Leather belt on a belt sander

Fish30114

Fish30114

Joined
Jan 5, 2014
Messages
1,495
I have a leather belt on a 1x42 belt sander I have and it is simply awesome at putting that hair popping final edge on a blade. I am wondering what it is doing?? I have several strops and often use then to good effect, but the leather belt just takes knives I can't get there through usual stropping to that awesome edge. I am having issues with this belt stretching to much, I am considering ordering a 1x30 version for a retired belt sander I have--a dremel that I long ago retired but think it would be great if dedicated to a leather belt...
Looking for input on what the leather belt is actually doing for me, all I know is the finished result is awesome!
 
Its refining the edge. The belt will stretch if you leave it on the sander. I've had leather belts for a long time and they haven't stretched significantley enough that I need to replace them.
 
Pjwoolw, I did in fact leave the leather belt on my machine for about 5 weeks--I didn't realize that it would stretch them so significantly, which is a shame since it is really easy to take a belt off of my machine, it's a Burr King, and that is the problem Foxhunter2, it only has a range of adjustment with a built in ratcheting system.

Thanks for the feedback folks.
 
I use a 30" Surgi Sharp leather belt with white compound on a cheapo Harbor Freight sander.
It definitely took my sharpening to a new level. It delivers incredible edges.
 
boring said:
hello ftr, what model harbor freight sander do you have?
Click to expand...

Its the 1"x 30" model without the disk.; It runs about $40.
I hear people complain about the quality but I have had nothing but good luck with it.
It is perfect for my sharpening and minor modifications. If you plan on grinding blanks and making knives I would look for something better..
 
Thanks FTR. I want one to sharpen knives on. The only ones I saw there had belt support, does that pose a problem for convexing the edge?
 
Thanks FTR. I want one to sharpen knives on. The only ones I saw there had belt support, does that pose a problem for convexing the edge?
 
your belt is stropping the edge, just like a hanging strop does to a straight razor.
 
You can loosen the screws and slide it back out of the way.
Practice on a few inexpensive knives until you get the hang of it.
Once you get it figured out you can put a razor sharp edge on anything with a blade.

Contact me when you pick one up and I'll help you with belt selection and keeping a consistent angle.
 
Thanks guys. posted question from a refresh a while ago before the last response. thanks for the tip and offer. will have to swing by harbor freight.
 
that hf belt sander, did that have the disc on it also or without? thanks again.
 
As for why it's yielding better results for you, it may just be the speed at which your sander is moving the belt. A few seconds on a constantly moving, flat belt would equal many many normal strokes.
You also have the opportunity to focus more on the proper angle because the machine is doing the physical work for you. Without having to deal with a stroke and holding the right angle you have less inconsistencies.
$ 0.02
 
n7titan, that's a good insightful thought, hadn't thought of it that way. Increased frequency vs my regular strops--may be why it does so well. I haven't used mine on the machine with compound, just naked leather, but I can see where with compound it would accomplish even more, I can definitely get a knife to another level of sharpness with the powered belt. I am gonna have to purchase another one because of the stretching mine is experiencing, but as I mentioned I may just dedicate my old Dremel 1x30 machine to dedicated leather belt duty.

Good input folks. Regards--Don
 
Don,
I was wondering what grit is the last belt you use before going to leather?

I find going to 600 or 800 then leather gives me a nice working edge that is shaving sharp with good bite.
 
I try not to leave any belt on any of my grinders, especially a leather belt. My 1"x42" leather has stretched a bit over time (2yrs) I use it several times a week after a 9 micron.
 
FTE, I go to the leather belt after various stages of sharpening, typically after my various stones, progressing up through a fine diamond benchstone. with belts, I am typically up to the 800 grit or so on my Ken Onion Worksharp, then onto the leather belt. My leather belt takes almost any knife up to that super hair POPPING level. It is better than anything else I have tried, including kangaroo leather loaded with various CBN solutions down to .5 micron level.
 
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