2" x 42" Craftsman mod opinions?

[Skeaterbait]

After reading through a lot of info on 1x30 vs 2x72 vs 2x42 vs.... I ended up buying a Craftsman 2"x42" and ordered belts from Supergrit. Without really having done anything with it other than tinker and refurb an old ax head I picked up at a garage sale I have to say I really like it. However, my only comparison is the file jig I made based on Aarons video (thank you Aaron)

I checked out some of the posted mods people have done and the biggest seems to have been leaving the belt guard off and cutting part of the table to make changing the belts easier. Since I was really against cutting the table I drilled two holes in the stop plate (for lack of correct verbiage) and mounted a piece of steel to make a new table.

Here is my thought for the next step of this and I would like to get opinions: Instead of making a number of beveling jigs that will need to find a home I thought I would make one jig with no angle.Then weld a nut to the bottom of the plate/table and get a bolt to extend to the bench, so by screwing this in and out I could change the angle of the table and lock it down.

My question is, is there any reason that multiple jigs would be a better alternative to adjusting the table? Sorry for the pic quality, I didn't realize how blurry it was till now.

 

[NC Biker]

I just use a piece of 2" angle with a few 1/4-20 holes taped into it for adjusting the angle. The nuts on the screws just lock the angle in. Don't see the advantage of having multiple fixtures. My jig has a piece of teflon on the bottom to help it slide and I clamp the blade to the face of the jig with 2 small c-clamps.

 

[Brian.Evans]

I'll tell you what does even better, no jig at all. Get used to grinding free hand. Although, you're going to be frustrated with the 2x42. You can definitely make knives with it though! Don't let anyone tell you that you can't. Really focus on your basics and building that muscle memory.

 

[Skeaterbait]

Thanks to both of you for the replies.

NC, are the longer bolts that way to act as handles or do they have another function?

Brian, I can absolutely see the merit to what you are saying, however, as I am still working on my first knife I don't yet have any basics to practice. And yes, I can see your point on the 2x42 but I got what I could afford, actually a bit more than I can afford right now. But I did it anyway

 

[NC Biker]

Thanks to both of you for the replies.

NC, are the longer bolts that way to act as handles or do they have another function?

Brian, I can absolutely see the merit to what you are saying, however, as I am still working on my first knife I don't yet have any basics to practice. And yes, I can see your point on the 2x42 but I got what I could afford, actually a bit more than I can afford right now. But I did it anyway

Yes, the longer bolts were just used as handles. I was however experimenting when the picture was taken and I found the nylon bolts tend to slide better on the table. Brian is right, ultimately you want to grind by hand, but I found the jig to be a good way to get an idea of what your trying to achieve.