Question On Belts

[colu41]

I currently only have a 1x30. I have a few Blaze ceramics but I'm using up my AZs first and then I'll move on to the Blaze. My question is, I am using 1 80grit blue AZ belt per side on my grinds. Will one ceramic last for both sides? These 1x30 belts seem like theyre toast as soon as you touch metal to them. lol.

 

[Adam Buttry]

Yes, ceramic belts will last much longer than zircs and zirc belts will last a little longer than AO belts. That's why there is a cost difference between them. Are you using the zircs for pre or post ht grinding? Either way, they're not typically used for heavy removal, that's what ceramics are for. I use 60 grit ceramics to remove 85% of the bevel, 120 zircs to about 95% and 220 zircs for that last 5% to finish where I want my bevel height to end. I like the zircs in those grits because they can still remove a little metal if required, they leave a smooth finish, and last just a little longer than AO belts.

No matter what belt you use though, when it no longer cuts, throw it the trash!

 

[colu41]

Yes, ceramic belts will last much longer than zircs and zirc belts will last a little longer than AO belts. That's why there is a cost difference between them. Are you using the zircs for pre or post ht grinding? Either way, they're not typically used for heavy removal, that's what ceramics are for. I use 60 grit ceramics to remove 85% of the bevel, 120 zircs to about 95% and 220 zircs for that last 5% to finish where I want my bevel height to end. I like the zircs in those grits because they can still remove a little metal if required, they leave a smooth finish, and last just a little longer than AO belts.

No matter what belt you use though, when it no longer cuts, throw it the trash!

Ok. So does the price difference add benefit though? I can get a 40 grit Zirc belt for a $1.50. Where as a 40 grit Ceramic is $4.25. Will the ceramic last longer than 3 zirc belts?
I'm just trying to find the most cost effective way to do this. And obviously I have a lot to learn.

Oh, and as of now I'm using only zirc and AO belts. I haven't tried my few ceramics yet as they seem like gold for my 1x30. But I use a 40 grit zirc for the profile. Then I use 80 zirc for about 90% of the bevel then a 120 AO to finish it off.

 

[Col Defender]

Yes, ceramic belts will last much longer than zircs and zirc belts will last a little longer than AO belts. That's why there is a cost difference between them. Are you using the zircs for pre or post ht grinding? Either way, they're not typically used for heavy removal, that's what ceramics are for. I use 60 grit ceramics to remove 85% of the bevel, 120 zircs to about 95% and 220 zircs for that last 5% to finish where I want my bevel height to end. I like the zircs in those grits because they can still remove a little metal if required, they leave a smooth finish, and last just a little longer than AO belts.

No matter what belt you use though, when it no longer cuts, throw it the trash!

Do you, or does anyone else, recommend a particular brand or supplier?

 

[pwheeler]

A 40 grit blaze belt will "last" through one big s30v chef's knife for me, but the dropoff is cutting efficiency is huge. I'm basically nursing it through the end of the grind. With any other belt on good stainless it's basically useless. http://www.supergrit.com has some cheaper ceramic belts. I can report good performance from the purple Bora belts, close to the blaze for half the price. I got some of the cheaper ceramic belts as well, the first couple had an issue with the joining tape letting go when they got warm. Supergrit was cool about it and sent me another batch. I haven't ground a knife with those yet so I can't report on performance, but I used one a bunch yesterday grinding parts for my new 2x72 (grinderception?), and it didn't come apart. That could be because the plain steel was grinding cooler, we'll see. Regardless, I can recommend checking out the Bora belts. Supergrit is also the only source I've found for ceramic 4x36 belts, which was a huge help for me.

 

[colu41]

A 40 grit blaze belt will "last" through one big s30v chef's knife for me, but the dropoff is cutting efficiency is huge. I'm basically nursing it through the end of the grind. With any other belt on good stainless it's basically useless. http://www.supergrit.com has some cheaper ceramic belts. I can report good performance from the purple Bora belts, close to the blaze for half the price. I got some of the cheaper ceramic belts as well, the first couple had an issue with the joining tape letting go when they got warm. Supergrit was cool about it and sent me another batch. I haven't ground a knife with those yet so I can't report on performance, but I used one a bunch yesterday grinding parts for my new 2x72 (grinderception?), and it didn't come apart. That could be because the plain steel was grinding cooler, we'll see. Regardless, I can recommend checking out the Bora belts. Supergrit is also the only source I've found for ceramic 4x36 belts, which was a huge help for me.

Ok. Thanks. Im not working with stainless quite yet. Just 1084 for now so I can heat treat at home. So according to this, I could possibly grind 2 full average size blanks before its junk? That would be well worth it.

 

[JoshRG]

In my experience I would suggest ditching the blaze belts and ordering some of the value brand belts from TruGrit. Given the significant price difference I feel the value brand is more than worth it especially since they have seemed to last nearly as long as the Blaze belts. The 50 grit is plenty aggressive IMO for most rough cutting.

Cheers,
Joshua

 

[Adam Buttry]

Ok. So does the price difference add benefit though? I can get a 40 grit Zirc belt for a $1.50. Where as a 40 grit Ceramic is $4.25. Will the ceramic last longer than 3 zirc belts?
I'm just trying to find the most cost effective way to do this. And obviously I have a lot to learn.

It's hard to definitively answer your question about what will be most cost effective for you. Every maker has preferences in belts and brands. That preference is usually determined after much experimentation. In my own experience, one maker's preferences may differ greatly from my own. That's because we all have different grinding "styles" (pressure used, belt speed used, etc.) and differing circumstances. For instance, I do all of my bevel grinding post heat treat. My suggestion is to experiment with as many belts as you feel necessary, until you find what you feel is the most cost effective for your particular grinding application.

Do you, or does anyone else, recommend a particular brand or supplier?

I use 3M Cubitron II 984f ceramics (36 and 60 grit) and I get them from Pop's. The zirc belts I use are Norton Norzon Bluefire (120 and 220 grit) and I get them from Trugrit. As I mentioned above though, these are my preferences for my application. You may find you don't care for them at all and prefer something else that better suits your particular needs.