Grinding while Blind

BustaCrook

BustaCrook

Joined
Mar 10, 2009
Messages
92
Well, the title to this thread doesn't have a whole lot to do with this post, but it got me to thinking. I've had ZZ Top's lyrics "Driving while Blind" stuck in my head for the past day or so, which pretty much gave me the idea.

Anyhow, my first inquiry is regarding the 2 x 72 belt. I was working with a 400belt the other evening, got tired, closed shop and walked away. Now today; I turn my grinder on and the belt is not tracking the same as before. It is rolling from left to right, which is also on a 10" wheel. Does leaving the belt under tension put any duress on it and or cause it to change? I've had some other belts in the past do this and I'm wondering if my thoughts may be on the right track about this.

Now back to the title of this thread;

Do you ever find yourself forgetting your safety glasses for just a small grind, or whatever, and continue to make the grind without stopping to retrieve them? I'll admit that I have. Especially when I just can't get the light where I need it and the glasses are a hindrance. I'm addressing my lighting issue so I won't have that excuse anymore and I'm making it a point to always wear eye protection, regardless!

Good day and protect the eyes!!:cool:
 
I think we're all guilty of that at least once. Gotta remember so we can keep your eyes though!

As far as the belt tension thing, I've noticed it too. I try to remember to release the lever holding the tooling arm to let the belt go slack when I leave the shop. I think the stretching is more noticeable on the jflex belts than the stiffer belts.
 
I've noticed that same problem on some of the cheaper generic belts that I use here and there, especially when they are wearing down a bit.

I was grinding out some profiles today on the KMG with some of the economical ceramic belts from Supergrit.com and as the belt wore down pretty good I noticed that tracking got looser. I had to stop every once in a while and adjust the tooling arm to be tighter to keep the tracking "on track". I haven't noticed this at all with any of the 3M Blaze or Norzon belts that I use.

Another thing to think about is the right tension for the belt you are using. If I have a 60 girt Blaze belt on the grinder I know I can push down on the tension lever and yank that tooling arm out as far as I want to get a nice snug fit and super tight tracking without any problems. On the other hand, if I am doing some work with a J-flex belt or sharpening with a super fine silicon carbide belt then I know I can't over tension the belt and I adjust accordingly. It doesn't take long to realize that the super fine grit and more flexible belts are more susceptible to stretching.
 
It does seem that the finer grits are affected most by prolonged tension. As for the glasses, I used to do that and after getting dust in my eye, I decided that I wouldnt forget anymore.. Easier said than done. Now i put my mask and head wrap on the tension arm and my glasses on the grinder table, I have no choice but to put them on hehe.
 
Well my safty glasses tend to fogg up when I also wear a resperator, so it does get complicated
 
I will guarantee you the moment you forget to dawn the safety glasses or think I only have a short grind, is the moment you will get something in your eye, (don’t ask how I know). :eek: And the trips to the eye doctor to have the steel removed can be painful, expensive and it damages the eye.

Glasses or safety glasses are a necessary evil. In my case I can't see to do fine work without the glasses so it is a no brainer any more. A one second mistake can cost your vision. As for the fogging the only solution I found so far is too stop and cuss :mad: every so often and while doing that clean the glasses!:D
 
I think its relative humidity that makes the finer grit belt do this. Just my guess.

Fred
 
I use a 2x72 and tighten the tension until the wobble is minimized. I think the problem maybe related to the quality of the splice where the belt is glued together. If the splice is a bit out of alignment when the belt was made it will wobble.

Another problem is when belts curl up after they have been used on the small contact wheels. I use 1/2 inch contact wheel attachments for grinding out finger grooves, and when I use the belt later it's all curled up and is difficult to straighten out when putting it on the grinder
 
The belt I was using is a Klingspor and as Bufford just recently mentioned, it has also curled. I noticed the curl (cupping) when I first put it on. Anyhow, a man gets what he pays for.:)
 
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