Grinding belts

[Doc1976]

Just picked up a multitool belt grinder attachment, and was wondering what belt brand/kind everyone likes? Will be using for general metal fab. Cleaning edges before welding and shaping parts. I want something that is going g to last.

 

[tarbellb]

Good brands to keep a eye out for include
3M
Pferd
Klingspor
Sun Gold
Some Norton

A great one stop shop for abrasives is
Lee Valley, generally good prices and higher quality.

 

[dr_clyde]

VSM ceramic in the grit of your choice. I only use these now for pretty much all my coated abrasives. Others don’t last half as long.

 

[lis2323]

Sorry if this is a little off topic but anyone have a link for a good sanding belt self adhesive TAPE?

 

[Alaniho]

VSM Ceramics, 3M Cubitron2 or Norton Blaze are the best types for heavy grinding and lastability.

 

[Lassen Forge]

Norton Blaze but I'll have to try VSM now.

Grit is dependent on what you're using it for - are you sharpening knives, balancing rods,,removing foundry scale off rough iron castings, doing joinery / cabinet woodwork, or making gun stocks?

 

[American Locomotive]

Can confirm that VSM ceramic belts are awesome. They do cost more, but last a lot longer. I'd say the "amount of metal removed per dollar" is probably similar to the cheaper belts, but the reduced hassle of constantly burning through belts makes it worth it.

 

[timgunn1962]

Good belts certainly make a difference. However, it may be rather less pronounced on a typical Multitool conversion (fixed-speed bench grinder, typically 3600 RPM, usually less than 1HP, and IIRC a 5 1/2” drive wheel) than on a typical variable-speed 2x72 with a 2HP motor.

I’d suggest trying a selection of whatever is readily available first and then trying better belts in the grits you use once you’ve narrowed it down a bit.

 

[exmaxima1]

Good belts certainly make a difference. However, it may be rather less pronounced on a typical Multitool conversion (fixed-speed bench grinder, typically 3600 RPM, usually less than 1HP, and IIRC a 5 1/2” drive wheel) than on a typical variable-speed 2x72 with a 2HP motor

Agreed. I have a MT adapter on a 1/2hp Baldor and you certainly can’t lean into it, especially with anything coarser than 80 grit. That said, those blue belts last much longer than aluminum oxide.

 

[Ign]

I was running Norton ZA on my 6x48. Finally decided to try their "import" at half the price and they work better and last longer. This has been true for several years across several orders now.

Then again, Norton is a mixed bag but I've never had a positive Norton experience, be it belts, grinding wheels or cut/chop saw wheels.

 

[Doc1976]

well thanks for all the responses. I got the attachment in the mail today so I will get it installed soon. As far as material goes, it looks like the ceramic is more expensive that others so I'm guessing it is a superior material. I will be using this for small piece fabrication, to just clean up the edges after cutting and forming etc. I build old school style mini bikes, so you can figure the work intended. I just want belts that are going to run smoothly and last. For comparison, I've been working with a little benchtop belt sander designed for wood working, and while its been getting the job done is certainly not the tool for the job.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Another nod to Norton Blaze

 

[Doc1976]

Another nod to Norton Blaze

I looked, but cant find them in a 2 X 36

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I just ordered a few Norton ZA belts last night to try out different grits on a new grinder. Going forward, I'll have to try the Blaze in commonly used grits. They appear to be double the price, so I went cheap until I know what I want.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

I looked, but cant find them in a 2 X 36

ah bummer, I'm 2x48

 

[darkzero]

Many knife makers seem to like Norton Blaze, 3M Cubitron, & Klingspor. I'm not a knife maker & don't have a 2x72. I have a 2x42. I buy my belts from Supergrit. Mostly Deerfos brand (made in Korea) in ceramic & zirconium. I'm happy with them for what I do & they're not expensive.

 

[DGersic]

Just got and set up a MT 2x36 on my old Craftsman bench grinder. A little fussy to get the tracking set up, but it seems to work well now. It came with the obligatory one belt to start you off, now I’m going to need a supply of them. Nothing available locally, so mail order sources only.

Anybody tried Red Label?





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[exmaxima1]

Just got and set up a MT 2x36 on my old Craftsman bench grinder. A little fussy to get the tracking set up, but it seems to work well now. It came with the obligatory one belt to start you off, now I’m going to need a supply of them. Nothing available locally, so mail order sources only.

Anybody tried Red Label?

I use them on my MT adapter and they are fine. Last much longer than standard belts on ferrous metals.