Do you guys think the Trizact and the Norax belts numbers are the same grits?

LARRYZ10

LARRYZ10

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Feb 6, 2010
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Hey, Do any of you think that the Norax 65x is the same grit equivalent as the Trizact x65 and the x45 belts are about the same abrasiveness as the other? After I use a ceramic 220 belt by 3M or Hermes can I then go to norax 65 or the trizac 65 and have the same grit impact on my blade? It seems to me that the "gator belts (Trizact ) are a little more aggressive. I really like the Norax belts but I also really like the gator belts. I'd like the opinions of you guys that use both as I do and find out if their is a preference for any reason. Thanks for your opinions I don't keep records so even though I use dozens of each I do not know which lasts longer or gives the cleanest cuts longer. I don't care about the cost...only the performance. When I buy new ones which should I buy instead of both? Larry
 
Borax x65 is 220 and x45 is 320. If you look on trugrit the grit is in the belt size description. 2x72x220 x65. Trizact 65 is 240. They are close but not the same.

LARRYZ10 said:
Hey, Do any of you think that the Norax 65x is the same grit equivalent as the Trizact x65 and the x45 belts are about the same abrasiveness as the other? After I use a ceramic 220 belt by 3M or Hermes can I then go to norax 65 or the trizac 65 and have the same grit impact on my blade? It seems to me that the "gator belts (Trizact ) are a little more aggressive. I really like the Norax belts but I also really like the gator belts. I'd like the opinions of you guys that use both as I do and find out if their is a preference for any reason. Thanks for your opinions I don't keep records so even though I use dozens of each I do not know which lasts longer or gives the cleanest cuts longer. I don't care about the cost...only the performance. When I buy new ones which should I buy instead of both? Larry
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Larry,

As mentioned, the X65 is equivalent to 220 grit while Trizact A65 is equivalent to 240 grit.

I made a grit reference chart that which is small yet very easy to view at a quick glance. I have two of them taped above my bench and grinder in my shop. It helps me easily see the comparison between micron, standard grit, and the trizact "A" rating scales.

It is located on my website HERE.

I much prefer the U254 Norax belts to the Trizact Gators for most purposes, but the U254 do not stay "new" sharp for very long. When new, the Norax are incredible and provide a beautiful finish with little pressure. This is my "go to" belt for the last passes on the bevels before starting hand sanding.

I don't know if it's true (I haven't had the time to research Norton literature), but someone stated on this site that the Norax belts are best run completely dry. For this reason, I've been grinding, dipping my blade in H2O, then drying the blade before resuming grinding. The Norax belts have seemed to hold their "new" sharpness significantly longer since changing to this method.

Norton has introduced a "new" Norax belt (U936) within the last several years which looks like it may stay sharp much longer than the U254. I have two of them here that I'm eager to try. I think they are a Norton response the layered abrasives like the Trizacts.

Yet, I have several Trizacts which seem to never stop cutting . . . they have such a thick layer of abrasive. They are better when a more rigid belt is needed, in my opinion . . . perhaps finishing a plunge. Nothing against them, I just personally like to use the Norax belts.


Mike L.
 
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i love the gators i run them wet and use them to put a nice even finish on chef knives. as stated they are thick and due to that you can dress them with a grindign stone dresser and get new grit exposed. for me they are th longest lastign best bang for the buck belt out there
i go 50 80 some times 120 then to the A300 and work my way down to A65 then scotchbrite
 
Mike, I am going to your site and get your chart...thanks for the info. And Butch, I never thought of trying to dress my Gator belts but I will now. I guess I am going to keep a supply of both belts as I do now and use them both . A brand new Norax is hard to beat but the gators do seem to last a long time. Thanks for the comments. Larry
 
I just found out that there is a X22 Norax and a A20 Trizact that is about 800 grit. I like to high polish my stainless steel hunting knives so this will help get those 400 and 600 grit scratches before hand sanding. Thanks to all of you for giving me this useful information. Larry
 
I use the trizact belts but not the gators. I go from 220, a30, a16, then a6. I keep them dry just because I was told they would last longer. I haven't tried them wet.
LARRYZ10 said:
I just found out that there is a X22 Norax and a A20 Trizact that is about 800 grit. I like to high polish my stainless steel hunting knives so this will help get those 400 and 600 grit scratches before hand sanding. Thanks to all of you for giving me this useful information. Larry
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I think the Trizact definitely give the most use for the dollar spent, if you dress them when needed, as someone already said. I have a bar of solid carbide that I use to rake the worn grit off and flatten the surface (they can get uneven otherwise). The Norax do seem to give a finer finish, if I did machine finishes I would probably use them more but the Trizacts are fine to set up a hand finish, cut faster overall (excluding those first five minutes-the Norax are amazing when theyre brand new) and last much longer, in my experience.
 
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