Can you run sanding belts wet?
SANDING BELTS THAT CAN BE RAN IN WET APPLICATIONS
2" x 72" Sanding belts CAN be ran wet with something like a mist system when your sanding belts are made with a polyester backing! Sanding belts that are made with a polyester backing are typically ceramic sanding belts, zirconia sanding belts, silicon carbide belts and even aluminum oxide X-weight belts. Typically with other companies their J-flex belts will break down and snap if you get them wet, however our Jflex belts at combat abrasives can be used with the mist system!
WHY YOU SHOULD TRY USING A MIST SYSTEM WHEN GRINDING STEEL
We thought this mist system was something we needed to share with the knifemaking and metalworking community because of its many benefits with sanding. These little mist systems are affordable, use ingredients and liquids you can make from your home and improve the finish of your workpiece considerably. If you want the video below by knifemaker Andreas Kalani you can see he is using his mist system when grinding steel with a homemade concoction of baking soda and water, which almost everyone has at home!
Premium option mist system - Premium Mister $ 122.33
This one is very durable and equipped with a nylon reinforced air line and 4 foot long siphoning line.
Cost effective mist system - Cost effective option $ 18.99
How does the mist system help when sanding?
1. The #1 benefit of using a coolant / mist system when sanding steel using a sanding belt is improving the finish of the workpiece. This is because the oil or water / baking soda solution works to whisk away the metal particles, fragments and allows the belt to leave a more even line grain.
2. The 2nd benefit of using the mist system when grinding using a 2" x 72" sanding belt (or any other size) is that it keeps the workpiece AND the belt cool which allows you to hold your blade or steel up to the belt for longer periods of time without having to remove and quence the blade in water or oil. When you sand it can tend to burn your hand as it generates immense amounts of heat, however this is regulated with the mist system.