School me on sanding belts.

B

BladesByBaz

Joined
Aug 2, 2014
Messages
79
I've been modifying my cheap crappy grinder/belt sander to optimise for blade shaping.

These come from a budget hardware chain and are only just made to a standard to get the job done, but aren't up to the task when it comes to getting more serious.

The belts only come in a couple of standard sizes, grit and only in aluminium oxide, which is rubbish but you do what you can with what you've got I suppose. Improvise adapt and overcome.

At some point I obviously need to upgrade. I live in Canberra. Where to I source the right stuff?

Baz.

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You did not say what size you need, I would look in the Stickies (at the top) there is a long listing of suppliers they will best be able to help you with somewhat odd sizes. Then you can pick how much you wish to spend. If you are taking about a grinder upgrade I recommend the same and also do a search on grinders there is alot of discussion on many types of machines and a number of make it yourself types.
 
If you're not already a member of the Australian forum it's worth jumping on there when it comes to sourcing something local. Most guys I know either have home made setups or dropped the cash ($3500ish) for something like a Radius Master - but those guys are seriously into it.
 
Being the unhappy owner of an unloved and unused Radiusmaster, Aussies must be desperatefor a grinder to pay ANYTHING for that model, much less $3500!!!! That thing is a useless as teats on a boar hog, at least for knife making, compared to a KMG, Bader, Burr King, Wilton, TW90, etc. Even the ability to lay over in a horizontal position doesn't make up for its other glaring faults.
Chris Larrikin said:
If you're not already a member of the Australian forum it's worth jumping on there when it comes to sourcing something local. Most guys I know either have home made setups or dropped the cash ($3500ish) for something like a Radius Master - but those guys are seriously into it.
Click to expand...
 
jdm61 said:
Being the unhappy owner of an unloved and unused Radiusmaster, Aussies must be desperatefor a grinder to pay ANYTHING for that model, much less $3500!!!! That thing is a useless as teats on a boar hog, at least for knife making, compared to a KMG, Bader, Burr King, Wilton, TW90, etc. Even the ability to lay over in a horizontal position doesn't make up for its other glaring faults.
Click to expand...

I'm not suggesting the OP should buy one, just pointing out that choice seems a bit limited at the low end here and prices are generally significantly higher.

Oops I think I misinterpreted the question - I was thinking grinders/sanders not the belts themselves. Apologies to the OP
 
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Check with some of the abrasives companies. They often have overseas offices. Klingspore or 3M would be good starts. A bulk order makes shipping not so significant. Perhaps your mates will all pool an order and get a hundred belts or so. That also greatly drops the price. Even regular suppliers like Tru-grit and USA Knifemakers will probably ship to Australia.
The stickies has a list of suppliers.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Check with some of the abrasives companies. They often have overseas offices. Klingspore or 3M would be good starts. A bulk order makes shipping not so significant. Perhaps your mates will all pool an order and get a hundred belts or so. That also greatly drops the price. Even regular suppliers like Tru-grit and USA Knifemakers will probably ship to Australia.
The stickies has a list of suppliers.
Click to expand...

Thank you sir. Our local forge uses an industrial supplier in town. I've approached them.
 
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