Belts

[Stark Knives]

I was going to get a 1x30 belt sander soon and I was wondering if the following belts from Econabrasives is a good starting point.

1 80 grit

1 220 grit

2 400 grit

2 15 micron film

2 9 micron film

1 leather honing belt

Would this be enough to get a mirror polish? What compound should I get for the leather belt?

Thanks,

Erdbeereis

 

[Komitadjie]

I'd replace the 80 with a 120, myself, and get about three of each grit in the grit belts. Two of the micron-graded belts in each grit will be fine, they last fairly well.

I'd get two leathers, myself. Go to Econ's compounds, and get one bar of white, and one bar of the Extra-fine green. You can run the leather either side out, I run it with the rough side out on mine.

That's going to depend on your value of "mirror" polish, and how well each steel responds to the compounds, but in my experience, that set will put a nicely polished edge on. That's the exact set from Econ I started out with, actually. I ended up upgrading to 3m's "Trizact" belts, made up by a fellow named Doug Rising once I got the hang of sharpening on a belt. Welcome to the club, you're really going to enjoy it!

As a possible suggestion, if at ALL possible, get a 1x42. The belts last longer, and there's a wider range of choices available. The Kalamazoo SM1 is the cat's meow for sharpening, if you can swing the price tag. ($200). If not, then get the slowest 1x42 you can find conveniently.

 

[Stark Knives]

Thanks! I think I'll stick with the 1x30 for now. Did you mean the polish with the two leather belts or with one?

I'll try to remember to post my results when I get them.

Thanks again,

Erd

 

[Komitadjie]

Ok, just remember that the higher-speed belt will build heat in the blade quickly. Keep a cup of water handy, and if you can feel ANY heat in your fingertips as you bring the blade off the belt (check right at the edge) it's time to dip it in the water and cool it down. Very, very light pressure is the way to go, let the belt remove the metal, pressure isn't required.

Put the green polish on one belt, then the white on the other. You'll use the green first, then the white.