what belts you using?

N

nockhunter

Joined
Oct 15, 2010
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Just a quick question about grinding belts. I have a 2x42 crapsman grinder and was wondering what variety grit and types of belts you guys are using. I will be using mostly old files and high carbon steel. I am going to try forging some also. I do have some 440c bars though.

Thanks
Mike
 
For my 2x42 craftsman i go over to tru grit.com

I don't think they sell the Norton blaze, or the Gator belts that most makers like to use for their 2x72 machines, but they have a pretty good selection of aluminum oxide and silicon carbide belts in alot of grits.

I like a machine finish, so I rough grind with a 60 grit, then go to 120, 220 and 400. I like to use a fine scotchbrite belt to finish (don't think they make one for the craftsman though.) but you could try to find a wheel maybe.
 
supergrit.com has a nice selection of 2x42's also. Shipping is cheaper than trugrit if you're in the US. Go for zirconia or ceramic belts, they work better and last longer than AO or SC.
 
psycho78 said:
For my 2x42 craftsman i go over to tru grit.com

I don't think they sell the Norton blaze, or the Gator belts that most makers like to use for their 2x72 machines, but they have a pretty good selection of aluminum oxide and silicon carbide belts in alot of grits.

I like a machine finish, so I rough grind with a 60 grit, then go to 120, 220 and 400. I like to use a fine scotchbrite belt to finish (don't think they make one for the craftsman though.) but you could try to find a wheel maybe.
Click to expand...

Trugrit's got the gator's for 2x42, just not the complete line. I use the gators, a 60 grit ceramic and the 36 grit zirconia. I am also still playing around with the Klingspor J-Flex belts in 120 and 500 for things like cleaning up a plunge line and other areas I use the edge of the platen for. So far I'm liking them but for general use it's hard to beat the gators, particularly on the craftsman machine. It runs so fast that the little tape joint hops with most belts, you don't get that with the gators. It's reduced with the j-flex, and using them at the edge of the platen reduces that even further so it's not an issue for fine cleanup.
 
Finishing belts.

For finishing I prefer having graphite on the platen, it helps to prevent belt bump, giving a tiny bit of softness. Probably not so good for sharp grind lines or plunges.

I also have a grey 3m trizact 45micbelt that I like a lot.

A 3m 40mic yellow film that I don't like at all because it carves weird divots, I think I damaged the edge maybe at the tape. Regardless even before damage I find the film an unforgiving belt on the platen, maybe wouldn't be so bad on a wheel or slack, but I haven't tried that.

I have a green non-woven (scotchbrite clone), as cork 600 grit and a wool felt belt.

I like the cork, wish I had opted for the no grit one too so I could use green compound with it without getting 600 grit scratches.

The first felt belt stretched out on my first use, they sent a replacement I have yet to try. It left a nice polish.
 
3m 967 and/or Blaze for rough grits, zirc belts for 120 and 220 grit, Klingspore cork belts for 400 and 800 grit, Norax belts up to about 1300 grit. The corks and Norax never seem to wear out!
 
Thanks. I've been to both trugrit and supergrit web sites. How long do the belt last? Where I used to work, and did most of my grinding, had crappy 1x30 AO 80 grit belts. They didn't last long but they had a never ending supply. I probably went through a 10-12/ blade. Then a lot of hand finishing. I figure I would get a bunch of 36g, 120g, 220g/320g then hand finish from there.

Mike
 
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