2" x 48" Metalworking Sanding Belts, 6 PACK

A 2" x 48" belt grinder is the compact version of the bladesmith's 2" x 72", and the same size runs on backstand grinders and 2" x 48" belt/disc combo machines in fab shops. These 2" x 48" metalworking belts are stocked in the grains that machine needs: ceramic for hardened and stainless blade steel, zirconia for carbon steel and general fabrication, Zirconia+ (Grinding Aid) for stainless and aluminum that heats and loads, and Cloth A/O for the 150–600 grit refining and finishing steps.

We convert them in Anaheim, California on heavy X- or Y-weight poly-cotton cloth with a bi-directional butt joint, so they take the speed and pressure of a belt grinder without stretching, tracking off or thumping at the joint. Most run wet or dry, which suits shops with coolant on the grinder. Six belts of one grit per pack.

• Ceramic, zirconia, Zirconia+ (Grinding Aid) and cloth aluminum oxide for 2" x 48" belt grinders
• Bi-directional butt joint runs either way on the grinder with no thump at the platen
• Heavy X/Y-weight poly-cotton cloth handles belt-grinder speed and pressure without stretching
• 24–600 grit: profile and bevel a blade, then refine it, on one machine
• Poly-cotton backing runs wet or dry for coolant-equipped grinders; 6 belts per pack
• Converted in Anaheim, California; free shipping on orders over $200

Which grain should you run on a 2" x 48" belt grinder?

A belt grinder gives you the pressure and rigidity that self-sharpening grains need, so ceramic and zirconia both earn their keep here. Pick by steel and by stage.

• Ceramic: the orange-red belt for hardened and high-alloy blade steels, stainless, tool steel and nickel alloys. Sol-gel grain fractures continuously and holds a near-constant cut rate from first pass to last, then dies fairly abruptly. It wants firm pressure and a grinder with real power; profile and hog bevels with it at 36–60, set bevels at 80–120.
• Zirconia: the general fabrication belt for carbon and mild steel, cast iron, weld cleanup and tool sharpening. Self-sharpens under moderate-to-heavy pressure. Offered 24–120; better value than ceramic on soft steel and for occasional work.
• Zirconia+ (Grinding Aid): zirconia with a grinding-aid top coat over the aid in the resin. The coating lowers heat and stops loading, so it is the belt for stainless, aluminum, titanium and thin edges on a dry grinder. If you do not run coolant, this is your stainless belt.
• Cloth A/O: heat-treated aluminum oxide, forgiving at light pressure. The grain for brass, bronze and aluminum, and for every 150, 180, 220, 320, 400 and 600 grit belt in this listing, which is where the coarse bevel scratch comes out before hand sanding, cork or a buff.

Zirconia and ceramic above 120 grit give a bright, shallow scratch, not a finish; refine on Cloth A/O, then a non-woven or cork belt.

Grit sequence for blades, tools and fabrication on a 2" x 48"

A typical blade goes 36 ceramic, 60 ceramic, 120 ceramic or zirconia, then 220, 400 and 600 Cloth A/O, never skipping more than one grade. On aluminum start at 60 or 80 with the grease stick or the grinding-aid belt and finish at 120–220 Cloth A/O.

What machines does a 2" x 48" belt fit?

• 2" x 48" belt grinders: the smaller knife-making and tool-room grinders built around this belt length, including compact variable-speed machines and shop-built grinders.
• Backstand grinders set up for a 2" x 48" belt, used for deburring and polishing castings, forgings and small fabricated parts.
• 2" x 48" belt and disc combination sanders and bench belt sanders that list this size.

Check the belt length in your machine's manual; 2" x 42", 2" x 60" and 2" x 72" grinders look alike and each needs its own length. The butt joint is bi-directional, so the belt runs either way where the machine allows; look inside for a printed arrow anyway and follow it if present. Tension the belt, spin it by hand and adjust tracking to centre it on the platen and contact wheel before switching on. Odd lengths for imported or home-built grinders are made to order in about 3 days.

How to get the most out of it

1. Give ceramic and zirconia pressure. Both grains only stay sharp while they micro-fracture under load. If the belt goes shiny and the cut slows on hardened steel, press harder or the belt is glazing, not worn out.
2. Keep the edge cool. Dip the blade in water between passes, use a fresh belt for thin edges and the final grits, slow the grinder if it is variable speed, and stop the instant colour appears. A blued edge has lost its temper.
3. Grind edge-trailing on the fine grits, spine first with the edge pointing away from belt travel, so the belt cannot grab the apex.
4. Use the platen for flat bevels and the contact wheel for hollow grinds; the slack section between them follows curves and blends plunge lines.
5. Slow down for aluminum and brass. Drop belt speed, rub a grease stick on the running belt and use the grinding-aid or Cloth A/O belts so the grain does not load.
6. Run coolant if your grinder has it. The poly-cotton backing tolerates wet running; a drip or mist keeps stainless and titanium cool and clears swarf.
7. Collect dust safely and store belts flat or hanging. Steel and wood dust must never share a collector; use a metal-rated or wet collector. Keep spare belts hanging or loosely rolled, dry and out of sunlight, and warm cold belts before running.

Use it for / don't use it for

Use it for

• Profiling, bevel grinding and finish grinding knives in carbon, stainless and tool steel
• Deburring and blending castings, forgings and laser-cut parts on a backstand grinder
• Sharpening and reshaping chisels, plane irons, axes, mower blades and lathe tools
• Weld cleanup and general steel fabrication on a 2" x 48" combo sander
• Aluminum and non-ferrous work with the grinding-aid and Cloth A/O belts
• Wood, horn and handle material with the Cloth A/O belts

Don't use it for

• Finishing with ceramic or zirconia above 120 grit; switch to Cloth A/O, then non-woven or cork
• Grinding thin edges dry until they change colour
• Sharing a collector between wood dust and steel sparks
• Grinders that take a 2" x 42", 2" x 60" or 2" x 72" belt; measure first

Specifications

Frequently asked questions

Related products and guides

• 2" x 48" RPM Neil Bladesmith Kit (mixed grits for knife makers)
• 2" x 48" Surface Conditioning Belts for satin finishing
• 2" x 60" Metalworking Sanding Belts, 6 pack
• All knife making belts and kits
• Custom sanding belts made to order in about 3 days