"Terry Coombs" wrote in message
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On 12/17/2018 8:53 PM, Jim Wilkins wrote:
"Jim Wilkins" wrote in message
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"Terry Coombs" wrote in message
................
Are there any custom bladesmiths in your area you could ask, who
might let you try theirs?

I did and was very impressed with his custom variable speed 2"
machine,
The belts he uses are "structured ceramic".



Several bladesmiths around , but none I know well enough to ask to
use their tools ... Dan suggested cubitron belts , I can afford 20
bucks for a pack of 5 to try them out .

--
Snag
Yes , I'm old
and crochety - and armed .
Get outta my woods !


I had paid him for lessons and forged a froe blade from a leaf spring,
then ground down the hammer marks with each of the tools he and I had
to compare them and see if mine were adequate for hobby use. My 7"
angle grinder with a dish wheel was a close second to his 2" belt
sander for roughing the long blade smooth, straight and nearly to
shape but not as good at the ends, where I can use my 1" x 30" belt
sander to achieve results that are functional if not pretty.

Unlike a disk the dish wheel doesn't wear out of shape and guides
itself to cut the surface straighter and flatter.

The 2" belt in his skilled hands was -much- better for final shaping
and finishing of custom blades to sell. It has a platen (backing
plate ) with an angle-adjustable guide table for flats and an
unsupported freehand area for curves, and variable speed to avoid
burning sharp edges.

The common name for them is "square wheel".

-jsw