What grinding grit progression do you use

R

rockfishbrewery

Joined
Jan 24, 2012
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Hello,

I recently purchased a Craftsman 2x42 belt grinder and recently used it to grind the bevel on two paring knives I made. Listed below is the grit progression method I used before heat treatment:

• Did most of the material removal with a 120 AO belt.
• Hand sanded both knives with 220 then 400 grit sandpaper.
• Finished them off with a medium, then a fine scotchbrite belt.

* I’ve been using AO belts which I know is not the best way to go, however AO belts in 2x42 are all that’s all that's available locally.

I'm looking to purchase some good quality belts and need some advise. When doing your bevel grinds before heat treat:

• What specific grits and what grit materials (or brand of belts) do you use?
• What grit progression do you use?
• Where can I buy the belts you use? Trugrit.com?


Thanks in advance for any input you provide.
 
I do various ways depending on the finish I want, normally I grind with a 36 cubitron ceramic, I used to use blaze but they don't seem to last nearly as long as they used to and the backing gums up my wheels and platen. I then use a a300 gator, and sometimes go to a a100/a45 then hand sand. Mostly just use the a300 then hand sand however. Grits I used for hand sanding following a a300 are 120,220,400,600 or higher if you want a polished finish. If I go up to the a45 gator I start at 220grit.
 
I start with a 36 grit 984f cubitron, much better than the Blaze belts. Change to a 60, same manufacture. These are the two most important grits, after you get to this point, select the finer belts for the finish you want.
 
I start with a 36 grit then go to a NEW 120 grit belt . Ill hand sand sometimes at 120 and ht. Afterward depending on the mood and look of the knife Ill either go with belts at 220 and 400 then a scotchbrite or just hand sand after heat treat from 120 up. 120 is a little bit of a pain but if you get a real good first sand with the 120 the other steps go real fast and smooth.
 
On my 2x42 I was using the klingspor 36 grit zircs, 60 then 120 norton ceramics (better options out there now in 2x42, but these are inexpensive and good), then switched to gators from A100 down to A30. I'd also use a 120 grit jflex for plunges and sometimes a fine grit one as well.

The blaze became available in 2x42 around the time I upgraded grinders, but I imagine they're worth the upgrade. I would be concerned with the black crud the current production is said to produce, but I'd still try them for a bit. I used the regular norton ceramics and was happy enough but they still wore out fairly fast. I would go with the 984's but I don't see them for 2x42 yet. That's what I'm using right now on my 2x72 and been very happy. A little more testing and I'll probably order a bunch of the 36 and 60 grit to use as my primary belts.
 
36 grit ceramic, 160 gator, heat treat. 160 gator, 400 gator, then hand sand or scotchbrite belt. Haven't tried the Blaze yet, but it's on my list of things to do.
 
The best advice I've heard, and what I do now, is to start with 60 grit, then switch to gator belts and work my way up from there. Just make sure you take off plenty with the 60 grit, b/c the gator belts won't remove much metal, but they produce a great finish, and it's easy to hand sand at 400 after using the 400 grit gator belt.
 
I use norton blaze belts. I start at 60 grit then move straight to 220 and sometimes up to 400. I usually finish with scotchbrite. When hand sanding, I go 220, 320, 400, 600, 1500 (don't remember what the brand is). This is a little different than what some other people do, but it's what I was taught and it works for me.

- Chris
 
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