Noob grinding belt questions

B

Brekfast

Joined
Dec 9, 2005
Messages
57
Hello,

I searched the forum but did not find an answer to my question.

What is an A/O or "X" weight belt and how does it differ from a regular belt (I am talking about a 2x72 grinder belt) ?

Then I read about cloth backed belts, are there any non-cloth backed types ? If so what is the difference why would I use one over the other.

Thanks in advance.

Henrik
 
A/o X j K weight belts refer to the cloth that is the backing of the belt generally the finer the grit the thiner/lighter weight the cloth is. Check out the 3M web site. It has a description of the different backing cloth and their use,thicknesses and a whole lot of other great info to.
 
DO NOT BUY PAPER BELTS> they tear and frey far too easy especially if you are dipping your blades in water to keep them cool.
 
Henrik,

Usually, when we see A/O it refers to the grit material aluminum oxide. Zirconia and "ceramic" are harder, last longer, more abrasive and more expensive.

Here's a good quick look at belt weights;
http://www.abrasivesales.com/data/bcinfo.HTM

Other than cloth, there have been polymers like Mylar used, such as in 3-M "Micron" belts. I don't know who else may currently use them.

X weight is common for coarse grits. J weight belts are nice for finishing handles and such because of flexibility. X will resist curling around the edge of the platen, so more flexible belts are preferred by many for smoothing in plunge cuts.

One tends to trash a few belts learning how to grind. I'd suggest starting out with some cheaper A/O belts and adding a few higher quality jobbies in as experience grows..

Hope that helps.
 
Thanx for the help fitzo. I totally missed th A/O aluminum oxide. zir.cer. tid bit did not mean to stear you wrong brekfast. No harm no foul right guys?
 
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