Diamond 2 X 72 Belt Sourcing, Pricing and Suggested Courseness??

R

rlinger

Joined
Mar 29, 2002
Messages
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I have been wondering about that lately and would be serious about it if I thought I could learn how to use one or two properly. I am guessing they are big bucks. What really got me considering them is finishing steels such as s30v. Also, I have been wondering about trying my hand at BG-42. Well, that type stuff. Please advise.

Thanks. RL
 
Call James Poplin. They run about $35-40 each (I use 1 x 72) but if you keep them wet (I use a Cool Mist unit) they will last a long time. 3M make them. 1200 up to 3000 mesh if you are going to hand satin finish and up to 8000 if you are going for a mirror polish.
Mike Irie uses them with WD40 as the "wet" agent.
 
Originally posted by rlinger
Also, I have been wondering about trying my hand at BG-42. Well, that type stuff. Please advise.

Thanks. RL
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You won't have any problems with BG42. The first time I used it, I sat at the bandsaw, got positioned, and pushed hard on the push stick.
Before I could pull back, the bandsaw blade was an inch into the push stick. Scary easy to cut.
It ground so easy that I sent it to Latrobe for testing. I had heard so many stories of how hard the stuff was to work, that I thought I had something else.
It turned out to be the correct steel though. Just real easy to work, much more so than ATS34, or 440C.:eek:
 
Kit, can you give me some advise on how to contact James Poplin?? Also, can I just spray WD-40 on the belt periodically?? I can not set up a wet outfit in my living room/machine shop :confused: .

Thanks Kit. I had no idea it could be 30 or 40 bucks. I was figuring more than that. Maybe I can get 3 of different courseness. Should I though?? What I want is mirror finish. What courseness belts should I ask for to finish s30v to that (of course I understand the true mirror comes after the buff)?? I guess what I am asking is what grits should I get.

Mike, I am supprised too. I guess BG-42 must have gained a legendary mistique. I remember reading in a A.G.Russel cataloge a couple years ago about how hard it was to grind. Marketing, I suppose.

Mike, since you have worked BG-42 how do you like it as blade steel for hunting type knives?? What kind of rating do you give it for that purpose??

Thanks both of you. Please advise. RL
 
Of course!!!! James Poplin. It did not click. All I have known him as is 'Pop'. Hell he's my supplier. Why didn't he say he sold diamond belts when he mentioned to me that some makers use them(?). I never saw them in his cataloge and never thought of him selling them since he acted like I didn't need any. I am embarressed. I buy all my belts from Pop. Hell, he'll answer all my questions now that I know he sells them.

Problem solved. RL
 
Originally posted by rlinger

Mike, since you have worked BG-42 how do you like it as blade steel for hunting type knives?? What kind of rating do you give it for that purpose?? RL
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My nephew uses one for cleaning wild boars. He said it performs better than anything he has used previously.

I am in the process of making a hunter for him from S30V. I think he will like the performance of that even more.
 
Not bad for diamond belts! I priced some through a lapidary supply outfit. They told me they needed to"special make" them, and they would be $150 for 2X72! I am glad I have never ordered anything through them.
 
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