belt grit

[deltablade]

I am starting to use a belt sander to regrind the edge on some machetes. could anyone tell me the right grit or grit sequence to use?

 

[silver_pilate]

I'd set the edge with a new and sharp 220. Maybe even a 150 if it's really abused. Then move up from 220 to 400 and finish it on a dull 400 or 600. Careful not to overheat when grinding. Take a pass and let it cool or dunk it in water.

A working machete doesn't need much more than that. I'd say a 220 and a 400 would get you by just fine.

--nathan

 

[deltablade]

many thanks, Nathen

I'd set the edge with a new and sharp 220. Maybe even a 150 if it's really abused. Then move up from 220 to 400 and finish it on a dull 400 or 600. Careful not to overheat when grinding. Take a pass and let it cool or dunk it in water.

A working machete doesn't need much more than that. I'd say a 220 and a 400 would get you by just fine.

--nathan

 

[Sam Salvati]

120 grit then buff 2 passes on each side, it'll be the most agressive edge you've ever seen!

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Guys, This is "Around The Grinder", not Shop Talk.
I'll move the thread.

 

[deltablade]

so where did you move this? how can I get there?

 

[silver_pilate]

You are here.

It's in the Shop Talk forum in the Makers section.

--nathan

 

[silver_pilate]

Sam has a good point. I typically go way higher on grits for edges, but for a machete, you don't really need much. 120-220 will leave a very toothy aggressive edge. It won't push cut paper, but it's a freaking machete .

--nathan

 

[sunshadow]

I sharpen my machetes with a sharp 220 grit, they work great with that

-Page

 

[me2]

A filed edge works really well on light flexible plants, like grass and those *&()^ rose bushes with the tiny fragile thorns. I usually use 120 or 180 for sharpening, followed by a power strop on a leather belt made for the belt sander.

 

[deltablade]

thanks much help