I need some help with belt suggestions!

[Dragons Breath Knives]

Hey guys I’ve never found this to be a problem before, but right now I have an order for a large number of knives with canvas micarta scales. Have you guys gotten any secrets had a prolong the life of my belts? They just gum up like hell when it comes to micarta.Have you guys gotten any suggestions to prolong the life of my belts? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated !!
Jim
DBKnives

 

[KnuckleDownKnives]

This may help. Helps cleans some of the junk out of the belt. https://www.harborfreight.com/sanding-belt-cleaner-30766.html

 

[Geoff Flato]

Aluminum oxide, and decent ones such as klingspor. I use a 36 ran fairly slow for all the rough work, and they last MUCH longer than ceramic for micarta. After that I'll normally go right to 120. 220 and 400 I'll run the belt wet, manually spraying it with a squirt bottle of coolant as needed. The fine belts seem to last almost forever even if they'd be totally worn out for anything else. Just keep them wet.
From there finish however you like. I touch mine up with 600 and buff.

 

[Kentucky]

Good,cheap AO belts for handle work..You can get good ones at trugrit for $2.50 each, 36 grit

 

[John Cahoon]

I've got one of Knuckle Down's belt cleaners, works fine with alum oxide cleaning wood. I've never used micarta myself. I use it mostly on a little 3x21 for shaping handles. Tends to melt on the big belt grinder though, I have no idea why :>)

 

[Kentucky]

Also while I'm at it I want to throw a plug in for Pops knife supply. Best place I've found to buy belts with the best prices. He carries good economy belts

 

[Dragons Breath Knives]

Pops IS awesome!!!!!!!!

 

[Alan Davis Knives]

Pop's started carrying these for $1.65 each, I have been using them for handles only. They are cheap enough that I figure one new one of each grit for every knife. They are an aluminum oxide brown j flex.

http://popsupply.bizhosting.com/_b_sankyo_tai_b_.html

 

[Jason Fry]

I'm with Alan Davis... those sankyo's from Pop's are good stuff. They're cheap enough you can use them till they quit cutting, then throw them away.

 

[AVigil]

Belt erasers are your friend, I also keep a air compressor nozzle next to me while grinding micarta and wood to hose down the belts, the machine and me.

 

[skillgannon]

I have been noticing that keeping belt speed down really makes a big difference. I also use pops stuff. Don't use the ceramic belts they clog fast.

 

[Rhinoknives1]

Remember to wear a Respirator that is vapor rated. Micarta will destroy your lungs over time. It releases Formeldyhe. It Will pickle your brain too.—————————- Have fun. Stay safe!