Questions about scotchbrite finish

H

Hesparus

Joined
Oct 31, 2004
Messages
1,442
Hi Everyone,

I'm thinking about getting a scotchbrite belt or wheel but I had some questions that hadn't been answered by the search button. Hopefully someone can help me out:
1) What's the difference between belts and wheels (other than the obvious, I mean)? I have a Grizzly 2x72 if that matters.
2) How long do the belts last?
3) How well do the finishes hold up against rust (I'd be using the fine/blue)?
4) How do they work on wood or micarta?
5) I've read references to using them for sharpening. How does that work?
Thanks,
Chris
 
I have a belt and I haven't used it yet.. from what I understand they're intended for satin finishes. I'm interested to see the answers as well!
 
1) What's the difference between belts and wheels?
I have never used wheels before.
2) How long do the belts last?
Ive had mine for about a year or more. Its pretty beat up and needs replacing but still works.
3) How well do the finishes hold up against rust (I'd be using the fine/blue)?
I use them on stainless and havent had any rust problems yet.
4) How do they work on wood or micarta?
I have only used it on g10 and micarta. It leaves a nice finish with a little wd40
5) I've read references to using them for sharpening. How does that work?
I wouldnt sharpen a badly neglected edge on it. I do however use it to touch up my knife when I am too lazy to roll out the paper wheels.

Hope this helps, I have the blue one as well.
 
I use a Scotchbrite wheel to finish the spine on my kitchen knives. Put a small 45 degree bevel on the spine with belt grinder and then take it to the wheel and it cleans up that spine with a nice polish very quickly. Only thing I use the wheel for though...but at that task, it's priceless.

I use the Coarse and Fine Scotchbrite belts to put a satin finish on my blades and for handle work. I've had the Fine for about a year and it still works fine...though I'm only a hobbyist and it doesn't see the use a full time shop would see.
 
I have a Grizzly and use Scotchbrite belts and wheels. I have coarse to fine for both. The set up that works for me is to use the medium and fine belts first, then move to the fine wheel for the finish. I keep the course belt as a scale stripper, mostly. The medium and coarse leave a finish that seems to trap moisture. My 1095 doesn't like it and rusts easily. Moving down to fine and finishing with the wheel took care of the problem, for me.

Rick
 
Thanks Rick! A couple of follow up questions:
1) You say you go from fine belt to fine wheel. What's the difference?
2) What grit do you grind to before you go to the scotchbrite?

@ Watercrawl: That's good to know. I'm just a hobbyist, too, so I hope it works out for me as well as for you — those things are expensive.

- Chris
 
I find the wheels to be a finer grit than the belts. The wheels are like a "sponge" and the belts are "wooly" for lack of a better descriptor. I've been using the wheels for 4yrs and the belts for 2yrs. The wheels wear down and I replace them yearly. I use them all the time, BTW.... WELL worth the investment. The belts have been going strong for 2yrs. They are impervious to water so if you find they gum up with WD-40 or other material(micarta, G10) just soak them in a bucket of hot water and dish soap, blow them out with an airgun and they'll be almost like new. The initial break-in will have a coarser finish but as the fiber gets compressed a bit it, will be more consistant. I really like them. Lately, I've be taking my hand sanding to 800grit before hitting the belts. I put an etched rustic/aged look to mine afterward, though. The satin finish masters might have better advice for you.

Rick
 
To emphasize what Rich said, the belts and the wheels are totally different animals, although they will leave similar finishes. "Spongey" is a good way to describe the belts. You would never want to sharpen on a belt (as far as I can imagine).
 
I love my scotchbrite belts. I did try sharpening on them once, started coarse the n fine, and actually did ok, left a very aggressive edge. I do a scotchbrite finish on almost all of my knives, I just like they way it looks. If you want a finer finish, wear down the fine(blue) belt a good amount then coat it in wax or a buffing compound, I can get a near-mirror finish this way.

Note: If you make kydex sheaths DONT EVER SMOOTH THE EDGES WITH YOUR BELTS, it WILL ruin them, learned that the stupid way. If you go the belt route I really would not recommend smoothing any "thin" edged material on the belts.

Micarta/G10: G10 is fine, works great for smoothing the handle. Can't recommend the same for micarta, burns the micarta pretty easily, and wears the belt quickly.
Wood: See micarta, oil in the wood and sawdust clogs the belt
Belt life: Long time if you take care of them. Finishes get finer over time. When new, the finish can be quite coarse.
Rust: Not a protection against rust.
 
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I've used the belts, but I had no idea you could wash them. Maybe that's why I was disenchanted. I was bummed that they "wore out" so quickly, because they ain't cheap or easy to find in small quantity. They sure worked a lot better at first, than they did after a few blades.

Personally, and I tried, they don't sharpen worth a damn, but my edges are way more refined than these belts.

I've seen a Master Bladesmith use them full of emery, which worked well, I thought. Probably takes a good bit of emery to fill one.

I'm happy to hear that they last longer than it appeared to me, but I dont see a whole lot of advantage to them, but they are kind to the plunge line.
 
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