New Tool

[My_Teenage_Self]

There’s such a bewildering choice, which ones do I need?

If it's for making knives, and you've not used anything like this before, the 'shredder' belts are great for rough shaping, followed by the Hermes RB belts for finishing. A 30 grit belt is a right laugh, and you'll be shocked at how quickly it can remove metal (and skin, flesh, bone etc) but you need to apply a decent amount of pressure that may stall the machine.

for starters, I'd get some 80 & 120g shredders and 240 & 320g Hermes. Other belts can be even better, but these are great budget options.

As I said, anything over 400 is totally pointless without speed control. I may have some old Trizact belts lying around if you want to really pull your hair out

 

[My_Teenage_Self]

I wouldn't be without my 2x72" now - possibly my most used tool (still being built when this pic was taken)

 

[Pond frog]

I wouldn't be without my 2x72" now - possibly my most used tool (still being built when this pic was taken)

View attachment 423044

That’s a nice looking machine did you build it yourself?

 

[MattF]

Anything above 400g tends to be a bit useless - these simply run too fast and end up scorching wood or overheating thin metal.

Depends how you use them. If you're using that grit or above, you're not going to be leaning into it. They're finishing grades. A light touch.

 

[My_Teenage_Self]

That’s a nice looking machine did you build it yourself?

Yes, albeit from a laser cut kit

Depends how you use them. If you're using that grit or above, you're not going to be leaning into it. They're finishing grades. A light touch.

I appreciate that, and they work well on carbon steel until you're working very fine edges.

 

[Parm]

I have one, it's great. Really good tool. Eats through metal just fine, and good for sharpening tungstens too. The kind of thing you wonder how you ever lived without it.

Have a look for ceramic belts, they last much longer.

Throw some recommendations at me

 

[Mick Annick]

Threads like this need a PG rating so I know that if I look I may end buying more stuff that I don’t really need.

 

[optima21]

I've had the machine mart version of one of them for over 10 years now and use it instead of a bench grinder, and changed the grinding disc for a diamond coated cup wheel for sharpening carbide tipped lathe tools

 

[roofman]

Very good choice Parm for your needs....this is something i need in my life too one day

 

[Moose McAlpine]

Threads like this need a PG rating so I know that if I look I may end buying more stuff that I don’t really need.

You do need one, you just didn't know it.

 

[Moose McAlpine]

Throw some recommendations at me

These are the ones i bought:

Pardon our interruption...

I think i bought 80g and 120g, both in ceramic. Really good seller. I find the belts last really well too. I use this seller for the finger sander belts too.

I did also buy a bunch of 80-320g belts but can't find the listing.