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[grepper]

Forgot to speak to your belt quandary in my previous reply above.

I really like the 150 Cubitrons.  They are nice and sharp, cut well and last a really long time while maintaining a consistent grit level.  Some of that longevity is probably because the belt is so coarse only light pressure is required for sharpening.  I also enjoy the even way they feel when grinding.  It's my go-to belt for a toothy edge.

https://www.rshughes.com/p/3M-Cubitron-7...111_67951/

That said, it's just a 150 grit belt.  I'm sure that other belts in the 180 - 150 grit range will also work.  I've used, and I know other folks like the ceramic Deerfos belts.  Supergrit has 'em in both 150 and 180 grit about 1/2 way down this page:

DEER JS 997 Blue Ceramic J-Flex Cloth Belts
https://www.supergrit.com/products/produ...ts-ceramic

150 grit AO belts would work, but are more friable and don't last as long before starting to smooth as Cubitron or ceramic belts do.

Belts, and the way the cut and feel while grinding seem to a matter of personal choice.  A lot of people like  the Trizacts or Gators or whatever.  I think it's a matter of experimenting to see what belts work best for you.

[tyee]

Thanks for the tips! I can't find out on that rshughes site whether they ship to Canada. I have to add my Visa card first, and I'm not doing that, they don't mention international shipping, hmm. I will try to find a ceramic belt locally first then. I'm waiting for confirmation on the SB belts also. PM me with info on your guide for the Kally!

[grepper]

RS Hughes says, "We ship worldwide."

RS Hughes ships to Canada:
https://www.rshughes.com/locationfinder/#q=canada

It's stupid that you would have to add your credit card info first, but they are a reputable and large business. Personally, I would have no reservations providing them with credit card info, etc.

[tyee]

Great, missed that page! Kent, WA, the coronavirus just started showing up in Seattle!

[grepper]

Yup. The COVID-19 thing is even affecting general shop operations because dust masks are becoming almost impossible to find. Woodworking businesses or any business that depend on a regular replenishment of masks are basically screwed, and it appears that the situation will continue for the foreseeable future.

It's interesting to watch how it's evolving. I've posted about it through the lens, or should I say filter of dust masks.
http://bessex.com/forum/showthread.php?t...13#pid5213

[EOU]

Our two cents on the topic - noticed on one of the Sunday morning tv news shows that Azar with HHS is saying that they are redirecting  corona appropriate mask sales to medical providers  and, by process of deduction, away from individual and industrial users.

[tyee]

OK, my local supplier can get the Klingspor blue or gray SB belts - https://onlinesupply.ca/index.php?route=...2%20nbs820

Which one to get. I took my platen off my Kally and don't know where it is so I may have a hard time softening the blue one, maybe I should get the gray??

Minimum order is 5, so I better pick the right one!

[blgentry]

The Blue scotchbrite is the "very fine", while the Gray is "super fine".  Kingspoor seems to be using the same words (very fine and "ultra fine") to describe their blue and gray belts respectively.

I have not tried deburring with the gray belt.  But I have done nearly every blade using the blue and it worked quite well.

They are both kinda nice to have for polishing things, but if you were only going to get one, I would recommend the blue.

When Grepper gets the KallyRest ready for consumer shipping, ordering, packaging, etc, it might be attractive to you.  It has a nice platen in addition to it's angle guide section.  I've also removed the factory platen from my kally.

Brian.

[tyee]

Ok, thanks, I'll order the blue. Yes, grepper sent me all the info last night about the Kallyrest. It looks very nice. I was wondering how it would be made to wrap around to the front if someone decided to do it. I'm still trying to decide.

[grepper]

I'd recommend the blue ones too.  It's not totally necessary to break them in first.  They soften up naturally with some use.  

Use a light touch until you get used to how they work. Especially when the belts are new it feels and sounds like it's beating the crap out of the edge but surprisingly, when using light pressure it does not.  The idea with S-B is not to grind a new edge but just to grab onto the burr and lift it from the bevel.  Once that happens it seems to do a good job of grabbing the burr, slicing it up and removing most of it.  Once most of the burr is gone I generally switch to leather to clean up any remaining dregs.

Like I've said before deburring with S-B does take parctice and it seems every blade is different.  Some are easier to deburr than others.  

For learning I'd suggest using a beater blade you don't care about.  Sharpen it with pretty heavy pressure (yuck, yikes)  so as to create a big old nasty gnarly burr.  Then play with the S-B.  Experiment with pressure and angle of attack.  Use light pressure at sharpening angle, one pass each side and then examine the blade to check the results.  Try just barely touching the edge at 45°.  Constantly check the progress.  Try more pressure at sharpening angle.  Play with it and experiment.  See what works and what does not.  With S-B practice makes perfect.  It's just that kind of a thing.  You'll get it figured out.

I'd be very interested to hear about your progress.