Buying Belts

J

jawilder

Joined
Jun 27, 2006
Messages
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I'm about to buy some new belts for my 2x42 craftsman and need some belt advise. I have been using Aluminum Oxide belts but want to move up to something better. I was wondering what ya'll use for stock removal and what you use for shaping the handle? What about polishing... will the cork belt work with the 2x42 without cutting the guard off?
 
I use the 2x72 norton ceramic 50 and 120 for stock removal. Above that I have the CF gators in A65, 45, 30. I have not tried the blaze yet, just the regular ceramic.
 
I have the Craftsman, and there isn't as wide a selection as there is for 2x72. I liked ceramic in about 60x and 120x, and then the CF gators above that (I have 240x and 400x...not sure if any others are available.) It's my understanding the run of the mill AO belts are as good as anything for handle shaping. I couldn't really find any Jflex in 2x42 but that would be helpful for contouring and smoothing handles.

TruGrit is where I purchased mine.
 
Tru-grit has a wide selection of belts for the 2 X 42. Check out their web site and good prices also.
Stan
 
trugrit.com has a good selection of 2x42. shipping is usually 10 or 12 dollars, FYI. I have used quite a few of the cheap zirconia belts they sell, and have used some of the klingspor belts in the higher grits. They work Ok, but seem to build up goo working wood, and start burning faster than I want them to. In my last order I got a 3m gator in 400 that I like pretty well, so I ordered a 160 gator also. I also got some of the blue belts, and so far haven't liked them too much for wood and haven't tried them on steel. Short version of all that is that I haven't found one I like for wood yet, although part of the problem is that the craftsman is wicked fast.
 
Give John Williams a call at Klingspor - 1-800-645-5555

They carry all the belts you will need. He can help you sort out what would be best. Tell him what type of setup you have ,and what you are going to grind.

Some suggestions for types and weights that should work on your grinder:
CS411 Y weight, from 24-180 grit
LS309 J weight from 80-500 grit
CS310 XF weight from 40-240 grit
CS310 X weight from 24-600 grit

Klingspor gives a good discount for quantity, starting at a fairly small order (I order by the hundred). If you wanted a starter order, try something like this, then reorder the belts you like the best and use the most in appropriate numbers:
CS411 Y 50,100,180 - two each
LS309 J 100,220,400 - three each
CS310 XF 100,240 - two each
CS310 X 180,320,600 - three each

Stacy
 
I just use the 50 and 120 grit from sears for the grind. For stock removal I bought some 36 grit from tru grit. I use the 36 to get the handles close to the final shape, then use files as to not mess it up cause of the fast speed of the 2x42 grinder.
 
I ended up getting several belts from supergrit. Their website was easiest to use and prices were very good. Thanks everyone!
 
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