Slack Belt Sanding Trick

L6steel

L6steel

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
Messages
5,855
I have never had much luck with slack belt sanding handles to shape. Once I get to 120 grit and finer belts the edges curl up and cut grooves in the handle and make a mess of it.
I decided to experiment by putting a used but still stiff 60 grit belt on the grinder and putting the 120 grit belt over it. The 60 grit acts as a backer to the more flimsy 120 grit and the edges don't curl a bit.
It worked great!
I also used the set up to do something I've always wanted to be able to do well, dome bolsters.
It worked great on that job too!
I domed the 1/8" thick bolsters on 3 Mighty Mites and they just look fantastic.
I've always thought domed bolsters added a touch of class to a knife and am so happy I found this trick to make it possible for me.
I'll post a pic or two when the knives are dome to show you the effect I got.
 
L-6, the best belts i have found for handle sculpting are the Hermes superflex. with these i can use my fingers behind the belt for contact just were i want it. i use finger gloves on my first and second fingers for this operation.
 
For slack belting I use Klingspor LS-309 J-Flex soft back belts, I get them from Pop's Knife Supply, I split the belt into 1 x 72's and they just curve and contour to whatever shape you are trying to sand. I start with the J-flex at 220 grit and finer. :D
 
Michael, I'll give that a try. Cripes, when it gets to that stage I just clamp it in my knife vise and go at it with the old shoe shine method.

I'm looking forward to your pics.

Dave
 
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