Belt grinder motors

[ysforge]

Hello gents,

I'm sorry if this question is like beating a dead horse, but my search function isn't working, so here goes:

I'm building a new belt grinder, as I'd prefer to have one set up for slow speed finishing, and another for grinding, just to reduce hassle. I've got a variable speed grinder now, built using a baldor 1.5 horse variable DC motor, and I'm fairly pleased with it, but I have people tell me all the time that they'de prefer at least 2hp for their grinders, what do you guys think?

Should I use the spare 1.5 horse variable? Or should I bite the bullet and buy the 3 horse I've been looking at? does the extra HP make that big a difference?

I'm not a knife maker primarily, but I've found more an more orders for knives coming in lately, which is why I'm upgrading my equipment.

Thanks guys,
Tony

 

[Mike Hull]

Use your 1 1/2HP motor!
I've got three VS belt grinders, two are powered by 1 1/2 HP, and one is 1 HP. The 1 HP is used basically for small wheel grinding, but I have no regrets about the other two.