Small belt/disc sanders

I've only used Aluminum oxide belts from Norton and the ceramic belts outperform them on my Sanders. The difference is significant.
 
I bought a 12 pack of different grit belts when I ordered the sander. This is what I bought. Sackorange 2 x 42 Inch High Performance Silicon Carbide Sanding Belts. I am going to look into different belts and a different platen arrangement for this down the road.

Thanks again for all the help and suggestions.
 
I used to use 3M exclusively. I now only buy Red Label. First, Red Label stocks everything I need, and if they are short, the'll promptly make what I want. 3M wants me to buy a box of 50 belts in the sizes I need, and makes me wait 8 weeks to deliver it.

I find the quality of the Red Label to be just fine, equivalent to 3M.
 
Probably repeating old ground here, but what grit are your go-to belts?

  1. For roughing a HSS tool blank to shape
  2. Re-sharpening a HSS tool that is slightly dulled
  3. Deburring
  4. Putting a radius on a corner
  5. Etc

Craig
 
I use a 36 grit belt to shape and an 80 grit to final shape tools before honing. I touch up tools rarely on a belt but when I do, I use a 120 grit belt. I usually deburr by hand with files or Emery. For putting a radius on tool bits I use a diamond stone. Radii for fabrication is done with an 80 grit belt.
 
So I'm a little rogue here, but I only use 36 grit. For anything finer, I use my pedestal grinders.
- I have a very simple reason. My 6X48 belt grinder is a PAIN to change belts on.....
 
mikey said:
I use a 36 grit belt to shape and an 80 grit to final shape tools before honing. I touch up tools rarely on a belt but when I do, I use a 120 grit belt. I usually deburr by hand with files or Emery. For putting a radius on tool bits I use a diamond stone. Radii for fabrication is done with an 80 grit belt.
Click to expand...
Thank you! 36 grit, eh?[1] The metal must just fly off!! Since I got my 1X42 running, I've played a little with a 60 grit and I was amazed at how quickly it removed mild steel. Even a 15 micron belt (circa 1000 grit) worked extremely quickly at sharpening a few food prep knives.

Re touching up HSS tools, I was thinking of my parting tool blade. Trying to form dog points on some semi-hard set screws proved that HSS was a poor choice. The basic geometry is fine I need to grind back to some unmolested steel.

Craig
[1] Authorized usage; I am a Canuck, eh! ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top