2 x 72 belts
I am asked all the time were do you buy belts from .
TRUGRIT.com huge selection
USA Knife makers also has a good selection
super grit .com has low prices
they have 100% felt belts .these work great with green or white buffing bars to polish up your blade to a mirror finish
1.start off with 2 x 72 belts
stock removal is done with 36 grit to 80 grit belts
I prefer 60 grit
3M cubitron 2 984 ceramic belt is the best belt available . i HAVE USED ALL KINDS & these cut fast
R980 Blaze ceramic 40 to 60 grit belt also very good
2. next move to 80 - 120 grit to remove previous grind lines off the blade
2x72- R980Y Blaze ceramic or cubitron 2 80 Grit to 120 Grit
3. after refining the blade finish you can use use 180 - 220 - ceramic , silicon carbide or zirconia all will will work for this step
4. 220 on up I use a few different types of belts .
220 up to 800 try silicon carbide belts very nice finish . consistent and predictable
220 TO 800 GRIT TRY CORK BELTS very fine finish and they last forever S.R . Johnson uses these type of belts on his knives . for break in tips look at
trugrit.com to see how he breaks in the cork belts .
3M trizact #'s 100 ,60 , 45, 30,20 ,15 & 5 these are micron belts and grit size is measured in the screen hole size that is used to sift the grains in the separation process . so the larger the number the larger the grit size
OR
NORTON NORAX #'s 100 ,60 , 45, 30,20 ,15 & 5 these are micron belts ALSO
this should get you close to a mirror finish .
buff with a cotton wheeled buffer .with green chrome .
I use all of these belts when working on a knife . over time you will find a combination that works for you .
belts are different in many ways grit , backing weight , cork, ceramic ,aluminum oxide , zirconium. silicon carbide . structured abrassives .
and dont forget about felt buffing belts and leather belts .
There are three basic set ups for pheer belt grinder
SLACK-of-belt, FLAT PLATEN andcontact wheel. Slack-of-belt is used with low pressure finishing of blades and handles . FLAT Platen have a flat plate backing up the abrasive belt,USED for grinding and finishing flat surfaces SUCH AS FLAT GRINDS
.
But contact wheel set ups are by far the most common and the most versatile
In fact, after selection of the proper abrasive belt, the contact wheel is the most important factor in how a belt will ultimately perform. Contact wheels serve as the back-up to the belt and I have found that they can be used for almost 80% of the work on a knife from cleaning pits to profiling the shape and hollow grinding
There are just a few basic concepts to consider when selecting a contact wheel:
1.) Construction: Contact wheels for polishing are made using either rubber-covered aluminum or polyurethane
2.) Hardness: The basic rule of thumb – the softer the wheel, the softer the scratch and the better the conformability to the workpiece. Rubber contact wheels are easily measured in “durometer” hardness values (20 being the softer end of the scale and 90 at the harder end). 50 duro to 70 is ideal for knife making 90 duro is the hardest wheel that should be used .
3.) Serration: On rubber contact wheels, serrations are grooves cut into the face of the wheel. This action allows more pressure on the belt which is supported on the “lands” between the grooves (as compared to a smooth-faced wheel). The pattern of “grooves and lands” allows better breakdown of the abrasive grain and also cooler cutting with less working pressure
smooth faced wheels are much better for finishing blades
. Contact wheels can be ordered with various groove-to-land ratios, groove depths and shapes and angles of serration.
A typical contact wheel for general purpose grinding or finishing would be 8" to 14” diameter, 2" wide 50-70 durometer hardness, 3/8” to 3/8” groove-to-land ratio, 3/8” groove depth and have a 45° serration angle.
buffing info link
--------Contact Wheels -------
All wheels are fitted with internal bearings with a 1/2" ID
70-80 Durometer
all wheel are 2" wide with a 1/2" ID
2" diameter-----------------------------------------------$65
3" diameter-----------------------------------------------$75
4" diameter-----------------------------------------------$79
5" diameter-----------------------------------------------$115
6" diameter-----------------------------------------------$145
8" diameter-----------------------------------------------$285
10" diameter ---------------------------------------------- $325
12" diameter -----------------------------------------------$369
14" diameter ---------------------------------------------- $440
CONTACT WHEELS NEED AN EXTRA TOOL ARM
A LIST OF SUPPLIERS FOR KNIFE RELATED ITEMS,
Jantz Supply
PO Box 584
309 West Main
Davis, OK 73030
Order Line: 800.351.8900
Phone: 580.369.2316
K & G Supply
PO Box 458 Mail Stop I
Lakeside, AZ 85929-0458
Information: 928.537.8877
Orders: 800.972.1192
Sheffield Knifemakers Supply Inc.
