Man did I learn something today!!

L6steel

L6steel

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
Messages
5,855
I got a batch of drop points back from heat treat and took 4 out to start working on them. After using a 500 grit to knock the rough off em, I used a 600 grit and then I took an old grinder rock and ran it across the 600 belt till it was major worn out. Then I made sure it was clean and sanded the grinds. It got them shiney, but not real shiney. Then I went to my 6 by 48 and did the same thing with a 600 grit belt and sanded the flats. Man did those flats shine up and real fast too. This made me decide to go back and work the grinds again to see if I could get them that shiney. I was just about to put the belt back on my Wilton when I thought, the 6 by runs way slower than the Wilton. So I put the belt on my home made variable speed sander and set it on the slowest speed. Same results. Those hollow grinds came out at least 80% as shiney as I usually get them on my buffer. I guess the slower speed really does make a big difference. This is gonna cut my buffing time to just a couple minutes per blade and that should keep the grind lines sharp as well. Wish I had found this out along time ago! Man do I hate buffing!!! Take care!! Michael

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Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!
 
Cool! Great to know we can still learn more? I've learned a lot since coming to this site.

I've recently found similar inroads with polishing. I've thrown out all those older belts and used brand new, sharp and clean 120, 220 and 400. Boy did those scratches disappear. Pretty dumb grinding with old belts. Just couldn't see the gradual wear on the smoother belts.

Try putting a layer of green chrome on the worn out 600. Seems to work most excellent. Not my idea, a tip from others long ago... Wish I could leave the finish made by this method rather than buffing, sure looks neat.

Dan
Hannon Bearpaw Knives http://www.freeweb.pdq.net/dhannon/hannon.htm
 
Speed kills!!!


Michael,
Try 3M Trizact on a slower speed, they are the "cat's meow".


C Wilkins
 
Are those 3M Trizact the same thing as the micron belts?? Man, I wish someone would just post a list of each and every belt we should use the get the best finish the quickest way possible!!!!

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Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!
 
Hey L6 Steel,Forget the buffer,Hand rub the blade,you wont wash out the lines and you get a good finish.You can make them shine by going finer with the grits like 2000 or higher.It's not that hard and looks very good....Just my opinion,Bruce

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The Soul of the Knife begins in the FIRE !!!! Akti # A000223
 
Michael,
This is the progression that I use
60 or 80 grit ceramic belt
120 grit Norton blue
220 grit Norton blue
(Now is when I really start to use variable speed)
Trizact A45 - 360 grit
(then a little slower....)
Trizact A30 - 600 grit
(then quite a bit slower....)
Trizact A16 - 1200 grit
(then pretty darn slow...)
Trizact A6 - 2000 grit
Buff lines out, takes about 5-10 minutes max.
finish with pink rouge.

Now this is from my VAST experience with variable speed and hollow grinding. This is only something that I have learned very, very recently. BTW, I always do the flats before I start grinding.

Trizact belts are not of the micron variety.

C Wilkins
 
Thanks C.L.!!! Darrell, I'm gonna try some green chrome on the next batch. Thanks for all the tips folks! Michael

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Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!
 
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