Scotchbrite Woes

[Salolan]

I like the finish I can get on my bevels with scotchbrite belts. I also like the contrast of the vertical finish on the bevels and horizontal on the ricasso and flats. My issue is that the scotchbrite belts always leave errant scratches above the bevels on the flats. I can mitigate this to an extent by using tape to mask off the flats. Is there a better way to avoid having to refinish the flats or am I just looking for an easy way out?

Chris

 

[Maelstrom78]

I like most people grind with the edge up. When I'm using the Scotch Brite belt it seems to work better to use it edge down. Maybe this will help it seems to work fairly well for me. I think with the thickness of the Scotch Brite belts in be very difficult or impossible to get a crisp transition from the ricasso to the bevel.

You could scotch-brite your bevels and then hand sand your ricasso.

 

[argel55]

It helps to use a smaller wheel with the scotch brite than the original grind is. Use an eight inch wheel to scotch brite on a ten inch wheel grind.

 

[Jack O'Neill]

why does every one make so much of this ? do the scotch bright belt finish and then hit the flats again on your flat platen until the slap from the belt is gone .

 

[Salolan]

why does every one make so much of this ? do the scotch bright belt finish and then hit the flats again on your flat platen until the slap from the belt is gone .

I am basically relegated to hand sanding the flats. That was my primary reason for trying scotchbrite belts was to allow me a good looking finish straight from the machine. With the extremely small flat and my screaming fast 2x42 even the lightest pressure in the wrong direction and I have washed out the top of the bevel.

I'll have to try the scotchbrite edge down and I'm flat grinding, so the smaller wheel won't resolve my issues.

Thank you fellas,
Chris