PO Box 741107
Orange City, FL 32774-1107
Cust. Serv.: 904.775.6453
Tru-Grit
I like tru grit they have a huge selection of belts
760 E. Francis St. N
Ontario, CA 91761
Sales & 909.923.4116
Texas Knifemaker's Supply
10649 Haddington #180
Houston, TX 77043
Phone: 713.461.8632
Toll Free: 888.461.8632
Alpha Knife Supply
Chuck Bybee
Phone: 425.868.5880
Cell: 425.246.7215
USA KNIFE MAKERS
Tracy & his staff are great to deal with
Midwest Knifemakers
42112 Kerns Drive
North Mankato, MN 56003
Tel: 507.947.3760
Admiral Steel
4152 West 123rd St.
Alsip, IL 60803
Tel: 800.323.7055
Fax: 708.388.9317
New Jersey steel baron
http://www.newjerseysteelbaron.com/
Little Giant
420 4th Corso
Nebraska City, NE 68410
402.873.6603
Parts for mechanical hammers.
Jeweler's Supply
Custom Laser, Inc.
Paul Bos heat treating ( best )
1900 Weld Blvd.
El Cajon, CA 92020
Tel.: 619.562.2370
Air-hardened steel only (stainless)
PETERS HEAT TREAT
blade division
http://petersheattreat.com/cutlery.html
belts in 25 packs or 50 3m AO 577 & ceramics
seamount knife works lots of very good info , very detailed info on steel and other topics
Z KNIVES
master list of all kinds of knife stuff http://ajh-knives.com/material.html#top
CONTACT RUBBER CORP.
BEST RUBBER CONTACT WHEELS
Gerst hard wood face book page.
John sells awesome stabilized scales first rate knife handles
Safety
1. always wear form fitting Gloves avoid loose fitting gloves ,
wear eye protection and a leather apron
2. never hold the blade in a manner that can catch the belt edge and throw it back at you ,avoid using the section above the contact wheel to sharpen a blade . I discovered it the hard way ,I barely had enough time to jump to the side to avoid a flying razor sharp knife that was launched right at me . it's just not worth the risk .
3 let the belt do the work , avoid jamming your work into the belt . if your hands slip then chances are you will end up pushing your fingers right into the belt , if your not wearing gloves then you may grind off your finger tips .
grinding steel can be dangerous if safe and proper operating procedures are not followed. As with all machinery, there are certain hazards involved with the operation of the belt grinder . Using the machine with respect and caution will considerably lessen the possibility of personal injury.
However, if normal safety precautions are overlooked or ignored,personal injury to the operator may result.
Safety equipment such as , push sticks, leather gloves , leather apron ,goggles, dust masks and hearing protection can reduce your potential for injury. But even the best safety equiptment won’t makeup for poor judgment, carelessness or inattention. Always use common sense and exercise caution in the workshop.If a procedure feels dangerous, don’t try it.
Figure out an alternative procedure that feels safer. REMEMBER: Your personal safety is your responsibility.This machine was designed for certain applications only.
.3. ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION. Wear safety glasses. Everyday eyeglasses only have impact resistant lenses; they are not safety glasses. Also use face or dust mask if cutting operation is dusty. These safety glasses must conform to ANSI Z87
.5. KEEP WORK AREA CLEAN. Cluttered areas and benches invite accidents
.6. DON’T USE IN DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT. Don’ tuse power tools in damp or wet locations, or expose them to rain. Keep work area well-lighted.
7. KEEP CHILDREN AND VISITORS AWAY. All children and visitors should be kept a safe distance from work area.
8. MAKE WORKSHOP CHILDPROOF – with padlocks,master switches, or by removing starter keys.
9. DON’T FORCE TOOL. It will do the job better and be safer at the rate for which it was designed
.10. Don’t force tool or attachment to do a job for which it was not designed
.11. WEAR PROPER APPAREL. No loose clothing, ,neckties, rings, bracelets, or other jewelry to get caught in the belt or wheels . Nonslip footwear is recommended. Wear protective hair covering to contain long hair.
12. SECURE WORK. hold the piece firmly
.13. DON’T OVERREACH. Keep proper footing and balance at all times.
14. MAINTAIN TOOLS IN TOP CONDITION. check bearings and bolts Keep clean for best and safest performance.
.15. DISCONNECT MOTOR AND DRIVE before servicing