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Buying sanding belts

Hoss

Hoss

Joined
Mar 15, 1999
Messages
536
Does anyone have any suggestions on where to get the best deal on 2x72" sanding belts. I've seen them for sale in various knifemaking supply catalogs...usually for @ $3.00 or so a belt. I've been thinking about ordering some from Pearce Abrasive which advertises them for $1.50 each. Are these a good deal or just "cheap belts"? Any info or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Mahalo!!
 
DONT BUY CHEAP BELTS!!!!!!! if you do you are wasting your money....belts that cost between 3.50 and 5.50 last five to ten times longer.....go to trugrit.com.....tell them i said hi....or sheffields knife supply..not up to y2k yet......they dont even have a computer!!!!!!
 
All aluminum oxide belts on the market are basically the same in quality. The ones I am using from G.L. Pierce ($1.50 each - get the ones with the thick backing)are just as good or better than the Klingspor($3.00 + each)I purchased from a well known knife supplier before. They both wear out and become slick at the same rate. I am sick of the way that well known knife suppliers are gouging prices on most everthing they sell. I think they are trying to make a killing out of the surge in part-time makers who have other incomes and make knives mostly as a hobbie. Don't fall for it. If you are going to spend considerable funds on knifemaking supplies, shop around for the best prices on everything. Other wise you will be ripped off by the major, well advertised suppliers. All of this being said, I do believe it is worth the money to purchase good quality ceramic belts (3m or Norton). They do 30 to 40 times the work of aluminum oxide belts (on steel, don't use them on handle material), at only 2 to 3 times the cost. I think G.L. Pierce has these also. Nuff said.
 
I buy most of my belts from TruGrit. I have been very satisfied. I have not tried the cheaper belts listed above, but my choice has been Norton Hoggers for the rough stuff and 3M Trizac and Hermes J belts for more delicate work. The Trizac belts should have their edge softend with a bit of cerramic as they tend to dig in and the thin Hermes J belts are great to roll over the side of the wheel for getting into curves and softening shoulders.

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Ron Ruppé
www.ruppe.com/Knives/index.htm


[This message has been edited by Ruppe (edited 13 April 1999).]
 
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