Replies

1. 
   hammer1 | Feb 15, 2008 05:37pm | #1

   I've been using the blue Norton belts. They don't stretch, track the same whether new or old and the grit lasts a long time. Significantly better than ordinary belts.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

1. 
   JamesS | Feb 17, 2008 09:42am | #6

   Hammer     Klingspoor work for me. Only problem, especially on the Performax, is when there is glue in the project, (segmented bowels), which tends to "gum" up the belts, & somtimes "pitch" in cherry or maple cause burn lines.

   James

1. 
   hammer1 | Feb 17, 2008 03:58pm | #7

   Hi James, A bunch of Klingspoor paper came with my Multimaster. Compared to the Norton 3X paper and the blue belts it leaves a lot to be desired. I had to grind down some steel motorcycle parts on one of my blue belts a while ago, a lot of surfacing. Imagine taking a #5 hand plane and grinding a 1/4" off it's sole. That same belt is still going strong enough for woodworking. I've been using the same small piece of 220 3X for a week that involved many hours of hand sanding. It's hard to wear it out. I have no affiliation but I don't buy any other brand of paper now, it's that good.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

1. 
   forestgirl | Feb 17, 2008 06:28pm | #8

   Hammer, was the Klingspor paper you received made specifically for metal?  I have some of the Norton paper that's designed for metal, I can totally imagine how it would last longer for that purpose than a wood-intended paper!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   forestgirl | Feb 15, 2008 07:38pm | #2

   There absolutely are differences.  As Hammer mentions, stretching, grit quality.  Also how well the seam is made.  One good source for everything sanding is Klingspor.  They have more than one level of quality, easily noted.  I always recommend ordering a paper catalog, easier to peruse and see what's what.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
3. 
   andyfew322 | Feb 16, 2008 12:08am | #3

   Hijack alert.

   I was wondering if sanding belts run out as often as regular peices of sand paper, or do you not need to change them as often

    

   Ductape can fix EVERYTHING!!!

1. 
   forestgirl | Feb 16, 2008 07:01pm | #4

   A lot would depend on how you use it.  If you use too much pressure (heating the belt) and don't clean it (with one of those crepe rubber stick things), it's gonna gunk up and die a premature death. forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

4. 
   MrBill | Feb 17, 2008 05:31am | #5

   Greg,

    Although mine is used for metal, I have given up on anything but the Norton belts for my 4x32 sander at the shop. The others just wear out too fast.

   Bill Koustenis

   Advanced Automotive Machine

   Waldorf Md