High grit belts for Grinds

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Dec 24, 2014
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I'm still trying to find a decent "high" grit belt for finishing ggrinds. 220-400 grit. I'd love to see Cubitron in those grits but, I don't think they exist. What belts do you use for 220,400,600 grit grind finishes?
 
I use the x30 through x22 belts. I believe they may be Norton but don't remember. it is a structured abrasive.
 
Norton R984 is a decent ceramic 220 grit. I usually go to Gator belts in x100, x65, x45 or Norton Al Oxide U254 in x65, x45. Norton makes and engineered ceramic (U936) in the higher grits (x65, x45 etc) I haven't used them yet but might splurge one of these days to try them. I also use cork belts a lot. I have 400 and 600 grit cork belts that I use green compound with and they also give a nice satin finish. For me, I like the Norton belts better on stainless and gator and cork or carbon.
 
3M trizact a45 is a fantastic belt and leaves an amazing finish. There are 2 of them, one that is basically x weight and one that is j depending on what you are doing. The x weight last a very long time, I've been using one for weeks now and can't kill it. Only drawback is that they are expensive.
 
I'm always mixing up my belts but I like Gator belts by 3M in that grit range. You can find a few 220 grit ceramic belts which are really nice to have... I think I'm using the new Norton 984's but I better check to be sure. They are excellent for setting up an edge when sharpening as well as bevel grinding wear resistant steels.
 
I bought a cork belt a few months ago but haven't used it yet. I always wanted to try the gators but, the ridged look of them makes it seem like the belt would chatter a lot. But. Obviously they must be nice. I'll pick a few up.
 
Gators are nice, but don't cut aggressively enough for my tastes. Klingspor yellow J flex are what works here.
 
The gators run smooth for me. Take a 400-600 cork belt and break it in by holding a flat piece of metal to it for a few minutes with light to medium pressure. Lots of stuff will fly off so wear glasses. After that you can use it as is or load it with green compound.
 
I use gators but at times the surface becomes no longer flat. So I have been using some Hermes in the 220, but I think I will take Don's suggestion and try the Klingspor J in 220
 
If you go to the cork belts use either the green chrome or get belt grease - real messy - or the belts will clog and make you think they are worn out.
Frank
 
I usually go up to U264 X22 (Norax about 750 grit) and occasionally use the X16 which is about 1200 grit.
 
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