Need help finding 2"x42" sanding belts

BryFry

BryFry

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Jul 29, 2009
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Hey guys, I just brought home a Craftsman 2x42 sander with 50, 80, and 100 grit belts, and I'm hoping and trying to find more of a selection of belts on line. But I am having no luck finding anything in the 2x42 size!

I'm not that great with computers to begin with, so that may be part of my problem.

I tried google, and I get nothing, except for one place that sells the 80 grit that I already have. :o I tried my best with searching this forum, and I keep reading that people are getting all kinds of stuff from klingspor.com, and truegritabrasives.com..... but when I look on those sytes I can find absolutely NOTHING in the 2" sizes, and I can't even figure out how to select or buy anything that I do see there....

...What am I missing? Do you have to call them, or order a paper catalog or something first, to be able to see their selection or make a purchase?? :confused:

....Could use some help please. :o

-Bryan
 
trugrit.com and supergrit.com
get some ceramics or zirconia belts. AO belts just don't work with metal.
 
BryFry said:
Thanks! That helps!

So, stay away from AO when working with metal, got it! ....but what is: " Gator Structured Abrasive "???
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Everybody who has tried them seems to like Blaze and Gator belts, lots of comments on them here.
 
What about the higher AO grits like 800-1000, for finer sanding and possibly a bit of sharpening??

Is there a better option, because I don't see many higher grits in non-AO??
 
Any suggestions for higher grit belts? Are the 800-1000 AO belts alright for fine sanding/sharpening, or are there better options in high grit 2x42 or 1x42 belts?
 
the belt grinder is mainly for putting in the bevels and finishing up the profile. it is not that useful past, say 400-600 grit, except for leather belts and cork belts (don't murder me if i am missing something :D). hand sanding is the way to go for higher grits, so go to napa or some other auto supply store and look at their sandpaper. my local napa had sandpaper from 80 grit to 1500.
 
The craftsman is too fast to take advantage of finer grits. I like the supergrit 36 grit ceramics, and they sell a 10 pack of 100 or 120 grit AO belts for $12 that are good for handles. I like the gators in 160 and 400 from trugrit. Get a fine scotchbrite/surface conditioning belt while you're at it.
 
jkf96a said:
The craftsman is too fast to take advantage of finer grits. I like the supergrit 36 grit ceramics, and they sell a 10 pack of 100 or 120 grit AO belts for $12 that are good for handles. I like the gators in 160 and 400 from trugrit. Get a fine scotchbrite/surface conditioning belt while you're at it.
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So, do the higher grits tend to burn or something? Why do they not work?

And can anyone tell me anything more about a "finishing belt"? Like is it equivalent to a certain grit of paper, or is it like a Scotchbrite pad or something?

I've been hand filing and hand sanding everything for the last few years, and I'm really starting to hate spending dozens and dozens of hours wearing out my shoulder, and stacks of wet-dry, just to find that I'm still not getting the finish I'd like. So I'd love to be able to make the process a little easier if I can. :)
 
I asked a similar question not too long ago. I was suggested to use leather belts with compound to get a higher grit finish on the 2x42. You can get it almost up to a true mirror finish using the leather belts.

I too did my fine grinding on sandpaper last time, used up to a 3000 grit sandpaper, but thats a lot of rubbing.
 
The ScotchBrite belts won't work on the Craftsman 2x42...at least I couldn't find a way to get them to work. That shroud that covers the wheels is too close to the bottom wheel to allow the thicker ScotchBrite belts to run. I reckon you could remove that shroud and get them to work without much headache, but just saying.
 
BryFry said:
So, do the higher grits tend to burn or something? Why do they not work?

And can anyone tell me anything more about a "finishing belt"? Like is it equivalent to a certain grit of paper, or is it like a Scotchbrite pad or something?
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One problem with high-grit belts is they're usually only available in 2x42 in AO (aluminum oxide) which will wear out very fast when used on steel. If you find Gators higher than A45 (equivalent to 360? 400 or so? something like that), give it a try.

A finishing belt is whatever belt you use last, if you're not going to hand-sand afterwards ;) The guards on the Craftsman are easy to remove/cut away, go for it if you want to try a ScotchBrite or Norton BearTex belt. Lots of folks use those for a good-looking, fairly easy "machine satin" finish that hides scratches from use.

Regardless, the most important part is taking your time and getting the bevels etc smooth and even at the coarser grits. A good FLAT hard platen liner of ceramic, tempered glass or hardened steel helps a great deal. If you're having trouble, stop and go to work draw-filing to get things evened out before you worry about making it shiny.
 
Thanks for the info James, and the rest of you guys!

I'll have to seach on how to rig up a ceramic platen now. :)
 
I can't remember if I used this one or the 6", but this is what I went with for my 2x42 craftsman. Just make sure you get it on so it's straight with the BELT, not just the original platen.
http://www.usaknifemaker.com/ceramic-glass-platen-liner-flat-platen-2x8x-0192-p-1182.html

I get my belts from Trugrit but keep meaning to give supergrit a try.

A gator belt is a particular 3m product line. The important part is that it's a structured adhesive, meaning it's not just randomly applied abrasive on a belt. As the belt wears down it's constantly exposing fresh abrasive in a controlled manner. In theory, if used properly that means that the belt is essentially like new for it's entire useable life. In practice I've found it's not quite that good, but I do get a lot more life out of them than even the other ceramics. The 3M gators also use a block pattern that seems to do a really good job masking the joint, you don't get the same tendency to hop when the joint passes as you do with many other belts on the 2x42's.

If you shop at trugrit, my suggestions are the 36grit zirconia's, 60 grit ceramics, 120 grit ceramic or equivalent gator, then the gators from there to 400 or the new 600 they're offering. In my experience the gator's do a better job for our purposes (at this size) than other options for putting a belt finish on. After that, any other belts you want to try. I like the lighter weight 309J style belts for some work but usually just get them in 120 grit and a very fine grit.
 
ernestrome said:
Copycat in what sense? I have been very pleased with the belts and discs and the customer service I received from www.supergrit.com

Adam do you have the newer 2 wheel 2x42? The scotchbrite belts work ok on the older 3 wheel model.
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I had one of the two wheel designs until it got stolen. Now I have a KMG. Blessing in disguise I reckon.
 
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