2x48" Multitool?

B

BChou-E29

Joined
Dec 4, 2009
Messages
503
Anyone have this unit or for that matter any 2x48" grinder? Are there any advantages or more importantly disadvantages to the this belt size as opposed to a 2x72"? Also, would you say a lower HP motor would suffice as the belt is shorter? Thanks guys.
 
HP is a function of torque and speed. The speed of your belt and the force you generate by pressing against it will dictate how much HP you will need to prevent stalling the motor. The faster the belt and the harder you grind, the faster the metal removal and the higher the HP requirement. The length of the belt will not figure in, though to some degree the width of the belt would (a 6" wide belt is going to require more HP than a 2" belt, all other things equal)

1 1/2 HP is a practical minimum for good results, though 1 HP will work. 1/2 HP will likely stall if you're pressing very hard.

The advantage of 72" belts are good life to cost ratio, and good selection of belts types and grits.
 
ive got the multitool, being the only reasonable sized belt grinder i could find.
Ive got mine attached to a 6" grinder, not sure on the HP but it couldnt be more than 1HP and it seems to handle it just fine.

but just about every maker on here has said that once they got a belt sander they just basically give up on the bench grinder and i agree. i havnt touched a bench grinder stone for months.
 
I have the 2"x48" Multitool with the Jet 1hp grinder, it works awesome for grinding blades out and hogging steel. I find I can get 6"x48" belts and basically get three belts for the price of one. They are easy to tear into smaller sizes by making a small slit and tearing at that point down the length of the belt.
 
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Since the belt width is the same as a 2x72 grinder, the 3/4 HP motor that comes with the multitool would be severely underpowered, right?
 
FWIW I did a lot of shopping around for a 2x42 and 2x48 belt grinder and for the money you can build a NWG , I have maybe $400 in mine and that is with a 3hp 1740 rpm 110/220v single phase motor I got off of craigs list with a 2" and an 8" poly contact wheels. If you make a knife... you can build one of these grinders there is seriously nothing to it... I just finished my frame today... I even welded it up, just waiting on some parts from Tracy at USAKnifemakers to finish it up. Just get the NWG plans and go to town.
 
BChou-E29 said:
Since the belt width is the same as a 2x72 grinder, the 3/4 HP motor that comes with the multitool would be severely underpowered, right?
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I don't know, but that was one of the reasons why I decided to just go with the Jet grinder that has the 1hp motor. I don't know if 3/4hp would be enough, but considering the belt runs so fast, it would probably still grind pretty decent I think. Are you referring to the Hurricane model?
 
R.C., yes I was. But I don't want to pay for a bench grinder that I'm not even going to use. They're a nightmare... Does either come with a work table though?

Fb, I was considering it, but instead thought the time/energy spent into making the NWG would be better spent into making a forge. Maybe some other time when my machining skills improve :o
 
BChou-E29 said:
R.C., yes I was. But I don't want to pay for a bench grinder that I'm not even going to use. They're a nightmare... Does either come with a work table though?

Fb, I was considering it, but instead thought the time/energy spent into making the NWG would be better spent into making a forge. Maybe some other time when my machining skills improve :o
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They don't come with a work table aside from the platen itself, or the table that comes with the disk grinder attachment if you get it (sold seperately), but they are generally used in a horizontal position so there really isn't need for one either... I don't do hollow grinding so that may be different for you though.
 
lol, I just came here to ask about the Multitool. I decided not to bother building one since its gonna cost me about the same as a decent prebuilt one.

my top 3 right now are the Coote, Grizzly and my budget choice would be the Multitool, I just came across it this morning. I'd rather go with a 72" belt but the Multitool is pretty inexpensive considering I can get used bench grinders for cheap off craigslist.
 
If you live in the US, why not just get the Grizzly 2"x72"? That is what I would have went with, but Grizzly doesn't ship to Canada. That is basically the only reason I went with the Multitool instead. The Multitool is a great grinder and works well, no doubt about it...but it's not a really true knifemaking machine.
 
Yeah, I'm listing to the Griz. I'm not a fan of working with a horizontal grinder. Reminds me too much of the 3x21" sander I started on... Plus its only about $200 more (LOL, only). Beats upgrading a couple years down the road.
 
I was having a closer look at my Multitool and I think I can possibly switch it around and mount the belt on the left hand side of the grinder so it grinds vertically with the platen facing out...But I almost prefer grinding horizontally, especially for longer blades. There was an article in Wayne Goddard's book "The Wonder of Knifemaking" where he discussed his preference for grinding horizontally for doing long swords because he could get a full sweeping motion and a more even grind on a long blade. But that's just a personal preference and nothing you really need worry about. I hope you have fun with your Grizz...if you find you don't like it for whatever reason, you could always mail it to me.:D
 
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