Best Place To Buy 2x72" Belts -- Best Price?

The supergrit ceramics are okay, but like most things you get what you pay for and they won't last as long as Nortons or 3M's.
 
OK. Man I have been looking at belts for way too long now. There are just so many out there.

So for starters would the Norton Norzan Zirc belts be good? I guess I really don't know what the difference is between the zirc and ceramic belts. Sorry guys I am not trying to be difficult, just have no clue which I am sure is obvious.

I would prefer to order from just one place. USAknifemaker has the Norzon Zircs in 60,120,220, for only $4.12. I just know nothing about zirc belts. I would like to get some of the Gator belts, but they are from Pops which would make me have to place two separate orders which eats up funds on shipping.

Arrrrr.....................

Thanks
Greebe
 
If you order from Pop's get the 3M 977's and 3M Gator's. If you order from Tracy get the Blaze and Norax. These are all premium belts but I promise they are actually cheaper because of the belt life. In the coarser belts I can get 10-12 blades out of one belt but only 1-2 out of a cheap belt. In the finer grit Gator's and Norax belts you will lose count of the blades you grind with one before it wears out. Good luck.

Darrin
 
The most used belts from my shop are 36 grit Aluminum Oxide from Industrial Abrasives -1- 800-428-2222 buy 12 - get 12 free. They don't last forever but you get the joy of using a fresh sharp belt more often. When new they cut very well, but like any abrasive belt only cut great for the first 1/2 hour or so, they are affordable and you don't feel guilty tossing them when they loose that first aggressive quality.
 
Ed Fowler said:
The most used belts from my shop are 36 grit Aluminum Oxide from Industrial Abrasives -1- 800-428-2222 buy 12 - get 12 free. They don't last forever but you get the joy of using a fresh sharp belt more often. When new they cut very well, but like any abrasive belt only cut great for the first 1/2 hour or so, they are affordable and you don't feel guilty tossing them when they loose that first aggressive quality.
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Hey Ed,

Thanks for your advice. You are the only one who has suggested AO. I admire your craftsmanship and your blades so I trust your opinion. Do you do all of your blade work on AO as well? Also if one was to use just AO, what grits would be good to have other than 36grit for the whole blade finishing process?

Something to consider.

Thanks
Greebe
 
Thank You for the kind words Greebe:

The only AO belts we use are 36 grit. Sometimes I find a need for a 60 grit belt and I use a Cubitron 3 M.

From the 36 grit I go to a Gator belt, P65, P45, then to a Norax X-22 then a X-16. From that I go to scratchless pink on a 3M Neutral Scotch Brite. Then to a loose muslin buff again with scratchless pink.
 
I've been using Paypal more and more any of those sellers listed take Paypal as a payment?
 
Bump!

Info in this thread still relevant or is there something/somewhere better out there now days?
 
This is just my opinion, I've bought a few hundred belts over the last year trying to figure out what works best for me.

Cubitron 984F ceramic belts are the best on the market. Pops Knife Supply has the best price. If you buy belts in small quantities these are the best bang for your buck.

Combat Abrasives ceramic belts when purchased in bulk at their bulk discount are 40% less per belt than 984s, so if you can swallow buying 24 at a time I think they're the best value of all I've tried.

They also have great pricing on bulk Aluminum Oxide belts. These are not their belts, but Deerfoss or others, and in boxes of 48 are only $1/belt.

So I've been buying 36, 60 and 120 grit ceramics in quantity of 24 each, and 220, 320, 400 in quantities of 48 each from them and I think that's the best deal out there.

For finishing, I still like Norax and Trizact belts from wherever you find them. Pops, Trugrit, etc.
 
John,
Have you tried the 3M 947 40 grit? If so how would you say they compare to the combat abrasive ceramic belts? I grind exclusively full thickness/post heat treat and usually toss the 40 grit belts after two knives MAYBE three depending on the size/thickness. Appreciate the info bro. :thumbsup:

Blessings,
Joshua
 
I think 2 knives post heat treat is doing pretty good for most 36-40 grit belts. I do not recall how the 947 worked for me specifically. I did try a couple but did not buy any more. I thought the 984 were an improvement. But, I do the majority of stock removal prior to heat treat.

Material matters. AEB-L grinds pretty quickly post heat treat. 1075, 1084, even 1095 and W2 are not bad. But 80CRV2 and the powder steels made me give up on it on all but kitchen type blades.
 
120 Acres said:
Bump!

Info in this thread still relevant or is there something/somewhere better out there now days?
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Tru-grit https://trugrit.com/ has a good selection, ok prices, and outstanding service. Supergrit is ok. I one word is SHOP. Amazon has a Norton store and sometimes has very good sales. Ebay has several stores that just sell 2x72 belts for knifemakers. think outside the box. look at these belts http://www.ebay.com/itm/50-count-3M...500752?hash=item3f7ad1aad0:g:vFMAAOSwll1W0Mkl I move the arm the platen is on an inch closer to the motor and they work just fine. 80 cents each, Tru-grit wants $6 each in 2x72.
 
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