Diamond Belt Question

[Taogem]

I use Silicon Carbide for all my sanding.

I am thinking of purchasing one particular grit diamond belt for a final sanding prior to polishing.

Presently my finest grit of Silicon Carbide is a 600. Although following that, I do go to a rather worn 600 just prior to polishing.

If it would even help, what one single grit diamond belt might I add following the worn 600 Silicon Carbide and just prior to polishing.

Can't afford a whole series of diamond belts like some members are using, so just wondered if this sound like something that may help a bit?

Still not having a lot of success with diamond pastes, but that is a different topic.

 

[Steel and Stone]

Well I'm no major authority on this subjsect seeing only have 10 months under my belt but I would say a 1200 Diamond belt would work just fine.

All of my wheels are diamond;  80 and 200 brazed wheels and then 400, 600, 1200, 3000 diamond belts and then 8000, 14,000, 50,000 paste on a poly-tex pad.

After you get to 1200 on the diamond belt the finish is pretty nice.
If your want to try some diamond belts but don't have a ton of dough try the new 3M Diamond Microfinishing  belts.
I don't like them quite as well as a full resin coated belt buy they work well. In fact I have a 400, 600, and 1200 on my machine right now. The only draw back is they will move on you a little if you push too hard: but on the bright side they only cost $13.00 for 6" x 1-1/2"

You can get them from Rio.
I just ordered a 320, 400, and 600 Eastwind full resin coat. I'll let you know how they are.

[Taogem]

Well right off the bat you were a big help. I had not heard the word or product name of "poly-tex pads".

This has been the glitch in my attempts to use diamond pastes.

I have been trying different pastes on separate 4" flat discs with soft leather adhered to them for each diamond paste grit.

These poly-tex pads may be a big tip for successful use and application of the pastes.

Plus...... The pastes I have were given to me. Some seemed to not want to break down in water, and some did not want to bread down with the extender.

Seems to be a connection to this problem between the ones made in China. They just don't seem to break down using the extender, but do break down (dissolve) in water.

So I found myself trying a multiple of techniques with both water, extender, China and American made pastes.

Crazy huh.. ??

I could not get a real good look at the pads shown at Kingsley.

I will probably be adhering these with a spray glue or something to a padded flat disc?

What diameter do you like using?

Seems like maybe a smaller would not spread and waste a lot of paste. That was why I tried the 4".

I use Zam for some things and really like the use of the cotton wheels. Do you or anyone else use these type of cotton or any other type of pad where the paste would be applied to the outside of the wheel as compared to the flat side using something like these poly-tex pads?

Thanks for the link and for the info on pricing through Rio. YOur sure right... The price is right..

One of our other members (BlarneyStone) did comment the other day that he thought some of his problems were related to the 3M.

One last thing..... I wonder if there is something besides the belt that might be causing your belts to move on you. I have the same problem on one of my expando wheels. But just the one. Not so sure it is the belt. Thinking it has something to do with the drum.

Thanks for the info Phil 

[Steel and Stone]

The poly tex pads are the black ones and that is all I use. I tried some of the other pads but was not happy with the results.
I use 6" because that is what my machine came with when I bought it. As for the 3M belts I do not like them as well as a full rein coat but I figured I would give them a try and for the money they work but I like the more expensive belts without a doubt. As for it being my drum; it is not. No other belts move around like the 3M ones.  They are fine for awhile but the backing is so thin I think they end up streching just a little. I modified my GP-6 and now run 3 expandos on there and the two brazed wheels on an old refubed Framton.

If you are just going to get one belt I would say go with the better full rein coat in a Eastwind, Crystalite, or raytech. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. I tried Alum. Oxide, and silicon carbide Belts  and went right back to my old diamond belts. I still use the Alum. Oxide for sanding silver sometimes but you can't beat the speed and ease the diamond belts cut at.