Sanding belts: which abrasive material? (and other questions)

[Larry$]

I'm a big fan of the Norton "Nor-zon" (blue) belts.

I like those belts, they far outlast aluminum oxide and are more aggressive cutting.
Name brand belts will usually out last the cheap ones and the splices will be better.
I have a no-name deburring wheel on a crappy Grizzly 8" VS bench grinder that I really like. I think it wears faster than the name brands, which I'll replace it with when the time comes.
As sanding belts age the splices get weaker.

 

[Ulma Doctor]

Do they sell these in 4"x36" in small quantities anywhere?

I can only find them in 10 packs and that is pricy just for a trial run.

Norton 4''x36'' Sanding Belt | The Woodsmith Store

Increase your performance with the fast initial cut speed produced by the premium aluminum oxide abrasive on the Metalite R215/R255 coarse grit cloth narrow benchstand belt. A heavy X-weight cotton...

thewoodsmithstore.com

 

[RaisedByWolves]

Norton 4''x36'' Sanding Belt | The Woodsmith Store

Increase your performance with the fast initial cut speed produced by the premium aluminum oxide abrasive on the Metalite R215/R255 coarse grit cloth narrow benchstand belt. A heavy X-weight cotton...

thewoodsmithstore.com

Thanks, but I'm looking specifically for the blue nor-zon belts.

 

[Ulma Doctor]

Thanks, but I'm looking specifically for the blue nor-zon belts.

Sorry, I misunderstood

 

[darkzero]

I've got just a 2x42 (& cheap lil 4x36). I use mostly ceramic & zirconia belts in various grits, they perform much better & last much longer than AO for me. I also have a number of silicon carbide belts for non-ferrous metals, a scotchbrite belt, & a couple of 3M Trizact.

My ceramic & zirconia belts are Deerfos brand belts (Korea) cause I'm too cheap to buy 3M or Norton belts. Although the aluminum oxide belts I have for my 4x36 are Norton that I got from Mcmaster. I buy my belts from Supergrit.

 

[SouthernChap]

Well as usual, finding Norton abrasives in the UK is a complete PITA. I can get Norton wheels, but sheet abrasives are always hard to find.

Zoro, McMaster and Cromwel are a bust for anything 2" x 42" and the abrasive specific distributors don't carry much either.

Anybody heard of Biebelle? Their belts seem to be reasonably available.

 

[GeneT45]

Do they sell these in 4"x36" in small quantities anywhere?

I can only find them in 10 packs and that is pricy just for a trial run.

That's probably a lifetime supply as well...
Found this: https://www.amazon.com/Norton-4x36-120x-Norzon-Belts/dp/B005LH3W2K

GsT