8inch bench grinder or 4x36 inch belt grinder

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dalr753

Joined
Jan 5, 2012
Messages
77
hey guys i need some help, my local home depo has two grinders an 8 inch bench grinder and a 4x36inch belt grinder. their both 3600 rpm and i think 3 amp? most everything i've read and heard is that belt grinders are more useful but its $120 and the bench grinder only $64. also i make knives on my porch in an apartment complex so i want whetever makes the least amount of noise. is there a significant difference in the noise or usefulness of the two?
 
are you on the ground floor so you can set up on a slab, or are you on the 2nd or 3rd floor?
 
2nd or 3rd story I would say neither

But on the main floor the 4x36 will be the most useful, bench grinders kinda suck...
 
Craftsman 2x42 is still the answer to your question.

A hard stone bench grinder is just about impossible to get a nice flat grind on and I had a 4x36inch belt grinder -no good either.
 
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i nearly bit the bullet and bought a 4" wide belt sander, but after doing some research, oh boy am i glad i didnt, i wouldnt bother, agree with the two switched on fellas above me, the craftman 2x42 which you yank fellas have access too is the choice, or you can be cool like me and make all the guys dreaming of one and slowly build a 2x72 sander which although might delay knife making 1 or 2 months in the long run going to have a top sander, ive learnt before, buy cheap, and you'll end up spending more later on, or, be patient, save, and buy something of quality, my $30 drill does what a $30 drill should, and it aint bloody much, so much regrets on cheap tools that from now on, i be patient, i save, and a buy quality that way i spend once, im not in it do go "oh i will buy something better later on", why, because i dont like wasting money especially when i dont have hardly any in the first place, if your worried about noise, mate there aint much difference in sound, those grinders and disc sanders are still loud, if your concerned about size, well look at the size of a 2x72, everything including a vice, and bench drill press can all fit on a 5ftx3ft table which if you can be a bit knowledge with yourself can mount on wheels which lock up and wheel it inside and out, i have no yard to work, just a small rear slab, i found an old school desk which i turn into my "moveable" work table to move inside and outside, just my 2 cents worth
 
If you can't go with the Craftsman 2x42 I'd recommend the Harbor Freight 1x30 as second choice to the Craftsman. My older model Delta 1x30, same as the HF, does surprising well considering, once I got used to the high belt speed.
 
knifemaking01 said:
just my 2 cents worth
Click to expand...
I nearly bit the bullet and bought a 4" wide belt sander, (simple HF buyer )

but after doing some research, oh boy am I glad I didnt, (smart)

I wouldnt bother, ( spread the word)

agree with the two switched on fellas above me,( people on this site are smart)

The craftman 2x42 which you yank fellas have access too is the choice, ( Rocken Statment )

or you can be cool like me and make all the guys dreaming of one and slowly build a 2x72 sander which although might delay knife making 1 or 2 months in the long run going to have a top sander ( thats what i did )

I've learnt before, buy cheap, and you'll end up spending more later on or, be patient, save, and buy something of quality,( after 30 years agree)

my $30 drill does what a $30 drill should, and it aint bloody much, ( my first skill saw is still running )

so much regrets on cheap tools that from now on, (yep)

I be patient,(smart)

I save, (smart)

and a buy quality that way I spend once,( clearly this guy has leared a lession )

I'm not in it do go "oh I will buy something better later on", ( again smart)

Why because I dont like wasting money especially when I dont have hardly any in the first place ( I feal your pain buddy)

if your worried about noise, mate there aint much difference in sound, those grinders and disc sanders are still loud, (agree)

if your concerned about size, well look at the size of a 2x72, everything including a vice, and bench drill press can all fit on a 5ftx3ft table which (2x72)

if you can be a bit knowledge (smarter) with yourself you can mount ( the unit )on wheels which (will) lock up and wheel it inside and out,( make it easy to move in and out)

i have no yard to work,(whinning) just a small rear slab, (finish whinning)

i found an old school desk which i turn into my "moveable" work table to move inside and outside, just my 2 cents worth
Reply With Quote


I get the bigest kick out of aussie speak ;0)
 
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For what it is worth I've done all of my grinder work on a 4x36". Not the best by far, a lot of limitations, but it will get work done combined with the disk. That being said I would have preferred the 2x30/42 that people suggest, I just work with what I already have.

Good luck.
 
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