Grinding belts don't last,,, please help

T

timfish

Joined
Jun 4, 2022
Messages
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I have a 2*42 belt sander to use with knife making (mainly 1095 & 5160)
Im going through belts like crazy... They only last me like 30 seconds,,, especially higher grit belts,,,,I've read ALOT about certain companies, brands and grit types but I am still confused... Any help is appreciated
Thanks
 
timfish said:
I have a 2*42 belt sander to use with knife making (mainly 1095 & 5160)
Im going through belts like crazy... They only last me like 30 seconds,,, especially higher grit belts,,,,I've read ALOT about certain companies, brands and grit types but I am still confused... Any help is appreciated
Thanks
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Please provide a little more info on the specific failure. Are they breaking, wearing out quickly, etc…? Also what brand, backing, and grit media such as AO, zirc, ceramic, or whatever? I’ve used a 2x42 for the last year on mainly 1095 with no real issues.
 
If you are using aluminum oxide sanding belts, they are more useful on wood than steel. Having used a 2x42 for years I learned a few things about the limitations of the machine and what you need to do to overcome those limitations. I am assuming it is similar to the Craftsman machine I had, if so:

1. They run VERY fast, you are likely stripping grit quickly if you are using full pressure, use a lighter touch.
2. The supplied platen is crap, flexes too much causing irregular grind pressure. reinforce and/or install a ceramic glass platen.
3. Not all belts are created equal. Go to Tru-Grit and order some of the ceramic belts in 2x42, they will last longer so long as you adapt your technique for a smaller machine.
 
Matching the speed of the belt to the application is equally important to using even pressure...heat is the by-product. Getting really hot (slow speed/too much pressure/both) or abrasive coming off more than steel (maybe belt too slow)....whats the failure mode?
 
Use ceramic, the finer the grit the slower you need to run, you can get additional life out of a belt by turning it so that it runs the opposite direction after some use, get yourself a wheel dresser and use it on the belts, works a couple of times.

It’s best to buy a quality variable speed grinder.

Hoss
 
I used a 2x42 for several years. It runs too fast for most fine grit belts to work right. I suggest using the gator/trizact structured belts for finer grits instead of the fine grit AO's. Also, use a lighter touch. The fine grit belts aren't meant for heavy pressure like you might use on a 50 grit ceramic.
 
ScarFoot said:
Please provide a little more info on the specific failure. Are they breaking, wearing out quickly, etc…? Also what brand, backing, and grit media such as AO, zirc, ceramic, or whatever? I’ve used a 2x42 for the last year on mainly 1095 with no real issues.
Click to expand...
Thank you,,, wearing out quickly,,, no breakage
 
DevinT said:
Use ceramic, the finer the grit the slower you need to run, you can get additional life out of a belt by turning it so that it runs the opposite direction after some use, get yourself a wheel dresser and use it on the belts, works a couple of times.

It’s best to buy a quality variable speed grinder.

Hoss
Click to expand...
Thank you
May you please recommend a wheel dressing?
Im lost.... Thank you
 
navman said:
you are likely stripping grit quickly if you are using full pressure
Click to expand...

Also, you are more likely to strip off the grit when profiling a blade compared to grinding bevels.

And it's generally recommended that you run higher grits at slower speeds, too high a speed will cause high grit belts to 'glaze' over and become worthless.
 
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