Dude!!!! Gator Belts

[panch0]

are sweet!! Why did I never listen to you guys advice. I got me some 140, 240, and 400grit. Now if I can just find some 600+ for a 2x42 I will be in belt heaven. Even better some of those blaze belts you guys talk about.:thumbup::thumbup:

 

[balibalistic]

Welcome aboard!!! i've been using them for a couple months now, and dont know if i could use any other now

 

[Fiddleback]

Where are you buying them?

 

[panch0]

I got these at tru grit. I don't think they had 2x42 in the past, but I may be wrong.
http://www.trugrit.com/belts3.htm

 

[JBS TOOLMAKER]

The guys at Tru - grit are awesome. And once you start using the blaze for roughing and profiling you will be spoiled rotten.

 

[panch0]

So these should last longer that the ceramic belts? They sure look like they will.

 

[logem]

Here's a link to the product brochure for Blaze belts:

HERE

I've never used them, but may have to get a few on my next belt order.

Mike L.

 

[Bailey Knives]

I use gators and blaze. I love both. I have some gators that I have been using for about a year now. I just run a wire brush over them when they get "clogged" and they work good as new. Blazes are great too, but a bit pricey, worth it though.

 

[Jason Fry]

Gators are the stuff, for sure. Even on our lightning fast Craftsman, the 400 works well for a belt finish or for sharpening.

 

[JBS TOOLMAKER]

So these should last longer that the ceramic belts? They sure look like they will.

I use a lot of 3/16" x 1 1/4" D-2. I can profile 10 - 15 blades on average compared to 2 - 3 with norton blue or any other brand in 60 grit. I buy the 36 grit blaze , I also use them to plunge the beginning of my hollow grinds to get a good track started, then I go to 60 grit ceramic. When I hit 240 grit I go Gator from there on out. To me it's worth it to use the 36 grit blaze and save my ceramic 60's for more "precision" roughing work
Also blaze belts are wonderful for roughing tough handle materials like canvas micarta.

 

[butcher_block]

yep i use blaze to hog and then gators to clean up A300-A45
got to love them

 

[KnifeMaker.ca]

I agree. The blaze belts will out-do anything for hogging. They are not a finishing belt.

Rob!

 

[panch0]

I have not been able to find blaze belts in 2x42. Any suggestions?

 

[pike3e]

I use gators and blaze. I love both. I have some gators that I have been using for about a year now. I just run a wire brush over them when they get "clogged" and they work good as new. Blazes are great too, but a bit pricey, worth it though.

What type of wire brush and do you do it when the belt is running, what speed?

Thanks

John

 

[Fiddleback]

Ahhh. You're talking about Trazac belts. Yep. They're great. Wish they came in 36, and 60 grits.

 

[silver_pilate]

Blaze for roughing and Gators for finishing for me as well. I need to try the 36 grit Blaze for real roughing.

--nathan

 

[Bailey Knives]

What type of wire brush and do you do it when the belt is running, what speed?

Thanks

John

I use a cheap dollar store wire brush, and belt is running at normal speed. I have step pulleys instead of a speed control, so it is just going at grinding speed. You only need to hold the wire brush on there for a few seconds, it will create a bit of dust, and the belt will be back to new.

 

[Erin Burke]

I use 977 ceramics through 120 grit, Gators for 240 grit (337DC A65CF) and regular trizacts at 400 grit (307EA A45). I was advised that the regular trizacts give a better finish in the higher grits so have never tried Gators above 240. Has anyone done a side-by-side comparrison between Gators and the regular trizacts in finer grits (400 & 600)?

Erin