Grinder belt speed question

Outdoor Gear Dad

Outdoor Gear Dad

Joined
Jun 1, 2019
Messages
211
I recently purchased a 3 phase motor and VFD Becuase I was rocking a single phase and was burning handles when I was doing initial grinding. I’ve also heard from several people variable speed is the way to go.

so I know everyone has their preferences but would love to hear what speeds you use for different elements of the knife. For example: hogging metal 100%, bevels 75%, etc.

I know I am going to just have to try things out but want to get a sense of what everyone else has found works.
 
If you're burning wood on handles most likely you're using too fine a grit for speed, OR belt is dull. It takes a sharper belt for wood than it does for metal.
 
Generally! The finer the belt the slower the speed. Fresh sharp belts too! You will have to find your speeds as well.
 
I’ll bite on giving specific numbers ... fwiw

profiling: 60 grit, 80% speed
Initial bevel work: 60 grit, 80% speed
Refining bevel: 120 grit, 60%
Refining edge to target thickness: 120 grit, 60%
Refining bevel finish1: 220 grit, 40%
Refining bevel finish: 440 grit, 20%
Scotch bright: 10%
Roughing handle: 60 grit, 60%
Initial Refining handle shape 120 grit, 40%
Final refining handle shape: 220 grit scalloped belts, 40%
Refining handle Finish: 440 grit scalloped, 20%
(I hand sand handles after that, up to 1000 grit)

it took me a while to move up to 80% speed. Probably profiling and initial hogging could be done at 100% ... but I still don’t have the courage to try ... and would likely need 30 grit belts ... which again I don’t have courage to try. Also, my VFD seems to struggle above 80% ... probably because it only has 120v
 
i use new belts for rough shaping handle material before i use them on metal. i have a tw-90 with vfd and the pointer on the speed knob is usually between 8-9 oclock for handle materials. 9-10 oclock for bevels and noon for the surface grinder attachment.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top