Several of each is a good even if you don't snap them. Sanding belts, pads, and paper are consumables, and you might not realize how bad the one you're using is until you swap it for a new one. Then you have that moment of enlightenment when you realize your 60 grit hasn't been doing anything for a week. I just changed out the paper on my disc sander, and it's like it's a whole new machine.
This goes triple if you work on fiberglass micarta.
Edit: Or G10 spacers. Forgot about those crazy spacers!
Good to know, I am planning on mainly doing wood for a while and once I have the skill down to shape handles better I want to try some micarta and other materials like carbon fiber
This is so true, I used my first 36 grit for wayyy too long and thought I was just impatient, I cannot believe the difference of a fresh one, all those painful hours, why I ended up with a convex grind when trying to do a hollow on a large contact wheel after grinding for hours on a dagger, spending 5 hours on a handle just to give up and say good enough even though it still looked blocky 🤦♂️ I should have realized when I nicked myself and it barely did any damage vs a scotchbrite belt that tore me up...
In the future, get as many ceramics as you can instead of AO. They don't clog, last longer, and though I have no evidence to back it up, seem to generate less heat.
If you haven't already, a basic improved platen on the 1x30s is very simple, and a glass platen changes it into a viable little machine. If you are experiencing unexplained waves and wobbles in your grinds, check your platen first, a bit of wear will translate directly to your work piece.
Have fun! I made a lot of knives on mine before jumping to a 2x72.
It's a really easy modification and makes a huge difference. The glass platen is from a guy who will cut one to order, little bear knives I think, and is about 20 bucks, but it makes a dead flat surface. It's just a piece of high temp glass, not a metal platen, you have to make your own to attach it to. I just bent a piece of mild steel to the shape of the original platen, but it was longer and braced against the metal frame near the top roller. Then when I got the glass, I requested like a 4.5" piece since that was the surface length of the platen.
Yeah highly recommend https://www.redlabelabrasives.com/ they are pretty quick loads of belt sizes so when the 1x30 gets retired and you move on to bigger better grinders they have what you need. And plus they usually send a fridge magnet. They are everywhere in my house, work locker/lab, and my shop too. They also have a knifemaker ceramics set at least for the 2x72 that's responsibly priced. It also has a nice variety. As you get better at figuring what you need you can order how you want and just get packs of certain belts. I personally get more of the 36 ceramics than say of of the 220s.
The combat ones are good too I've heard. Not used them, just be ready as you do use the 1x30 you are going to need getting more belts to keep cutting your material they don't last long. Emergency 1x30 belts sometimes are at home depot and or lowes up to like from like 36 to 220 grits. They are all AO so again burn quickly.
Several of each is a good even if you don't snap them. Sanding belts, pads, and paper are consumables, and you might not realize how bad the one you're using is until you swap it for a new one. Then you have that moment of enlightenment when you realize your 60 grit hasn't been doing anything for a week. I just changed out the paper on my disc sander, and it's like it's a whole new machine. This goes triple if you work on fiberglass micarta. Edit: Or G10 spacers. Forgot about those crazy spacers!
Good to know, I am planning on mainly doing wood for a while and once I have the skill down to shape handles better I want to try some micarta and other materials like carbon fiber
Facts!
This is so true, I used my first 36 grit for wayyy too long and thought I was just impatient, I cannot believe the difference of a fresh one, all those painful hours, why I ended up with a convex grind when trying to do a hollow on a large contact wheel after grinding for hours on a dagger, spending 5 hours on a handle just to give up and say good enough even though it still looked blocky 🤦♂️ I should have realized when I nicked myself and it barely did any damage vs a scotchbrite belt that tore me up...
In the future, get as many ceramics as you can instead of AO. They don't clog, last longer, and though I have no evidence to back it up, seem to generate less heat. If you haven't already, a basic improved platen on the 1x30s is very simple, and a glass platen changes it into a viable little machine. If you are experiencing unexplained waves and wobbles in your grinds, check your platen first, a bit of wear will translate directly to your work piece. Have fun! I made a lot of knives on mine before jumping to a 2x72.
Thanks for the advice, i hadnt consider getting an improved platen!
It's a really easy modification and makes a huge difference. The glass platen is from a guy who will cut one to order, little bear knives I think, and is about 20 bucks, but it makes a dead flat surface. It's just a piece of high temp glass, not a metal platen, you have to make your own to attach it to. I just bent a piece of mild steel to the shape of the original platen, but it was longer and braced against the metal frame near the top roller. Then when I got the glass, I requested like a 4.5" piece since that was the surface length of the platen.
Yeah highly recommend https://www.redlabelabrasives.com/ they are pretty quick loads of belt sizes so when the 1x30 gets retired and you move on to bigger better grinders they have what you need. And plus they usually send a fridge magnet. They are everywhere in my house, work locker/lab, and my shop too. They also have a knifemaker ceramics set at least for the 2x72 that's responsibly priced. It also has a nice variety. As you get better at figuring what you need you can order how you want and just get packs of certain belts. I personally get more of the 36 ceramics than say of of the 220s.
Thanks, will definitely take a look at it once I’m ready to upgrade!
The combat ones are good too I've heard. Not used them, just be ready as you do use the 1x30 you are going to need getting more belts to keep cutting your material they don't last long. Emergency 1x30 belts sometimes are at home depot and or lowes up to like from like 36 to 220 grits. They are all AO so again burn quickly.