Sanding Belts -- villiage idiot questions.

S

seionage

Joined
Oct 3, 2010
Messages
398
hi all,
I recently picked up a 2x42 craftsman grinder from craigslist.

I know nothing about sanding belts, and am trying to get a handle on what I need to order.

It looks like trugrit.com and supergrit.com are the preferred suppliers of 2x42 belts.

From all the posts I've read, it seems like people like the following progressions:

=================
60,80,120 Norton Blaze Belts (2x60 grit -- twice as many as the others)

HT then 400 gator and then scotchbrite

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or
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120, 220, 400, HT, 400, scotchbrite.
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or
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80, 320, 600
==============

What progression do you like? Is there any gotchas with any of the progressions above?

From what I've read, people seem to agree that Blaze belts are the best. Who makes them?

What is the difference between a Blaze belt and a ceramic belt?

what is a scotchbright belt? is there a different name for them? who makes them? is there an equivalent belt?

What is a Gator belt? Is that a ceramic belt? who makes gators? Is there a competing belt that is the same?

Thanks a bunch!

PS: Also posted this on KD, but am looking for as much feedback as possible from different people.
 
I have a craftsman 2x42 as well. I do not think that norton blaze are available in this size unfortunately. Gator belts look like this
TZA160-2.jpg

made by 3M but I dont know if they are ceramic.

As far as grit progression goes there is a thread going about that, but I say just do what works, youl learn fast enough, and if your anything like me you will be ordering from trugrit allot for belts, and general suplies
 
I believe the rule of thumb is to double your grit level each step.

60 > 120 > 220 > HT > 400 > x30 > x15
or
36 > 80 > 120 > 220 HT > x65 > x30 > x15
While some people do:
36 > 120 > HT > 220 > buffer
While others do:
Coarse files > fine files > 220 > HT > 400 > buffer
Some people even:
36 > 120 > 220 > HT > Sand Blast(Media, bead, walnut)
Some people will even throw in several levels of hand sanding after the final belts, some don't. There is no correct answer, or everyone would do it the same. Likewise with hand sanding. Some will state that every level has to be done by hand, others will tell you to use a pad sander for all except the final grit. It's a matter of thinking more work turns out a better product. Like Scrooge McDuck always said, "Work smarter, not harder!"
 
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