Someone here, I have forgotten who, recommended the inexpensive Harbor Freight belt sander a week or so ago for preping guides and I would like to thank them and recommend it for anyone who has to prep a lot of guides. I went by Harbor Freight and bought one along with several extra belts for about $50 and am very happy with the purchase. It only takes about 10 seconds to grind down a guide and I have also already found several other uses for it. Whoever it was that recommended it, thank you. The only problem with it is that it cuts so fast that care much be exercised so as not to grind down too much of the guide foot.

Hi Emory,

Do you really find it easier than the 3 1/2" grinder? I looked at the belt sander but the grinder solved both my grinding and polishing step problems.

Both are superior to using the dremel, which was my method before.

Terry

The article in RodMaker showed the use of a belt sander along with some tips on what to buy and how to use to best advantage. I doubt you'll use a grinding wheel again after trying a belt sander.

The "Unified" wheel that Bingham sells (I assume they still have them) is still the ultimate tool for final polishing of a guide before wrapping.

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Get the finest grit belts you can get your hands on. I foung 320 grit........Use it on some srap metal to wear down the belt a little bit and you are ready for guides. You basically are buffing them to shape and nit grinding them then.

Derek


Derek L. McMaster
Rohnert Park, CA

Born to Fish, FORCED to Work

I have 320 grit belts too - hard to find, but they do a great job. My little belt sander was leftover from my golf club building days - glad I held onto it!

I have a 600 grit belt intended for a final finish on a Knife blade. They are called "cork belts" and not the same as a regular belt. I have not tried them on guides, but tehy do put the finishing touches on a razor edge knife blade.

Remember that the finer the grit, the longer it takes and the more heat that is generated. I do best with 150 grit, but others may prefer something else.

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@#$%& has the 1x30 belts to 400 grit. I use them for my guide prep holding them with smooth needle nose pliers. Fast and accurate.

Danny D. Will
Expatriated Conch

Supergrit.com has a wide variety of sizes and regular belts down to 320. Their website is a mess though, automatically goes to a HUGE catalouge PDF.