Belt Polishing

I

itrade

Joined
Jul 3, 2002
Messages
645
I've read instructions for finish polishing by hand. I've read instructions for polishing with wheels. I've read about using a palm sander (very cool).

I've heard about using fine grits or compounds on a 2" belt. Does anyone do it this way?

Specifically I was wondering if I can load up a used 2" 600grit belt with green chrome?

Steve

(PS Rhino, et al, I did go with a 2x42 sears belt grinder. I'm having a blast right now. So don't tell me how much better a $500-1000 2x72 grinder is ;) )
 
Steve I go from 400 grit to a 600 grit cork belt loaded with GC, then to the buffing wheel with white then pink. Hope this answers your question.

I have used old 400 or 600 grit belts loaded with grey compound too but this step seems unnecessary to me now.

Dave
 
my first machine was a 1x42. and lots start with that sears 2x42. you get the best belts in 2x72, as far as loading polish on a used belt, many do that. you can flip the belt over and start with the cloth side. there are no rules except have fun and stay safe.
 
ddavelarsen:

Thanks!

I'll have to give it a try. I ordered some 50% Green Crome and can't wait to try it with a belt, palm sander, and maybe by hand. (Some day I'll add a 1700 rpm buffer. I hear you shouldn't do it with a 3400.)


Rhino:

There were 2 things that pushed me into the 2". One was your advice. The other was that I found AO, SC, and Zirconia belts from 24 to 800. In 2x42!

Also, I liked the cast iron case. I appears I could, with a little trimming and an extention rod, add a contact wheel and use 72" belts.

there are no rules except have fun and stay safe.
Click to expand...

I appreciate the advice. That became appearant real quick. I read about all the accidents and booboo's folks here have received. And, honestly, I'm suprised it hasn't been worse.

Pressing an 8" piece of thin, pointed steel on a high friction device running at 3000 RPMs .... well let's just say it makes me nervous. I reload and shoot pistols and even cast my own bullets. But I find this hobby is probably more dangerous.

Steve
 
It's not mor dangerous Steve, just different. When loading you need to keep your mind on what your doing to prevent....Say, double charges of fast burning powder. When grinding you need to keep your thumbs off the belt :D Just use a little sense and you will do fine.

To your question about belt polishing, I've found it both non-productive because it's difficult to keep the belt from doing the famous bump. That spoils that beautiful finish...and it does not work as well for me as a hood high horsepower buffer. A word of caution though. IMHO the buffer is the most dangerous piece of equipment in the shop.
Hope you enjoy the grinding...keeps me almost normal!:o
 
A cork belt with green buffing compound on it does a fine job but you still have to finish it off with a buffing wheel for a full mirror finish. The benefit of this method is that it reduced the amount of time required for buffing.... reduced buffing time equates to reduced risk levels.
 
Amen to the buffer being the most dangerous. Mainly because it doesn't look like it could do anything. I have heard and seen more bad things happen with a buffer than the other power tools in the shop. I always keep "2" hands on what I am buffing and pay attention to where the wheel is buffing.
On the hollow grind, I use a 600 grit cork belt and finish up with hand sanding. My sanding stick is shaped to the hollow grind so it doesn't rub out the grind lines. A light buffing does the trick after the hand sanding.
 
Steve,

I have tried the cork belts in 400 and 600 grits and they won't work for me. But I do about all flat grinds on a hard platen and was told by Steve Johnson that most all his grinds are done on rubber wheels. The rubber being softer and more forgiving gives him beautiful results, but for me its back to the hand sanding. So if you can do flat grinds on a hard platen and bring them to a mirror finish with cork, Please tell me how. :confused:

Thanks

Bill
 
Thanks guys,

I'll be trying it as soon as the new belts arrive.

You have me worried on this buffing thing! I'll see if I can rig up a 4" buffer to minimize speed & risk. Here's my splendid plan:

Shape on 36 grit disc

Grind blade with 60 grit belt.
Clean up with 120 then 400. (I read some of you guys go from 60 to 400.)
Start polish with 800
After that belt wears down add green chrome

Buff it out with .... ?

Hey how about clamping the blade to a support and using an orbital polisher? (I'm starting with kitchen knives so there aren't any grind lines to keep - flat grinds to the back.)

Steve
 
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