Storing Belts

L

lonepine

Joined
May 7, 2010
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I just got a box of grinding belts and am faced with the dilemma of where and how to store them. I understand that a garage with it's temperature and humidity extremes is not a belt-friendly environment.

I now have a range of grits from 60 to 600. Hanging them on the non-working drill press just isn't cutting it any more. It gets difficult to read the numbers on the back of the belts. I'm just having fun making knives, but those who do this seriously must go through a lot of belts and suspect that someone has a brilliant idea about keeping tabs on all the belts you have on hand.

- Paul Meske
 
A second hand coat rack from a garage sale also works well as a free standing solution
 
I drilled some holes at an angle in a two by, screwed the two by to the wall, and stuck dowels in the holes - works great, was cheap. Only trouble I've had was a bit of curling in the rains last Dec; didn't seem to hurt the belts, they just looked funny.

Tip: if you make the dowels stick out 5" or so for 2" wide belts, you can get two storage locations on a single peg. Generally, each peg gets one grint; I hang new belts in the back, and use the front for partially used belts.
 
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My solution for a lack of wall space:

belt_storage1.jpg
 
Patrice, That looks great for the new belts, but the challenge is new belts, used belts, good used belts, really used up used belts, etc.

Somebody help me!
 
I keep the bulk of my belts in their original boxes and keep a couple of fresh ones ready hanging from nails on the wall behind the grinder. I store the boxes in the basement in the dark away from sources of heat where the temperature and humidity stay relatively constant. Some of these belts are quite old- several years and I rarely ever have one break.
 
Harbor freight used to have these. They are cheap, like $4 each, and fit a belt almost perfectly. Just mark the belt grit on each hook. They actually work better for this than they do for their intended purpose, which is shovels and rakes.

image_8726.jpg

belt%20storage.jpg
 
Fiddleback said:
Patrice, That looks great for the new belts, but the challenge is new belts, used belts, good used belts, really used up used belts, etc.

Somebody help me!
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yep , that is my problem . I even built a floor rack with 16 hanging spots . New belt- 1 time used - 2 times used and so on . It did not work for long , full of all kinds of used belts and grits .
 
I've got a dozen dowell pegs in the wall. 6 for new belts, 6 for used belts. The used belt pegs are so overloaded with belts that they fall off constantly. I wish I had figured out a better system.
 
Here is what I use for the "rotation" portion of my belt storage. Simple hooks hanging close to the grinder. Since you should not hang on to belts too long, one for "almost new" and one for "used" should be enough for each grit. And throwing belts away really helps. I still hang on a little too long to belts but I am getting better. :(

100_3753.jpg
 
I've been thinking of trying this . Start marking the inside of belt with a felt marker . After 3 or 4 marks , close my eyes and trash it .
 
When you have to separate new from old you must have a production fever or a huge shop !!! Boy, sure hope you get your "days" work done. Frank
 
New belts on the inside, used belt on the outside. Note, BELT, not belts. Someone once told me "You should never have more than one used belt[per grit]. If it's worth using again, use it again. If you need to grab a new one, then the used one isn't worth keeping."
 
I like Pats idea as it keeps the belts straight and out of the way!:thumbup:

Once a belt is used for long and you feel then need to change for the project, the old 80 grit belt has become like a 100 grit belt, used again it might be good for polishing but everytime it is used there is less and less grit. Most time after the second good use it ain't much good.

Good rule of thumb: "If you find yourself leaning on the belt to do what you are trying to do can it", becuase you are going to screw up when you try to make the belt do something it is not capable of doing!
 
Thanks for sharing your secret belt storage systems. Now I've got to evaluate my space and see what I can do. Because I work in my garage I don't think I should store new belts there. I like the idea to of using ceiling space. I have three bicycles hanging from my garage ceiling right now. I should probably just get rid of them and use the space.

I am a little concerned about the build up of used belts and take a little satisfaction knowing that I'm not the only one who hates to part with a used belt. If I can feel grit on them then they should still be good for grinding SOMETHING.

- Paul Meske, Wisconsin
 
Paul: It gets pretty damp here in Hawaii too. I've been putting each grit of my new belts rolled up together in a gallon zip lock bag. I write the belt info on the top of the bag and store the bags vertically in an ice chest/cooler which is kept closed and close to the grinder. (Welding rods are stored in another cooler.) Used belts are hanging near by. The thinner J-flex style belts can sure twist up a lot!

Patrice: Your belt storage looks as well thought out and cool as your knives!
 
I am glad that the ceiling storage is of use to some of you guys. :thumbup:

Phil, thanks but not sure everything is that WELL thought out. I'd say more over-thought. I have the hardest time shutting my brain off sometimes. :(
 
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