Abrasive belt selection - What do you use and why?

Hello all...
I recently introduced myself as a new member, that I own a Canadian industrial supplies company and that my purpose here is to learn from you, in particular with regard to abrasive belts.
There have been a ton of changes in the abrasives industry in the past few years, both in the area of improvement and the more mainstream introduction of Ceramic grains into the market. So my question to you is... what are you using... in what application, through the entire grit range of your belts... and why?

Secondly, I would like to see if any of you are interested in doing some "trials" for me with a new Ceramic material that Klingspor Canada has just introduced. The parameters for the trial would be that you are already using a ceramic product (other than Klingspor) and would be willing to send me a copy of your last purchase invoice (as this new product is quite expensive... I need justification to the manufacturer showing what the competition sells at so that we can position the price on these belts comparably), and a willingness to provide comparative feedback, first to me, and then posted in the feedback string. I will order in bulk samples and send out FREE belts to those that would like to participate. I will limit the initial testing to the 1st 3-5 people.

I look forward to getting to know each of you better and hopefully helping you become more efficient with your abrasive selections!

 

Check jantz on line (among many others) all their pricing there to see , no deals that's the price

 

I am currently getting most of my belts from usaknifemaker. Aside from the specific costs i listed in my email to you, there full list of costs is on the site under the abrasive belt selection. You could also look at the prices from Trugrit, and supergrit.

 

I've been getting all my ceramics from knifemaker.ca in the past while they have started stocking a pretty good selection around 6 to 8 different grits. I absolutely love the heavier ceramics for blowing away some excess steel but personally anything after that stage I'm not to worried which type of belts I use they seem to pretty much do the same job for me...
But that being said I am very curious to new product and you never know what surprises they will yield.

 

I use Norton Ceramic up to 120 grit. They cut well and have a decent life span. After that I use Norax Structured Abrasive right up 3000 grit dependining on the finish I'm after. I'd be willing to give your belts a try.

 

Thanks for the feedback so far... I really appreciate it! The first test that I am going to run is with the Klingspor CS 910Y ACT Ceramic in 2" x 72" 36 grit. This is a new "multibond" ceramic that we are having some fantastic results with. So if you currently use a 36grit Ceramic that you can compare this with for me... email or PM me your address (if you haven't already done so). I'll be sending out some trial belts in a couple of weeks. Below is some info on the product for your reference (and anticipation!)

Product Info:
Extremely tear-resistant high-performance belt with self-sharpening ceramic grain for high stock removal efficiency and long service life for processing high-alloy steels, multibond for cool grinding

​

Multibond
A multibond is an additional coating applied on the top coat of coated abrasives. Multibonds allow cool grinding, that not only reduces heat into the workpeice but also keeps the grain cool enhancing the life of the abrasive. However, abrasives with multibond are only suited for the application on high-alloy steels. In addition, multibonds are not waterproof.

 

The new Klingspor Ceramic ACT belts have arrived! I will be dividing these up and sending samples out to those of you who graciously offer to test against other brands of Ceramic belts for me!



Looking forward to test results...

Rob

 

I don't know how I did it... but I deleted all the addresses of those who wanted to try these belts (Except for Rob W in Kelowna).
So please Email me your address again (or for the 1st time) if you would like to participate!

Email:
rob@onlinesupply.ca

Thanks!

 

Samples have gone out via FedEx to those who requested to take part in these trials (Thanks Brandon and Rob W!) I do have enough belts for 2 more participants if anyone else is currently using a ceramic belt and would like to do a comparison test for me!

Inside the box (along with some other tempting goodies!) is a form to log your test on. If you would prefer an Excel version, please send me an email... rob@onlinesupply.ca

Looking forward to the test results!

Rob

 

Rob I tried finding the ''store'' area where one could browse the belts in stock that do not have to be ordered in quantities of 10 or 12 but any number..........can you post the link please, thanks

 

Sure... go to: www.skookumtools.com/catalogue

and in the search box type: 2 x 72 (make sure you put a space between each character)
click on "Abrasives"
click on "Coated Abrasives"

Keep in mind that there are different order terms on this site:
* Most items, any quantity allowed
* Shipping fee $15.00 if order under $250.00
* Shipping FREE for orders over $250.00
* All orders confirmed by phone (so don't worry if you are a little unsure of an item - we'll chat before I process the order)

If you are looking for other size belts:
click on: "Abrasives"
click on: "Coated Abrasives"
click on: "Belts"
Under "Belt Size" click on: "more"
click on the size you are looking for!

