Custom linisher belts

[fizzy]

Now I have my brilliant Zimmermann profile sander / linisher up and running I need some belts for it.
Width 48mm or possibly 50mm (2"). Length 2650mm or now 2740mm or 108" - I assume it has stretched a bit.
Is this a normal sort of size or custom? Any suggestion where to buy some?

 

[hotponyshoes]

2"x108" is vaguely common as an edge sander size, probably only a stock item in finer grades though.

Pretty much all of the suppliers offer custom lengths although there is usually a minimum quantity of 10 or so (of the same)

Try the custom option on here for fairly typical pricing

Home - BND Abrasives & Tapes Ltd

bndabrasives.co.uk

Other options are find 6" belts the same length and slit them into 3 which works out much cheaper or buy a roll of 2" abrasive and some tape and knock up a jig to cut them

 

[Agroshield]

...and some tape...

Three little words and that is where the difficulty lies. I have seen quite a few discussions over the years asking about the correct product (and process) for joining abrasive belts and none of them ever reach a conclusion or report success or failure of any option chosen.

Do you know any definitive answer to the question of what tape to use?

 

[MetalMonkey]

I think the last time I tried to find a definitive answer, the places that were producing these belts were franchised using some sort of proprietary glue blend of 11 herbs and spices.
I doubt it is anything super special, but probably difficult to find out unless you are in the business. Everything else was various DIY approaches with varying degrees of success and longevity.

I believe its done using connector tape (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Meter-Connector-Tape-Joint-Sanding/dp/B09LDCMYJX) and "special thermal glue" in some sort of hot press machine.
That's as far as I got before I gave up and just bought belts that were the correct length.

Metabo also do some belt repair tape, no idea if it works or is any good at all.

https://www.metabo.com/uk/en/access...tape-for-sanding-belt-adhesion-623530000.html

 

[fizzy]

Can anyone suggest a good all round grade for metal removal? Machine is very fast anyway. Perhaps 80 grit or 60 grit?

 

[hotponyshoes]

For removal, cubitronII in the 36g

 

[fizzy]

For removal, cubitronII in the 36g

Better than zirconia? The belt I used on mine was only 1" wide and at the lower speed setting. It still rounded 36mm thick steel pretty quickly. It is about 80 grit. 36 would be alarming
How rough a finish is 36 grit?

 

[MetalMonkey]

Belts generally go in order of longevity - Aluminium oxide -> Zirconia -> Ceramic
Cubitron is a high end 3M ceramic, so if you are talking about continued fast metal removal rates, it will eat any Zirconia belt's lunch.
The flip side is they are not cheap, so if you want a wide selection of different styles and grits it can get pretty expensive quickly.

 

[hotponyshoes]

/\ this covers what I just popped in to say..

36 leaves surface scratches that can be felt with a fingernail. But material rate is impressive.
It's only the 24g that I'd call alarming..

Depends what you are doing,
If you need to put a radius on the end of a bit of flat bar and leave it in a finished state then 2mins using an 80g might be fine.

If you have 100 bars the same to do 30 seconds each with a 36, 3 minutes to swap the belt, 30secs on a 120g, 3min belt swap, 30secs on a finishing will be a lot quicker overall, cheaper, and a better finish.

May be better alternatives for specific jobs.
For example the trizact belts are very good as well, removal grade of one rate but finish quality of at least a grade higher
Ie, a belt that has the removal rate of a 60g but a surface finish of a 120g
Ideal if you are making a stainless box.
You can grind along the edge which would normally rip a 120g apart but leave the job with a brushed finish matching the rest of the sheet.
They also do a version that can be used wet if you are into knife making or something

 

[Turbo]

As I said in your today I acquired post I have a lot of belts and I'll see if any are the required for your sander.

 

[—Tom—]

BND linked above will be able to advise the best belt for what you typically grind - even cubitron comes in a number of grades with some more suited to hardened materials etc.
60g is a good balance of smooth and quick - 36g definitely feels rougher and so a bit more vibration etc. 24g is when you’ve tried 36 and it’s still taking an age- you then regret it when you’re getting the scratches out.

 

[Agroshield]

I do not know if this is relevant, so treat as an observation and draw your own conclusions.

On my Makita finger sander, the coarser grit belts shed abrasive grit faster than the finer belts.

The finger sander has a very tight radius on the wheel at the end of it, and I suspect this is what contributes to the problem.

