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What do you do with used belts.

southriv

southriv

Joined
Feb 28, 2002
Messages
751
I've recently started swapping belts more often - enjoying the nice bite and grind I get with a fresh belt. This took a while for me to do because, being a New Englander, I'm a little bit of a cheapskate. Well, I learned my lesson.

Now, instead of wearing a belt out on grinding, I use these somewhat used belts to profile, for some of the handle work and other chores in my business. As a result of all this, I have a growing collection of very smooth belts. Keeping in mind that it is painful for me to throw anything out, what do you do with them? grind em up and use them for mulch?

Bob
 
Bob,
I try to find some New Englander to give them to, but seems you guys are catching on :)

You're smart using sharp belts. Most of the grinding problems I've seen guys have was because they were trying to grind with worn out belts.

I just put them in the dumpster.
 
Being half New Englander, I hate to throw things away too. However I have found that old belts burn the surface of the hardwoods I use in my handles. This doesn't leave me much choice, so every once in a while I have to bite the bullet and clean house.
 
They work real good as fuel for the shop heater in the winter time:D
I also use mine untill they are no longer worth using.But I have to clean out the old when it is time to get new ones.
Bruce
 
guilty as charged. I keep more than I should.
I keep thinking that if I run out, I can use some of the
used ones as back up.or maybe if the boys get into a project they can use them.
:( it looks like the belt monster came through here.:(
 
Kit - you said it. My days got easier when I got freer with the belts.

Well, tomorrow is dump day - might as well say good-by to that pile of belts.

Bob
 
you have to learn to throw them away..............its not easy, but it makes life go a LOT better!


Kit-they dont really have dumpsters out in the wilderness.......do they?
 
I use my old belts to do all the rounding of the sharp inside corners of my liners after the knife is profiled and before final sanding. When the knife is amost finished I round all the inside corners of the liners and round the top of the blade. Also a good use is to block sand the bolsters to get the deeper scratches out. This has been a good way for me to get rid of some of the old belts. I rip them into about 1 and half foot lengths and split them lengthwise to about 1/2" and sand similar to polishing your shoes with a rag or slack belting. Works well for me. I just recently did a major dump of belts though because they do tend to add up and I ran out of room on the hangers on the wall. New belts are the way to go as previously mentioned and you usually ruin things trying to make them last too long. I learned the hard way myself. ;)
 
Yep, I learned this one the hard way, and am still practicing applying it. But I manage to accumulate big piles of old belts (I'm sure there's some grit left in em) that I just throw away. It's the best way; just toss em. Yes it hurts. :)
 
Throw them out?! Talk about a bunch of spendthrifts. You only need one belt; as it wears out grit change occurs automatically. Just kidding, even a hobbyist like me, finally learned to throw them out. Pressing too hard against a dull belt is hard on the work piece and the operator, not to mention it can be dangerous.
 
I've learned from a reputable source that worn out belts are excellent for hand sanding. They are stiffer than sheets of paper abrasives (which are too expensive as it is!) I'm going try this soon.
 
Guy, this is true in a number of applications and I have pieces of one of each grit of belt for just that purpose. But I wear out belts a lot faster than I can use em up hand sanding! :D

What occurred to me earlier today is that this is why it's cheaper in the long run to buy more expensive belts. They just last longer.

The caveat to that though, is that you might not be able to squeeze the value out of the finer grits if you don't have a variable speed machine to slow it down. I've found the finer belts wear much faster at higher speeds than slower. So for my single-speed 48" grinder, I still use cheap AO belts. Works okay so far as I can tell. My 2c.

Dave
 
make Beltcarta ;)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=219328&highlight=beltcarta

found this thread about a week ago. some people are more creative than i am...

:)

beltcarta.jpg


some feller made a homemade type of epoxy and old belt based micarta. cracked me up.
 
Used belts are the zuccini of the knife makers garden. I give them away to everyone who visits my shop, even carry them out to their vehicle for them. Pretty soon they quit comming around and I have more time to wear out more belts. It is a continuing drama, how long will there be room in the shop for me and the belts. Talk about ring around the collar, the heart break of psoriasis, dandruf and other soical ills, it is nothing comparted to the crowding of old belts.

Expensive ones stay around even longer than cheap ones. Trouble is after a while you get to be friends with them, remember the good times shared and figure you still have one corner to toss them to. Even shop mice don't fool with them, they are sacred. Maybe we got a lesson there somewhere. ?

Might try taking them to a show and selling them with the knife they made, sign them and who knows, collectors belts?

Common guys, we got to get creative when facing an opportunity like this.
 
Ed May have something here....We could just give them away at shows with our signatures on them,or maybe get a bunch of makers to sign one and let them sell it at the auction:D ..
I bet if we took and printed out those address labels on our computers with our information like a business card,then cut the old belts up into a size that the stickers will fit onto and then put the two together and then give them out as business cards at the shows:cool: It would definately be something different that is for sure...

I wonder if the dull finer grits would make good razor straps if backed by scrap leather or on a small stick (like those free paint stirers you can get at Wal Mart)and then sold or given away at the shows:D :D :D :D

Bruce
 
there you go,, business belts.:D
maybe suspenders to hold your pants up:D
would make a great clip on tie.:)

or strip them up and make guarder belts for
the sexie knife ladys :eek: :eek: ;):D
Bruuuuce do you think???I dont dare ask :) :D
 
Well, some of you "Big Name" knifemakers could always sign the back of the belt and sell them on Ebay. ;) :) :D
 
I don't think we could get Donna in a garter made from old belts at least not in pictures I could show anybody;)

Maybe if we made them into really thin strips we could have them re-wove into Bikini's or shirts or pants or something like that:D
Bruce
 
Ha Ha Bruce you are a sport...:D :D
head lines
AO belted jeans, the toughest pair of pants you'll ever wear.:D

Ed You willing to try a pair out on the Ranch?:D
I think we'd have to find a softener :eek: :eek: :)
 
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