Belt Grinder Advice Needed.

J

Jeff Zimba

Joined
Feb 29, 2016
Messages
81
I'm finally joining the ranks of those who need a proper 2x72. The one I'm getting is a new line from Northridge Tool and I was offered a "small wheel package". Since all my experience so far is with a Harbor Freight 1x30, I have no experience with any wheels, let alone multiple wheels.

Now I understand why I need one, but since you don't know what you don't know, until you know, let me ask this; What size "small wheel" is the most useful, and aside from the obvious, grinding small inside radius areas, what are the smaller wheels most beneficial at?

Thank you so much in advance! I can't tell you how helpful this forum is.
 
I'm pretty new at this too so I will let others comment on some of the uses. I have the 3/4" and 1/2" rubber wheels.

I will tell you..from personal experience...don't run the small wheels any higher than 1/3 speed. The small bearings can't take it.
 
The 3/4" is the biggest seller and the one I use most, I have a 1/2" as well and hardly use it unless the person I'm building the knife for has very small hands.

If it has the bearings on the inside, Bader, Yes, don't run it that fast, If you have the Burr King, Hardcore, Bering on the out side, you can go about 60% of speed.

I suggest you get the 3/4" first and buy the rest as needed if you are on a tight budget.
 
Personally I use a 1" weel for index finger grooves and the like. There are times when I've wished I had a 1/4" wheel, or even a 1/2" or 3/4". It just depends on what you're needing to do. I use my 1" quite a lot though.
 
I use my 1 inch on almost every knife. I don't know if I could go without it. 3/4" would probably be great too, but I haven't needed it yet.
 
You can make a 1" radius with a 3/4" wheel but you can't make a 3/4" radius with a 1" wheel. I have several but use 3/4" 95% of the time.
 
Darrin Sanders said:
You can make a 1" radius with a 3/4" wheel but you can't make a 3/4" radius with a 1" wheel. I have several but use 3/4" 95% of the time.
Click to expand...

+1 big time. I will probably end up getting other wheels, bit so far the wheel on the main belt and the 3/4" are working for me.
 
I have 6 different increments of small wheels between 1/4" and 1". 1/4", 1/2" and 3/4" are my most commonly used small wheels with the 3/4" by far receiving the most use. I'd start with a 3/4" and work your way up/down in size as necessary and as $$$ allows.

Definitely run them as slow as possible; those tiny bearings don't last long if you run them over 900 feet per minute.
 
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