6 X 48 belt sander/grinder - Reasonable investment or not?

L

lonepine

Joined
May 7, 2010
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I have a friend who did lots of woodwork in his younger days but since retiring he is getting rid of almost all his tools. One of the things he is selling is a 6 X 48 inch flat-bed belt sander. He'll sell it to me for $25. I want to get it not because I really need it. I already own a MIGHTY Sears 2 X 42 grinder ;-) but for the price I don't feel like I should pass up the chance to get it.

My thoughts are that I could use it to flatten scales and/or blade blanks and steel, and maybe some rough shaping of handles. That's not a lot to justify it, but can a guy have too many power tools?

I saw it sitting at the back of a storage unit but didn't look closely at it. I have no idea what brand it is but my friend typically didn't buy or use junk.

I have to see if the platen is adjustable to be able to put a piece of glass on it.

I'm not sure what size the motor is. If nothing else, I could re-purpose the motor for a buffer or something else dangerous.

I feel like a heroin addict asking other heroin addicts if it's OK for me to get some heroin. Am I doing a reasonable thing here? At least by the forum's own twisted sense of logic? What other things could it be used for?

- Paul Meske, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
 
They can do a lot of stuff . I use mine to flat sand all the blades before the main grinding ( cannot afford a surface grinder ) Folks have modified them ( a raised flat platen ) to do all there flat blade grinding .
 
lonepine said:
I feel like a heroin addict asking other heroin addicts if it's OK for me to get some heroin.
Click to expand...
I lol'ed. :)

If it was "new price" and you didn't already have a mighty 2X42 :D I'd say pass. But for $25, go for it!
 
Heck it's worth that in parts alone. Knifemakers by and large seem to be pack rats and masters of (re-purposeing, bastardizing, liberating, take your pick) materials from their original use. The motor I'm guessing is 3/4 to 1 hp(who wouldn't pay 25 for that) plus wheels, platen, tool rest, bearings, switches ect.
Point is even if you just use it for scrap parts, you'll get your money's worth. Go For It !!
 
If you can get a look at a copy, see Sid Latham's book Knifecraft, Ch. 9, p. 132. Lloyd Hale is doing flat grinds on a large bowie on a 6x48 Sears sander with a 60 grit belt.

'Nuff said.
 
I have been making all of my knives with a 6x48 for the last 8 years:) just have to be creative sometimes!!!
 
Wellllllllll... OK, I'll get some more heroin, uh, I mean the sander/grinder. I'll bet I can destroy even MORE steel, faster, with it.

You're all a great support group. My fourteen children will have to go without shoes and food for another couple months but you all convinced me buying it would be a good thing. Thanks.

- Paul Meske
 
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