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

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  #1  
Old 12-01-2003, 08:41 AM
Frank J Warner Frank J Warner is offline
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Splitting grinding belts

I'm thinking of splitting 2x72" grinding belts to use with the slack belt attachment on my KMG grinder. Split them to 1" wide or so to use in places that are a little too tight for a 2" belt.

Has anyone ever tried this? See any problems (with tracking, etc.), safety issues?

-Frank J Warner


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Old 12-01-2003, 10:25 AM
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Mike Hull Mike Hull is offline
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It should work fine. I split belts down to 1/2" on occasion, and don't have any problems running them.


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  #3  
Old 12-01-2003, 10:31 AM
Darren Ellis Darren Ellis is offline
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Hi Frank,

It works fine, and as Mike said, I've split them down to 0.25" on the slack belt attachment too. Also, when using the flat platen to hog material, you can split the belts to 0.5" and hog off at an angle near the edge of the platen...this saves on belt costs in the long run and works well.



-Darren


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  #4  
Old 12-01-2003, 11:29 AM
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Don Halter Don Halter is offline
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How do you split one evenly?


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  #5  
Old 12-01-2003, 11:38 AM
Darren Ellis Darren Ellis is offline
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For 0.5" I bought a jig from Sheffields... for 0.25", just split the butt splice with a razor knife in a straight fashion and rip...they've always ripped straight for me...I probably should have saved my money on that jig, but you know what they say about hind sight!

-Darren


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Old 12-01-2003, 01:55 PM
Jason Cutter Jason Cutter is offline
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I just tried on some belts so I could keep using a fresh "edge." It went 50:50. 1/2 split dead straight. the other half split slightly off centre and started to "spiral" as I tore it up. Easy enough to cut with a tin-snipper to true it up. Just a word of caution - if the butt splice looks like it has even 1% play in it, leave it alone ...

This is a great way to save especially on those fine grit belts. Jason.


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  #7  
Old 12-01-2003, 04:44 PM
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Don Cowles Don Cowles is offline
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Here's a few pictures of the belt splitter I made. It uses a blade from a utility knife, and I clamp it into a woodworking vise and just pull the belt through it. Works like a charm.

The base is a slab of maple bandsawed halfway through the middle. I used a carriage bolt to compress the slot and lock the blade in place.

The sideboards happen to be of plexiglas, but I guess any material would do to keep the belt centered.

Top view



Side view



This shot shows how I clamp the splitter in the vise for use.



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Last edited by Don Cowles; 12-01-2003 at 05:01 PM.
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  #8  
Old 12-01-2003, 06:20 PM
Frank J Warner Frank J Warner is offline
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Great looking jig, Don. I can whip one of those up in a few minutes. Shouldn't be too difficult to make it adjustable for varying widths, too!

Thanks for all the replies. This looks like an idea worth investigating further.

-Frank J Warner


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  #9  
Old 12-01-2003, 07:33 PM
Darren Ellis Darren Ellis is offline
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Sheesh Don, where were you before I spent my $50 on a belt splitter! That is a great tool, simple as can be, I think even I can build one! Thanks for posting those pictures!



-Darren


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  #10  
Old 12-02-2003, 12:06 AM
Frank Niro Frank Niro is offline
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Don, Is it true that you only use the K.I.S.S. principal? Frank
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  #11  
Old 12-02-2003, 09:08 AM
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Geno Geno is offline
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Now that's a neat little jig Don.
I like kewl tools.

I remember dipping the tip of a sword one day, it hit the middle of the running belt and I had two belts very quickly, both traveling the same speed.:confused:
OUCH! :cool:
Your way seams easier and a lot safer too.
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