I am new to this whole sharpening with a belt sander thing but so far the results are awesome. I recently got a 1x42 kalamazoo sander and sanding belts and leather strops. I have been going from 1000 grit alum oxide x weight belt to the strop with green jacksonlea compound as the final stages and knives are very sharp! I also purshased white compound same brand and more strops. I just want to make sure before loading the belt... White is finer than green right? I kinda remember reading something that said green = sharp and white = scarry sharp. This correct?
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just want to make sure i got my compounds correct. white compund finer than green?
- Thread starter Justin209
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- Apr 12, 2009
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'White' compound, as named, doesn't really specify what it's made of. There are multiple different kinds of 'white' abrasives out there. Unless the dealer or manufacturer specifically states what it is, it may be either (larger or smaller). Add to that, if the abrasive type is different, one 'white' might perform radically different from another 'white', even at identical particle sizes. If I'm not mistaken, both talc and some types of aluminum oxide are white, and both are used as polishing compounds. But, talc is way too soft for steel, whereas aluminum oxide is ideal for it. To complicate matters further, aluminum oxide is available in a very wide range of grit sizes, often anywhere between < 1 micron and 10+ micron sizes.
Quality green compounds are usually spec'd at an 'average' particle size of ~0.5 micron.
Quality green compounds are usually spec'd at an 'average' particle size of ~0.5 micron.
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2009
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Your best bet is to get in touch with the manufacturer or the dealer. If you got both compounds from one dealer as a set, you might at least be able to find out which compound 'formula' is to be used first or last in the sequence. Still won't clarify what exactly it's made of, but at least your sequence won't be counter-productive. Also be sure to ask if their white compound is formulated for hardened steel & stainless. There are many other 'white' compounds that are made more for jewelry and other soft metals, like brass & nickel. They likely won't work well with hardened and higher-alloy steels.