Hunterbow Smithy Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 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? :confused: Sorry for such a dumb question. Please try to keep the blows above the belt. Thanks, Chad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdwarner Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacob Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdCaffreyMS Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacob Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdCaffreyMS Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunterbow Smithy Posted November 28, 2007 Author Share Posted November 28, 2007 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jmercier Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Jacobson Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 I've been using the 3M ceramic belts from Pop's for rough grinding. they last twice as long as zirconia belts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Dwyer Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdCaffreyMS Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 I keep the following grit sizes in the shop.... 50 grit (in either a blue zirconia or Norton "Blaze" which is ceramic) 120 grit 220 grit 400 grit 800 grit 1200 grit I also have various other belts that I consider "special purpose" such as scotchbrite belts in 2 different grades, a couple of cloth polishing belts, and a couple of 600 grit cork belts. Belts come with various backings, which equate to different levels of stiffness. The basics of belt backings are as follows: "Y" weight backing: heavy and very stiff, best used for flat or large contact wheel grinding "X" weight backing: slightly lighter than "Y" weight backings, stiff with limited flexibility "J" weight backing: thin, flexibly backing, generally available in 220 and finer grits. This backing can "roll" around contours and works well in tight radius applications and general finish work. There are also variants of these backings, especially on the newer belts like Norax belts. Belt grits and brands are like vehicles.....everybody has their favorite, and some seem to work better than others for specific applications and individuals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 60 ceramic 120 ceramic 220 400 800 1200 papers for hand sanding in 400, 500 600 800 1,200 2,000 2,500 3,000 buffing compound in emery, green abd white rouge. mostly I use 60, 120 220 400 and hand sand to 600, then buff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tribal forge Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 I buy my 2x72 belts from a place in NC and I can also custom order any size belt I want from them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hale Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 Grit in belts needs to work with the buffing compound you will use, some emery compounds are around four hundre grit equivalent,,so if you use belts to 100 then emery you are going backwards. You may want to try a compound at least the equal to the finest belt you will use then go finer buff from there,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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