Anyone have any experience with running both zirconia and ceramic belts back to back?


Im looking to see if the ceramic belts are worth the extra $ over zirconia.
Zirconia for my sander is $27each, ceramic are $37 each.. so its quite the jump-not sure if the ceramic offer that much of a jump in longetivity and performance.

thanks,
Matt

 

I only have a 12 inch sander, but by comparison the ceramic works great for stainless. Sucks for aluminum. Seems to load up quick.

 

thanks for the input.

The belts I am looking at have a lubricant to keep aluminum from loading. Im not sure how long that will last, but I guess I will find out.

The supplier mentioned that normal orders are 10 belt minimum but I talked them into getting me a split (5 of each) so I will be able to comment a little more in a week or two once the belts are made. the 6x89 belts are made to order.

I hope that the Aluminum Oxide belt lasts through one manifold/downpipe until these belts get in.

 

we gets belts from here for our 6x89 sander. really cheap and they will make custom belts if you need them.

www.supergrit.com

 

Use a cheap candle on the belt for aluminum. Saw this on welding tips and tricks dot com. Seems to help and smells nice too

 

The ceramic belts are suppose to help with not over heating materials such as stainless

 

I use the expensive belts, they handle the heat better and last alot longer for me. Also it was stated to use a candle on the belt before sanding, there is actually sanding lube made for this, Ive used it before on some industrial stuff, made the belt last even longer and sanded real nice, I just dont use it as it gets in my weld area.

http://www.grainger.com/product/1MKN...140107231414:s

 

My distributor said that I need to buy 10 minimum of whatever belt I want... no mixing grits, etc.

My one time deal was to get 6 of each to do a little testing.


I would use supergrit, but Im from Canada and the shipping/down time isn't going to cut it.

 

My metal supply guy that I use for small off cuts recommended I use something like this for my band saw on aluminum and tube instead of using a coolant...

again... living in Canada If I turn the heat off for a week that Im not going to be in the shop, it would likely freeze.

 

For lubricant we use a product called stick wax, it's commonly available anywhere you buy belts. We buy the 36 grit zirc belts. Never tried ceramic.

 

I just picked up my order. split between zirconia and ceramic belts.
Both have the same lubricant applied, so it should be a good test.


The zirconia belts seem (with finger pressure) like they are less adhesive to the belt and will be more likely to loose the gritiness compared to the ceramic which seems very well bonded. though that's just a visual impression without opening the band holding it together.

Both belts are 36 grit. I will be able to comment on their comparative performance in the near future. though they both look like they will shred metal.

the industrial supply shop that I bought them from said that they have been selling a lot of the ceramics to local machine shops, and haven't sold any of the zirconia belts... so that must mean something.