Fizzy's grinder appears to have quite a small roller at the top of the fingers. Hence, is there anything written down anywhere about grit size and bending radius of the belt?

Above, everyone is talking grit size independent of the machine on which the belt is mounted. Do we know for sure that you can fit any grit on any size roller? At the least, it could be worth asking a manufacturer for an opinion on this.

 

[hotponyshoes]

I do not know if this is relevant, so treat as an observation and draw your own conclusions.

On my Makita finger sander, the coarser grit belts shed abrasive grit faster than the finer belts.

The finger sander has a very tight radius on the wheel at the end of it, and I suspect this is what contributes to the problem.

Fizzy's grinder appears to have quite a small roller at the top of the fingers. Hence, is there anything written down anywhere about grit size and bending radius of the belt?

Above, everyone is talking grit size independent of the machine on which the belt is mounted. Do we know for sure that you can fit any grit on any size roller? At the least, it could be worth asking a manufacturer for an opinion on this.

Yes, a tighter radius is harder on coarser grits. As the grit size gets bigger the radius of the backing has more effect as it will be trying to peal away from the grit surface bonding.
Also smaller wheels heat up more and that damages the bonding.
Various types of backing are available, some more suitable than others plus better quality/different belts can make a big difference.
Lower speeds for the courser grits helps as well.
Softer

Changing the compound of the contact wheel can help as well.

Few manafactures offer belts courser than 40g. Even fewer below 30g. Obviously big grits have bigger loads on each individual grain so getting them to stick is problematic

You certainly 'can' fit any grit belt onto any size roller (may need to adjust table clearance on linishers)
For a specific job you'll weigh up operation time, surface finish and so on against belt life.
Fir general grinding you can choose between belt life and removal rate and pick one to suit.

Most metal work machines come from the factory with a 60g fitted (wood ones, normally 120g)
High end machines come with nothing.

I regularly sell linishers to farriers and supply them with a 36g cubitron.
Lasts a couple of months, then they ring me asking for a price on replacement belts and hang up.
Then they post up on the forum asking for cheaper belts and get a load of budget recommendations.
Then ring me a couple of weeks later to buy a single cubitron as the cheap ones have only done a week each.
That's a specific application doing a single job so it's been possible to identify the best belt for it.

I'm not sure if the op has a specific job in mind or wants a general purpose belt?
I'm guessing something specific as he's asking about custom belts for a custom size grinder..

 

[fizzy]

As I said in your today I acquired post I have a lot of belts and I'll see if any are the required for your sander.

I need a width of 40 to 44mm.
Length? Belt has 265 written on it. Actually measures 274cm long or 108" but it is loose even at maximum tension. I would guess perhaps 2" shorter or 50mm so a length of 106" or 2690mm perhaps.

 

[hotponyshoes]

Above, everyone is talking grit size independent of the machine on which the belt is mounted. Do we know for sure that you can fit any grit on any size roller? At the least, it could be worth asking a manufacturer for an opinion on this.

I have seen a guide for this somewhere, maybe the dynabrade spare parts catalogue? Got a feeling there is a description of each contact wheel and what they can be used for/with

 

[hotponyshoes]

Finding odd sizes on a Google search can be tricky but it's easy to just order custom ones.
There are 2 or 3 places I use, (one linked above)
I've never waited more than a week for custom belts. Minimum order is 6 (the same) I think which can make it expensive if you want a few different grades.
Prices normally compare to standard/common length belts as well and they'll all do a volume discount if you get into bigger numbers.

 

[minimutly]

I need a width of 40 to 44mm.
Length? Belt has 265 written on it. Actually measures 274cm long or 108" but it is loose even at maximum tension. I would guess perhaps 2" shorter or 50mm so a length of 106" or 2690mm perhaps.

Hmmm, I wonder if I could get an inch belt to run on my bandsaw? Forever swapping blades anyway, just remove the bearing carrier guides, set the speed, away to go. Running out of space to have a proper one..

 

[fizzy]

Hmmm, I wonder if I could get an inch belt to run on my bandsaw? Forever swapping blades anyway, just remove the bearing carrier guides, set the speed, away to go. Running out of space to have a proper one..

I know Startrite offered a band filer option but I have never seen one.

 

[—Tom—]

Belt backing plays a part in the radius it will conform to. J-Flex belts are an example of flexible backing.
It’s worth speaking to BND they’ve always helped me get what I need