belt sander questions

D

Damatinc

Joined
Mar 7, 2015
Messages
66
So here's my first blade so far. Im trying to figure out to make the flat edges on the blade. Mine are coming out more rounded. Im using a hf 1x30. Also how will I know it gets to hot to the point where a heat treat is effected while sanding? I haven't heat treated it yet.
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You don't have to worry about heat until after heat treat.

After heat treatment a couple ways to protect the temper are:

- hold the blade with your fingers
- dunk the blade in ice water every pass or two (you'll get a feel for it)

Be extra careful near the tip and heel where things are thin and it heats up fast. If it changes color you goofed up :).

I burnt a lot of my early blades and didn't worry about it too much. One softer spot won't make it unusable. So don't throw it away, finish it and see how well the edge holds.
 
Use the platen to keep your grinds crisp. The platen should ride behind the belt, pushing it out slightly. Don't press the blade so hard against the belt that you flex the platen.
 
You could also true up your flats with a single cut file and some draw filing. I love the 1 x 30 for it's value, but its platen and tracking are horrible. I know other people can do grinds on it, but I only do handles and profiling with it.
 
I started with files on this but I wanted to be able to remove a little more. I see if i can get some flat edges with files. Thanks
 
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