belts?

C

cory

Joined
Dec 23, 2001
Messages
63
Ok guys I have always heard the debate over grinding belts. I have been away for a while. I always used to buy those cheap industrial abrasives belts. They did well I thought but wore out fast. Ok the knife I just made was made with belts that needed to be discarded 6 mos ago. So I need new belts. Money is tight too. So I should get a christmas bonus (I hope) and if I do I am gonna buy some new belts. What should I buy? I remember everyone saying how good belts cost more up front but last 3-4 times longer than belts like I have been using. I have never taken the leap to find out for myself cause I was always scared to spend the money. Ok what should a guy do when he doesn't know when his next belt purchase will be possible after my next one? My buddy owns the local gunshop and has some of my past knives but hasn't sold any in almost a year. People buy his cheap $10 knives all the time but anything with a $50 price tag just sits on his shelf. Economy sucks around here so people are afraid to spend their money. So I cannot count on knife sales to fund my equipment costs. If I get a bonus and have money for a belt supply what is my best option for life and money and can someone steer me to a good place to buy them? Sorry for the long story but wanted everyone to know the situation so they can put themselves in my shoes and think what they would do. I would sure like to try some of these belts that everyone talks about being so awesome they even do the grinding for them lol. Just kidding. Anyone?
 
http://www.geocities.com/kat36_98/sandpaper.html, This is where I buy 60, 80, 120, and 220 grit belts. You can buy direct or get even better deals, from her auctions off of ebay. They are good quality and moderately priced. I buy my finishing belts from Truegrit and Pop's Knife Supply. Norton has some new belts out, that are kick a**, Norzons. They are not cheap, @$5.20, but they really last and cut well. I stiil get and use the 3M Trizacs, not quit as high as the Norzons and the newer ones are waterproof.
Good luck on the eye surgery bud, I have had several eye surgerys in the past 2 years and know where you are coming from. Hope to see you on the forums more often.
Ken (wwjd)
 
For hogging,The 3M 977 is hard to beat,and the norax belts are really nice and put a great finish on blades.:)
 
Ken, I bought some belts from Barbara and they just didn't perform for me at all. What steels are you working and what speeds? I use Carbo Schroeder a/o belts that I buy for $1.70 and they grind alot better. It's amazing how different folks make different things work so well!
 
Ok r these belts from the link better than the belts that industrial abrasives sells? Does she not offer finer grits than 220? What is better between the zirconia or the aluminum oxide. Has anyone purchased the 3M belts from jantz? Cory
P.S. Eye surgery went fine. I am slowly getting over the pain but wow it is intense at times.
 
L6 - did you try the Zircs that barbara sells? I go some for 2.20 - seem to work and last pretty well.

Bob
 
Cory
I got my 3M 977 from tru-grit,Pop also sales them,He is very good to deal with and has supper fast shipping.
N:)
Glade the surgery went well
 
I picked up a 10 pack of 4 x 36 50 Grit Zirconia belts for $20. Check eBay for a seller named discount_abrasives. I ripped out most of an 8" tanto in about an hour...
 
Cory I'm a believer that the more costly belts are cheaper in the long run because they last so much longer. However, I've found that it's very valuable to follow manufacturer's recommendations as to speed and pressure to maximize the belt's life.

I use 3M ceramic belts in the heavier grits, 36 to 120, and Norax belts 220 and 400. I've found that running the ceramic at higher speed greatly extends their cutting life; I've been using the same two 36 and 60 grit belts for 15 knives and they show no tendency to quit cutting.

The 220 and 400 belts don't last as long; I still estimate maybe 3 knives per 220 and one knife per 400 belt. I'll add that I think I'm learning to extend the life of the Norax 30s (400 grit) too, by applying the right about of pressure.

I think my "standard belt ratio" would look something like:

36 - 1
60 - 2
120 - 3
220 - 3
400 - 9

That is to say, I'd use nine 400s for every 36 grit belt.

And when I say "knife" I'm talking about an average overal length of 10" or so, and including handle work.

For what it's worth, at the end of the year I'm going to go back over two year's belts purchases and knives produced. I want to work this all out in detail so that I can get a reasonably accurate "cost-per-inch" of knife. Belts are the one thing I have most difficulty estimating when I cost out a knife; right now I just say I spend $20 for abrasives on each one. That's probably way too high but the best guess I can make. And I'm willing to bet most makers underestimate the cost of the belts and paper they use in each knife.

All that being said, I think Michael is right; as all makers have different work methods different belts work for each.

I've been buying my belts from Tru Grit, someday will give Pop's a try too just because of his good karma.
 
I remember a company called abrasives south that Bruce Evans told me about when I first met him. I called them yesterday and I forogt who made the belts they sold but it was not norton or 3m but the lady told me they competed with the other names well enough that they continually supplied lots of companies. And in the coarser grits the zirconian( I think that is aluminum oxides competitor?) was under $3 a belt. She asked how I heard of them and I mentioned Bruce's name and she instantly knew who I was talking about. So I am under the impression that Bruce must still be buying his belts from them. I kind of figured if Bruce does they must be a pretty good belt as he is far enough along in his career that he needs a good belt to make a living. So they are sending me a price list and I think I may go with them. For the record, can anyone tell me what it is about a cheap belt that makes it "cheap" and not last as long?
 
Cory, Abrasives South use Schroeder stock from Germany. I like their belts and their pricing.
Examples: Zirconia Belts
2X72X60G= 2.39
2X72X80G= 2.34
2X72X100&up= 2.32

Ken (wwjd)
 
Dave
I find the same thing you do with the 3M 50grit 977
I have profiled a couple knives with one belt and it shows know signs
of letting up,I like the 3M 977 and the Norton ceramic 50 grit
the 977 cut fast I have also hollow ground several knives with the same belt that I have profiled with.Geno Denning told me he has profiled 100 blades with a 977,I think that would be getting more that your money worth from that type of proformance.
 
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