Anyone using a small grinder for knife making.

J

jball1125

Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
3,400
Hey everyone,

Just wondering how many on here use a smaller than normal belt grinder for their knife making. My space is very limited and I need something that can be moved around easily. I was thinking of getting a small 1 x 30 from harbor freight or a 4 x 36. Not sure if it would even work. What are your thoughts????
 
I use the HF 1x30. It has some usefulness... more than the 4x36 for sure. I use the 1x30 for shaping mostly. The 4x36 really only serves to flatten things out. The motors on both are weak, so you'll have to use a light touch.
 
jball1125 said:
This one? http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00921513000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3
Click to expand...


Yes that one.

The real advantage is that you can get the good belts in that size.
http://www.trugrit.com/belts3.htm




Some do mods to it also, it's helpful to be able to slow it down & add a larger motor at at the same time


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qfYT_m2Tw0&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZwemN7t45g&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL



this post should help you, lots of info on grinders
You can make your own too.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...at-should-I-check-out?p=10016234#post10016234
 
I use the Sears 2X42. It runs about a bazzilion miles per hour but it removes steel, especially with a good belt. It beats filing every blade.

- Paul Meske
 
i use a grizzly knife grinder. 2x72 costs less than half than anything else. You have to fab your own attachments. a really solid tool!
 
I've made several small-to-medium knives with my 1x42, tho often not 100% on that machine. It's slow. It works. If you're planning to spend money, I'd recommend saving up for a 2x72. My 1x42 was given to me and all I've had to buy are belts, but I'm usually borrowing time on a friend's big machines.

The advantage of a small machine when you're learning is that you can't screw up as badly as quickly, so you get a fair amount of practice shaping and beveling simply because you spend a lot more time doing it! The other advantage is that many of the small machines also have a circular flat grinder which I use A LOT to prep handles and whatnot.

-Daizee
 
I used to use a Delta 1/3hp 1x42" grinder. I made some great knives on it, but it is VERY slow going. It used to take me about 4 hours or so to grind a 4" blade out of 1/8" stock. If you're willing to spend the time, a small grinder is fine. If space is your concern, though, My Grizzly 2x72 doesn't take up any more room than my Delta (maybe slightly more) and is almost as portable.

- Chris
 
I started with the Craftsman 2x42, and I would recommend it over the 1x30 because you can get much better belts and if/when you upgrade later to a 2x72, you won't need to re-learn what you're doing due to having a different belt width. There are some definite downsides to this grinder which drove me a little crazy, but it's cheap and beats hand filing for sure.
 
I'm a beginner with a small amount of space. I've been using the HF 1x30 and an angle grinder. My results aren't bragging material but I've so far made some ok knives. From beginner to beginner I'd say get it and see if you like the hobby before spending too much money. You can always find a use for it down the road if/when you decide to upgrade. A friend of mine bought a bunch of equipment and steel a year ago and so far has only produced one knife...don't want to be that guy.
 
You can make one with rocks, if you want to spend the time.. I started with a 1x42" from Knifekits and it works, but takes a while. Upgrading to a 2x72" 2horse variable was a big step up in quality. The 2" belt seems to help with a more even grind as well.
 
If you're planning on being strictly amateur stock removal type like me, I've been making do with a bench grinder and a portable hand sander, although there's a cheap belt sander that's a little wider at harbor freight that I just picked up (4x36). I couldn't find anything there that was more than 1 HP though. Belt choice seems to have a lot to do with speed; I kinda prefer slow, because that way it's easier for me to correct when I mess up my grind lines.
 
I've ground about 5 knives on my HF 1x30. Finding the 24 and 40 grit belts really helped out. I've flatened (a relative term) and polished a few more, and sharpened maybe hundreds of times on it.
 
Thanks for all the advice guys. I think im going to start with the sears grinder and see how things go. I have done quite a bit of hand grinding and I think any sander would help at this point. lol
 
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