Guru, haven't stepped up yet to pay the cost for ceramic belts, haven't made many knives from scratch or sold many either. Right now it's more of a hobby. I buy good metal sanding belts locally from Granger. My belt sander is an old Dayton, it has good power and does a good job, but it's a slow process. If I do my part, it gives me a good flat primary bevel grind because it has a flat steel plate behind the belt and I made an oversized tool rest.
Bob, wish I had room for a refrigerator! A cold beverage in the summer would be nice. This time of year I might try putting the plates outside the door of my shop while cooking the blade. In Michigan they should get cooled of quite well!