2" x 72" Sanding Belts

[Hunterbow Smithy]

Here is a rather obtuse question, but I am going to ask it anyway: What is the actual circumference of a 2" x 72" belt? Is it actually 72" as implied by the name or slightly smaller like many other nominal sizes like a 2x4? Sorry for such a dumb question. Please try to keep the blows above the belt.

Thanks,

Chad

[hdwarner]

no dumb questions here
the actuall size is 2'" by 72" {good analogy a 2by 4}
how about if a bakers dozen is 13 how many is a bakers half dozen? i hope 7
c.

[Jacob]

I have one of the Grizzly grinders. The belts I got from them and the zirconia belts I bought on ebay are about an inch different in length. If you're building a grinder, make sure to give yourself a few inches of easy adjustment.

[EdCaffreyMS]

There was a time when Grizzly advertised their belts (in the catalog and online) as being 2"X76", they have since changed that to read 2" X 72", but it makes me wonder if their still not sending belts out that are longer than 72".

I had some folks in the not too distant past contact complaining that the belts they got from Grizzly were too long for their machines. My response is to tell them to purchase their belts either from Tru-Grit in California, or from Pop's Knife Supply in Georgia. The belts from Grizzly are of questionable quality at best, but the two suppliers I mentioned sell only premium quality abrasives.

There was a time many moons ago when I tried to "save" money by purchasing inexpensive (read cheap) belts, but quickly realized that I was wasting money because it takes 3-4 of the cheap belts to do what one premium quality belt will do.

[Jacob]

I bought a few Grizzly belts with my grinder years ago so that I'd have something to use once it was assembled. Now I buy real belts.

Ebay seller Barbkat (or something similar) was recommended to me and I've been happy with them so far.

[EdCaffreyMS]

If your happy with the belts from the source you mentioned (I tried their belts) you'd be giddy about the belts you'd get from Tru-Grit or Pop's.
When I ordered from Barbkat, I got a full selection so that I would be comparing apples to apples, that was the last time I ordered from them. The belts were not near the quality that I was used to. As with other "bargin" belts, it took 3-4 of them to do the job that one Norton/Klingspoor/3M belt would do. In this case your work will reflect the quality of materials you put into it. With the top quality belts your grinds will be smoother, more even, and just overall nicer, while using fewer belts to accomplish your task.

[Hunterbow Smithy]

I ordered all my belts from Jantz Knife supply as I cannot buy any locally. They carry Klingspoor & 3M belts. I just hope I can get my xxxx grinder assembled so that I can use them.

Chad

[Jmercier]

I cant say enough good things about Pops. I now buy all of my belts for my 2x72 grinder from pops, excelent communication, packing, and speed, and they provide top quality belts.

I only use name brand belts with one exception, my "general hogging belts" i use the pops generic zirconia 50/60 (i forget which) grit belts. I tried the norton blaze belts, and found that while the generic zirconia belts lasted about 50% as long, i got 2.5 belts for the same cost, so it was more economic to go generic for the low grit belts.

[David Jacobson]

I've been using the 3M ceramic belts from Pop's for rough grinding. they last twice as long as zirconia belts.

[Farmer Phil]

OK, I get the quality suppliers and quality brands are the best value in the long run. What I need help with are suggestions for what would be a good basic array or spread of various grits to start with. Thanks, Phil