JHZR2
Staff member
I’ve been dealing with a 6x48 belt sander that I got lightly used from FB marketplace. It came with some unknown 80 grit belt on it.
I’d been using it to grind a cast iron exhaust manifold as discussed here:
@Trav had recommended some better belts, and recommended Empire Abrasives. I got some. Wow. The 120 removed material like crazy. I accidentally touched some surfaces and it took a lot off of them that I didn’t want removed. Ugh.
But I’m finding that the longevity isn’t much. They’ve gotten more “benign”, and smoother to my hand. They’ve maybe clogged up, but my rubber cleaning block doesn’t fix it.
These are “ceramic” grit.
Meanwhile, the one that came on the machine, looks like new despite being used on far dirtier original surfaces on both sides of the manifold.
I have no idea what this material is. It could literally be sand on resin for all I know.
Does ceramic last that much less than other grits?
Are there rules of thumb for what kinds of grits to use on what materials? I felt like the ceramic was almost dangerous for my skill when I started using it.
Any idea what’s going on?
I’d been using it to grind a cast iron exhaust manifold as discussed here:
This is a follow up to a few related threads, as I think this is a specific skill and technique so best left separate to address. The manifold on my 1991 MB300D has a bit of erosion at the turbo interface.
The manifold is cast iron. The studs I believe are stainless. All the hardware came apart very nicely after 230k miles. Thing is, I cannot get the four studs out.
Two I can see on the backside, two are blind holes.
I’ve tried months of penetrating oil. I’ve tried double nutting, which just spun. I’ve even just tried inductive heating, but I couldnt get the stud...
The manifold is cast iron. The studs I believe are stainless. All the hardware came apart very nicely after 230k miles. Thing is, I cannot get the four studs out.
Two I can see on the backside, two are blind holes.
I’ve tried months of penetrating oil. I’ve tried double nutting, which just spun. I’ve even just tried inductive heating, but I couldnt get the stud...
@Trav had recommended some better belts, and recommended Empire Abrasives. I got some. Wow. The 120 removed material like crazy. I accidentally touched some surfaces and it took a lot off of them that I didn’t want removed. Ugh.
But I’m finding that the longevity isn’t much. They’ve gotten more “benign”, and smoother to my hand. They’ve maybe clogged up, but my rubber cleaning block doesn’t fix it.
These are “ceramic” grit.
Meanwhile, the one that came on the machine, looks like new despite being used on far dirtier original surfaces on both sides of the manifold.
I have no idea what this material is. It could literally be sand on resin for all I know.
Does ceramic last that much less than other grits?
Are there rules of thumb for what kinds of grits to use on what materials? I felt like the ceramic was almost dangerous for my skill when I started using it.
Any idea what’s going on?
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