gator belts

They cut like a son of a gun at first...I have a ton of "meat" left on the belts and don't know how to expose the next layer of grit so to speak. But, when they are new...Lawd to they cut good for me! I like 'em. I am sure I just don't know how to get to that next layer of grit... perhaps someone on here knows.

FYI: do NOT let water get on the belts.

Overall impression: I will buy more the next time I order.
 
Use the tip of an old file and lightly run over the belt at speed, similar to dressing a hard grinding wheel. Can't beleave how the long life I'm getting fromn these belts. Thanks M. Lovett
 
What application are ya'll using these belts ? Profiling or grinding bevels ? Grit size is pretty limited , is'nt it ?

Joe
 
For me the grit seems to wear unevenly, so if I've used one to shape something not flat the surface of the grit is no longer flat, hense it's not suited to grinding bevels anymore. I refresh much the way M. Lovett does, use a piece of cutoff steel stock.
 
I really want to try these. George Tishbourne told me my one and a half horse grinder wouldn't expose new grit on some advanced belts. He has like a whole business of metal polishing and I think he goes over five horses on alot of that equipment. He has worked "liquid steel" and stellite though. I would like to put a five horse on a KMG and grind blades of stellite so I do not have to wait for heat treat..imagine dreaming up a knife and working on it right away and only stopping for your own reasons..Heck make a non rusting blade in one weekend! Handle and all! I was going to post, maybe still will about this plan. Please write me too :ssunfish@yahoo.com thank you! I saw on tru grit web site yesterday they had four grits with the gator belts 80 120 220 and 400 if I remember right.
 
I have used the 'ole gator belts before. The best way I found to expose new grit was to take an old grinder wheel and use it to rough up the belt. But don't use them no more, found that www.barbkat.com belts are for the money last longer than the Gators.
 
I'm starting to really like the darn things. They last a very long time. I finally wore one all the way down the other day by profiling a three or 4 knives right in a row. Kinda hated to throw it away.
 
There a lot of guys here with a lot more experience than me. In the last 11/2 to 2 yrs. I have used just about all the major brands of belts and have pretty much settled on the Norton Ceramic belts. I like them over the 3M belts, and very definitely over the Zirconia types.
 
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