder that was cheap enough that I didn't get wife grief. If I get into it, then I will figure out how to sneak a 2x72 into the garage.

John
 
Scooby, probably gonna take more than just tape to hold that together. Maybe the tape and crazy glue, but I am just thinking out loud as I dont have any experience w glueing/taping a splice on a belt.
 
I hear ya on the wife deal scoob I just tell mine I traded or got my tOols at garage sales lol she'd flip if she knew the cost of my shop, my kids don't need to go to college that bad do they?
 
FWIW, you can't repair/make your sanding belts at home. The glue used is a very special type. It is stored on dry ice and has a one day shelf life at room temp. The machine that does the joint is special,too. Super glue and tape will not work. You don't want belts slapping you in the face or tearing a knife from your hands. Get with SuperGrit and they will probably replace the belts.

Belt tension is the biggest cause of popping belts. It should be snug enough for smooth running , but not so taught that it tears the belt apart. Add coarse grits and small wheels to the equation and it gets even more critical.
 
ditto what bladsmth said, call SuperGrit, they have been very good to deal with, at least in my experiences. As Stacy said check your tension, and if your running over a flat platen of some sort but sure there isnt too much pressure on the belt/platten.
 
I'd stay away from trying to repair the belts and putting any wear on the ones that snapped right away. Chances are that you may be able to end them back for replacements.
 
i jsut got back from supergrit (sure is nice that there this close that i can jsut drive 15 min)
anyhow they said call and they will set you up

they are great ppl and i use them when i can (jsut wish i could get blaze belts from them )
 
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