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Tool Time Let's talk shop. Equipment, Tips & Tricks, Safety issues - Post it here.

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  #1  
Old 12-26-2008, 11:40 PM
willied2111 willied2111 is offline
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make your own belts cheep

I thought that since I have learned so much from the great people on this forum( I dont post much but I read a lot), I would pass on something I learned today. If you have a 1x42 (or 1xanything really) you can buy 50 yard rolls of sand paper at harbor freight. they are a little thin and break easily but if you back them with gorilla tape they hold up pretty well. I used gorilla tape to hold them together too(for now). I am still experimenting with what works best to keep them from breaking where I join them but the gorilla tape holds fairly well, and for $7 a roll cant go wrong. They only have 80, 180, and 240 grit that I saw. I did the math and you can get 42 belts our of a roll for a 42in grinder thats about $100 worth of belts for $7 + the tape. (Math is not my strong subject so dont shoot me if thats wrong.) Also if anyone has any ideas on how to make the joint stronger I would like to hear them.
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  #2  
Old 12-27-2008, 12:02 AM
SIXFOOTER SIXFOOTER is offline
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I don't want to rain on your parade here, but I have had nothing but bad luck with HF sand paper. Several grits and sizes, all crap.
But I have not tried the rolls, had the same thought as you too since I am cheap.
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  #3  
Old 12-27-2008, 09:09 AM
Craig B. Craig B. is offline
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I don't want to discourage you from experimenting but people have tried different times for many years to make their own belts. I've never seen anyone do it with much success and after a time of trying they always go back to buying belts. Cheaper is not always better as I have found out many times in the knife business.

But, if you have continued good luck with it then report that so we will all know


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  #4  
Old 12-27-2008, 09:25 AM
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Ray Rogers Ray Rogers is offline
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I agree with the others that you may be headed for a dead end. Still, we don't learn anything new if we don't move outside the box once in a while.

The quality of the HF sand paper is the main problem but high quality sand paper is available in rolls too. Check out MSC and see what you can find. You'll probably have to spend some real money to get a roll of paper that will do what we need to do on metal but it should still be cheaper than buying belts. The next problem will be that it's cheaper and works almost as well as professional belts but after you factor in the time it takes to make the belts you probably won't be saving much ........


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  #5  
Old 12-27-2008, 08:30 PM
Frank Niro Frank Niro is offline
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Good sandpaper if you figure is sold by the square inch belts included. Frank


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  #6  
Old 12-28-2008, 04:56 AM
caseynz caseynz is offline
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i made myself a leather belt for my grinder.its pretty good for stropping the edges and final polishing.
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  #7  
Old 12-28-2008, 05:03 PM
willied2111 willied2111 is offline
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I have not had a chance to do more testing. I know that it may not be as good as other other sand paper but if it lasts 1/3 as long I will still be saving money. (I think maybe !!)
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  #8  
Old 12-28-2008, 06:36 PM
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Geno Geno is offline
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I am all for nursing a nickel, but belts are NOT the place to skimp.
I remember many days layed up after accidents, before "safety" became a priority in my shop.
If I could save anyone that misery...
Belts can do a lot of damage when they break, not to mention the hurt!!!
ER minus new wheel, plus two weeks off for hand to heal...a lesson a had to learn more than once (I'm ahsamed to admit).
Pinch a penny till it screams, but don't get hurt doing it, OK?
QUALITY belts pay for themselves and do most of the work for you.
Cheap abraisives can cost a lot in the long run, be safe.
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  #9  
Old 01-31-2009, 07:03 PM
michaellovett michaellovett is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Geno
I am all for nursing a nickel, but belts are NOT the place to skimp.
I remember many days layed up after accidents, before "safety" became a priority in my shop.
If I could save anyone that misery...
Belts can do a lot of damage when they break, not to mention the hurt!!!
ER minus new wheel, plus two weeks off for hand to heal...a lesson a had to learn more than once (I'm ahsamed to admit).
Pinch a penny till it screams, but don't get hurt doing it, OK?
QUALITY belts pay for themselves and do most of the work for you.
Cheap abraisives can cost a lot in the long run, be safe.
Listen to Geno! He speaks the truth. I would add that you can't do high quality work with low quality tools.

Mike
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  #10  
Old 02-01-2009, 10:52 PM
mdagley mdagley is offline
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Listen to Geno! Cutting cormers on belts can HURT you!!

A few years ago I thought I'd save a few pennies and bought some cheap belts form an Ebay seller (Discount Abarsives???). The third belt I used snapped at the seam without warning, caught the blade I was flat grinding and slammed it into my chest directly over my heart. It hit so hard that it put me on the ground, cut my shirt and chest. It phucking hurt!!
Fortunately it hit edge on, had it hit point on it would have killed me.
When I complained to the seller about the quality of their belts, I got a "oh, well" kind of answer. They did not care about anyting but making a sale.

I WILL NEVER TRY TO CUT CORNERS ON BELTS AGAIN!!!

-Mike-


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  #11  
Old 03-04-2009, 10:47 PM
willied2111 willied2111 is offline
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Quote:
Listen to Geno
I wish I would have. I wish I would have read that before . But I am gonna have a cool scar to remind me of the time I didnt listen to Geno.(It worked fairly well till it broke and left me with a knife blade stickin out of my arm.) I will listen to Geno from now on.
People do not try to make your own belts its painful.
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  #12  
Old 03-05-2009, 07:56 AM
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Bill Vining Bill Vining is offline
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Saving a few pennies is not always the way to go. Using cheaper belts actually cost more in the long run. They wear out much faster and you compromise your safety.

Geno is spot on.


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  #13  
Old 03-06-2009, 12:10 PM
Frank Niro Frank Niro is offline
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Quality sanding belts have so much to do with the results you get. Sharper corners and cleaner work are the results from quality belts. If you are new to grinding you may not see this. Frank


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  #14  
Old 03-07-2009, 06:27 PM
cliff fendley cliff fendley is offline
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Use good belts like they are free and your work will show it.
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  #15  
Old 03-11-2009, 05:08 PM
Al Polkowski Al Polkowski is offline
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The sound of a home made belt........."BUMP....BUMP.....BUMP"

Al P
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