Grinder belts

[James Hall]

I'm looking to aquire a 2x42 and upgrade on a budget from my current makeshift grinder and I have a few simple questions regarding belts. I know ceramic works well with steel, but looking up belts leaves me somewhat overwhelmed with the many different types.
What is the advantage of gator belts? does it matter that they are AlOxide?
I have a buffing wheel with black, blue, and white compound. Would 400 be a sufficient grit to take to the buffing wheel to get a decent shine?
If someone could also link me to a good distributor to get belts it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time,
J.P.

 

[Jason Fry]

Supergrit.com and Trugrit.com both carry a good variety of 2x42 belts. I really like the Supergrit ceramic belts in 36 grit for profiling and grinding bevels. I also like the gator/trizact/strutured abrasive belts in about 120, 220, and 320 grits for finish grinding prior to hand sanding. Much higher grit than that on the Craftsman is a waste and won't give you the results you want. Supergrit sells AO belts in a 10 pack that work good for handles. I usually bought the 100 or 120's.

I'll let others fill in the details on the buffing, but you won't get a clean finish if you go from 400 to the buffer.

 

[Grayzer86]

I personally go ceramic in 36 or 50 for hogging and profiling, then 60 zircs for bevels, and up to 220 then switch to trizact gators. I only go to 400 or so on belts then switch to hand sanding, up to 2000 if I am going for a full polish. For satin finishes I use a medium scotchbrite.