Help me choose an initial stock of 2x72 grinding belts

M

mjrodney

Joined
Oct 16, 2005
Messages
11
I need some seasoned advice on basic belt selection for a new 2x72 grinder.

What you would deem the "best" grit material and grit size for profile grinding, bevel grinding and finish grinding.

Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
 
I really like the 400 grit gator belts following a 60(50-80) grit blaze belt. You can jump straight from hogging to a somewhat passable machine finish.
 
There was a thread in the recent past that compiled the belt brands and grits being used by misc. makers... I will see if I can locate it if no one else jumps in.

I personally use the following:
Blaze (Orange) 36 for Profiling and initial bevel
3m 80 Grit (El Cheapos) to bring the bevel to HT Thickness
J-Flex 220
J-Flex 400
Gators are great belts for finishing/polishing
I also use a Scotch Brite on some of my finishes.

Good Luck
 
I grind after heatreat.

3m 977 cubitron 50 grit
3m 977 cubitron 80 grit
a65 trizact gator
a45 trizact gator

3m 967 60 grit yellow belts for grinding titanium.
 
I like to rough grind with 36 or 50 grit blaze belts, then grind to 220 with gator belts before H.T.
After HT, I grind again lightly with 220, then go to 400 grit gator, then 600 gator often.

I use cheaper belts for wood and micarta, klingspor aluminum oxide 60 grit for rough shaping handles, then kling or hermes j-flex 220 and 400 for finish shaping and slack belting. Sometimes for cleaning up plunge cuts on steel, too.

I used j-flex for blade grinding/finishing more in the past, got tired of wearing them out and bought some gator belts. They last WAY longer and are TOTALLY worth the money. Just wire brush 'em a little if they start to load.

I used to use the same belts for roughing steel and handles, as well. Now I find it's worth paying for good ceramic belts for steel, and paying less for roughing belts for softer stuff. You can clog a spendy Blaze belt up real quick with micarta.

Oh, and I recommend Trugrit as a belt supplier. They have all of the above. A lot of suppliers don't carry both Norton and 3M products, these guys do.
 
Since I don't get through many belts, I buy only high grade ones and have them shipped from the US. Premium belts cost the same in postage as the cheap ones, but last longer. I love the Blaze belts, using 36, 60 and 120, and while the Gators are great, I also really like the finish that the Norax belts give.

One type of belt that I wouldn't be without for finishing, and which no one has mentioned yet, are the silicon carbide impregnated cork belts. I have them in 400, 600 and 800 and use them doped up with buffing compound either to pave the way for a hand sanded finish, or to give a nice machine satin finish by themselves. Not only do they create a finer scratch pattern than their grit number would suggest, but they wear really well, like the Energiser bunny of belts, and they work fine run wet for cooling.
 
I use blaze in 36 or 50 grit to start then move to blaze 120 grit. I do my plunges with 120 Jflex, but they wear fast so I only use them for plunges then gator to whatever grit you desire.
Chris
 
Yep that is it! I thought it was you Patrice, I even searched your posts and couldn't locate it. you should put the Updates on your first post in that thread and add it to the Newbie stickies!
 
I use 40g gator for profilind and establishing the grind to about 85%. Then I use a 120 grit and go to 95%. then a blue 220 norton zirconia belt to about 98% of the grind. Then Gators from 100-65-45-30 then a fine scotchbrite belt and I get a very nice satin machine finish. I could if the customer wants hand sand from there.
 
+1 to orange blase
+1 to gators
+2 to Trugrit

Also, I find I use my grinder once or twice a week for non-knife stuff, so it might be nice to have a couple extra belts, such as a scotchbrite and some random grits you might need for general shop use.

Also, I found myself using WAY more belts than I thought I would. Buy as many as you can afford...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top