Thread: 4th Annual North Central Texas Razor Meet at Charlie Lewis Razor Workshop

Originally Posted by Lynn

Steel Wool is a by product of a lot of grinding.........

Yes when you use 24 grit belts. Get some of those...

I've never used a belt that coarse. Would it cause less heat build-up?

Originally Posted by Utopian

I've never used a belt that coarse. Would it cause less heat build-up?

The coarser the belt the cooler it runs, it is counterintuitive.

Originally Posted by spazola

The coarser the belt the cooler it runs, it is counterintuitive.

Less heat build up means the glue holding the grit lasts longer and theoretically more belt life with more work done per belt. Most of the supply shops (for 2x72 et al) only go as low as 36 grit. Occasionally they show up in odd places.

24 grit, even 36 is not for anyone who hesitates to approach a bench grinder. They are aggressive and will go through steel handily. And, that glove you thought was some sort of protection for the fingers. 50-60 grit is fine for most things.

Originally Posted by Mike Blue

And, that glove you thought was some sort of protection for the fingers. 50-60 grit is fine for most things.

YES they will! I don't grind with gloves and I slipped one day and ground off the tip of my index finger from just a quick "jab" on my 4x36 belt grinder. That one was a tender one to heal up as it took all the skin & got to the fleshy tender stuff & toasted the nail like it was paper.

I have only found/used 36 grit, but for hogging out material I would use 24 if I could find it.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

....I don't grind with gloves and I slipped one day and ground off the tip of my index finger from just a quick "jab" on my 4x36 belt grinder. ....

It's Charlie's show and I suspect he's thought to lay in a full case of superglue and duct tape for fixing any owies that are going to occur. It sounds like he should have a safety lecture before things get rolling. I hope his charity donations are up to date...with this bunch of metalheads descending on his quiet home, the karmic balance is surely going to tip one direction or the other. LOL

Originally Posted by spazola

The coarser the belt the cooler it runs, it is counterintuitive.

Have you ever finished a straight razor using scotch-brite?

Originally Posted by BloodOrange

Have you ever finished a straight razor using scotch-brite?

Scotchbrite comes in all sorts of forms including belts for bench grinders. Given the limits of the selection of grits available it's possible to do what you ask. It's not going to be a mirror polish by any means. The finest grit is specified 400-600. I think it's a gray color. There are finer grits (white - maybe) but I can't recall seeing them for power tools.

I am bringing a first aid kit to donate to Charlie's shop. Same ones we have on locomotives. Handy to have around.

I checked the other day and i had over a dozen tubes of super glue go bad. Either i am not doing enough work or i am a little safer. I think a little bit of both.

Well, in a pinch Charlie's forge should be able to serve as a cautery wand.