2x72 Belts? **Where/from whom???**

[Bobby Urban]

**Lin - or whomever - where are you ordering from?  Crazy as it seems I get to googleing and there are just so many options?  Is there someone you prefer, for any reason.  Know them, like them, good business, etc..

Also, I have a 1x42 Kalamazoo with a 1/3hp Balder that I am fabing up a sharping jig on.  Is a leather belt a good choice for final edge polish with rouge or should I go with cork?  Any sugestions?  


I am trying to stay out of the heat today and was hoping that a little belt shopping would be in order but I realize there are too many options and it is cost prohibitive to do the research on my own when I have such a great reource here.  My question:

Can you all tell me or provide me an array of common belts you are useing on your grinders with Make and grit(s) to purchase with the idea of going from forged blade or billet to knife?

I currently have some but need to purchase more and upgrade my stash.  I also understand the most expensive thing in knife making is "cheap Belts" so what belts offer quality/value and where can I get the most bang for my buck??  I am looking to spend in the 2-300 range for a decent stash.

thanks

[Lin Rhea]

I just ordered a few myself.

10 Cubitron 977-36 grit by 3M
25     "     " - 60 grit
(The Blaze belts are good too in these grits)

10 each Klingspor yellow J-flex in 120, 220, and 320
 
The Trizac 65's are good for smoothing things up and getting it ready to hand sand.

[Bobby Urban]

Thanks Lin - big help

[kbaknife]

I've found that at the coarse grits, it doesn't seem to matter much to me, anyway, at the 36 or 60 grit range.
It's after that where things become 'important'.
As important as the belts are the platens and variable speed grinders.
My most important belt upgrade has been to the Gator 300A, which equates to an 80 grit regular belt.
Even though they're about 8 dollars, I'm now on my 9th blade with the same belt, whereas, prior to this I was using a new 120 on practically every blade!!
So, you are correct, cheap belts are VERY! expensive.