Help with a first 72" belt order, also, Christmas came early!

[Brian.Evans]

I lucked into finding a used 2x72" Wilmont TAG101 quite literally 12 hours after deciding that it was indeed time to take my knifemaking to the next level and commit to it at a heavy part time level. Still keeping my full time job, but no overtime next month so I can focus on my knives.

I have it mostly set up, but not fully. I need to make a new base for that top, but it is full thickness butcher block, so I'm going to refinish it and re mount it. It's too pretty not to use.



Anyway, excited about that. I've never bought 72" belts and there are a whole heap more options compared to 42". I've combed the searches, read and reread Aaron's thread on finishing on the grinder. I'm still confused.

Details you probably need to know:

1. I think in lists. ADD sucks. Adderall helps, as does mindfulness.

2. I'd like to be able to satin/working finish most of my knives on the grinder and only hand sand a select few. Cork or Scotchbrite??

3. I'm working with 52100 on the carbon steel side and AEB-L and CPM20CV on the stainless side. Mostly 20CV though.
4. Wood, g10, and micarta handles. I need belts that will shape all of these.

Here's what I have so far, but only based on my 42" belt selection.

VSM 60 - 10
VSM 120 - 10
Trizact CF Gator A100(180) - 10
Trizact CF Gator A45(360) - 10
Trizact CF Gator A30(600) - 10
3M scotchbrite, very fine-1

Then, for handles:

Hermes RB406 80 grit - 10
Klingspor 312J 2" 220 - 10
Klingspor 312J 2" 400 - 10
Klingspor 312J 1" 220 scallop - 10
Klingspor 312J 1" 400 scallop - 10

I'd like to not have to order belts for a little while. Any additions, deletions, or changes you'd make given my steel and handle material choices?

 

[grizzled gizzard]

In your place, I'd get Cubitron IIs, 36, 60 and 120 grit, then Deerfos blue mylar belts to 220, 400, 800.

Hard to beat in any way, and super simple. You can try other belts whenever you can.

I like structured ceramic abrasives, but I'd choose Trizact 953s or Noraxs over Gators.

 

[coldsteelburns]

I would take out 2 of each of those gator belt orders and get 8 of each, and instead get 16 - 120grit belts. The gators will last a lot longer, plus 120 grit seems to be the most important tranisional grit from the rougher ones to higher grits.

~Paul

---

My YT Channel Lsubslimed

 

[Brian.Evans]

In your place, I'd get Cubitron IIs, 36, 60 and 120 grit, then Deerfos blue mylar belts to 220, 400, 800.

Hard to beat in any way, and super simple. You can try other belts whenever you can.

I like structured ceramic abrasives, but I'd choose Trizact 953s or Noraxs over Gators.

I don't know how important 36 grit would be for me. I work with mostly surface ground steel in 3/32" thick. Sometimes 1/8", but mostly thinner.

Why don't you like the gators?

Also, have you tried the vsm belts and prefer the cubitrons, out have you never tried them?

 

[Brian.Evans]

I have to admit, I expected more responses.

 

[AVigil]

I use VSM 36 grit it gets work done quickly then go to VSM 50 then VSM 120 or Cubitron 120 then Gator A65 (240), Gator A45 (400) then Cork 400, cork 800 or 1000

I also like the Hermes in 220 and 400 j flex as well as Regalite 707e for putting an edge on the blade

The selection you have is fine...that is why you did not get many responses.

 

[Jason Fry]

The selection you have is fine...that is why you did not get many responses.

Agreed. The VSM's are a good choice. I use about twice as many 120's as 60's, personally. The gators last forever long, you could cut down to 5 each and still not run out of them before all your regular ceramics wore out. I'd also tweak the quantities on the handle belts. I typically use bunches of the 100/120 cheap AO's where you have the 80's, but 80 is fine. 220's are going to clog quick, and 400's aren't going to last long for anything anyway, especially if you don't have variable speed. The scalloped belts are a good idea, but again, the 400 is likely overkill. Get some Rhynowet sandpaper 400, 600, 800 to finish out your handles by hand. You have the belts listed that can finish out the blades.

 

[PT Doc]

I have to admit, I expected more responses.

I researched a ton on this site prior to asking the same. There is a tremendous amount of information. Seems this is asked evey 2 weeks or so. Maybe folks are getting tired posting the same stuff.

 

[Brian.Evans]

I researched a ton on this site prior to asking the same. There is a tremendous amount of information. Seems this is asked evey 2 weeks or so. Maybe folks are getting tired posting the same stuff.

Yeah, I know it's asked quite often, but I just couldn't find anything recent.