 

Just wanted to say that I got my demo belts today Rob and they look great. The color is cool since its different from the usual brown, orange, or blue. Since they were here, I had steel, and I also had time, I decided to throw one on and make some sparks. No review yet of course, and I will be sure to go through that with you first, but I must say they sure did make some steel go away. Decided to do full grinding instead of the usual cutting off the excess just as a test. Got one profiled tonight and ready for bevels tomorrow. Thanks very much for including me in this demo Rob, it's much appreciated.

 

Thanks again for all the feedback guys!
I am starting to bring in stock now (so that delivery times AND minimum orders can be reduced!) and I am looking for feedback on the belts I am thinking of keeping in stock:

36grit CS910Y Ceramic (Green)
60grit CS912Y Ceramic (Red)
80grit CS411X Zirconia (Blue)
100grit to 400grit LS312JF Aluminum Oxide (Yellow)
500grit CS321X Silicon Carbide (Black)
600grit CS310X Aluminum Oxide (Brown)
800grit CS321X Silicon Carbide (Black)

So if you could let me know which grits you do/do not use... and what grit you "finish" at that would be really helpful.

Also... would you use Coarse, Medium or Fine surface conditioning (Scotch Brite) if I made those available as well?

 

Skookum-Rob and others..............I did have a chance over the weekend to try out Skookum Rob's belt sample offerings............
when I opened the box I too had the "that's a cool color" thought.......
the 36 grit is obviously very coarse and the only belt I tried or required to profile made very quick work of (4) 6" skinners..........usually I use my band saw to minimize my stock removal with belts but as these were generously donated by Rob I opted to use the belt for "full'' stock removal and really lean into 'em to see how they performd. No rips or tears, they seemed to wear very evenly and kept hogging the material away. I was happy with the initial performance and will post more as time allows. I need to have a closer look at pricing but if Rob is in the ballpark it would be a refreshing change to to be able to purchase a decent product somewhat local.

Rob

 

Thanks Rob W...
I am interested to hear how much heat was generated during your "full" stock removal... The GREEN colour of the belts is a coating called "ACT" or Advanced Coating Technology. The purpose of this coating is to reduce the heat generated under heavy grinding. Heat plays a large factor in the life of your abrasive belts. So, did you notice any difference between this 36gr and other 36gr belts you have used?
Rob M

 

I would use a fine scotchbrite for sure. I have a medium and find it gives a big coarser scratch pattern than I was after. I also have not really tried it on a hardened blade, so I assume that would make a difference. I would say medium and fine would be best since I don't know anyone using a coarse belt currently. Edit::: I did find that they ground fairly cool. But was out of 36 grit ceramics to compare too when I used this one so that will have to wait until I can get a direct comparison. I did find they ground cooler than the 36 grit AO I had on hand to compare to. Like Rob said, they seemed to cut very aggressive when doing full stock removal with no sign of dulling on the work I have done so far. I am only running at about 2800 sfpm so I think they would be even better at a higher speed, which I am changing to today. The belt seemed to wear evenly and stay relatively cool even when leaning hard enough to bog my 1 hp grinder. One benefit that I immediately liked was the lack of a "smell" when hogging. I'm not sure of its just the batch I got or if its the bonding agent or backing used, but I find that my blaze belts seem to emit a strange, but not really unpleasant, odour. These ones didn't have that odour.

 

2" X 72" FINE SCOTCHBRITE Now in stock - available in Qty 1

Interesting comment about the "odour"... I have run into a similar report with zipcut wheels. In the case of the zipcut wheels, our product had less "fillers" (therefore more "working" product in each wheel) which not only provided for less smell, but also produced better production results. I assume we are seeing a similar comparison here.

 

lol you drop the price now, I just bought an order from you ahh well maybe next time.

 

Nope... you get credit on the difference on your next order... I'll make you up a digital coupon and email it to you!

 

whoohooo...