Belt Grinder opinions

bjr

bjr

Joined
Sep 23, 2006
Messages
181
Is this a good place to start?
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...rtical=TOOL&subcat=Sanders&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes
It's no KMG, but the price is right. I know the belt is not very long, which means I am going to burn through them. But I'm learning folders right now, so the parts are small. Although a country boy at heart, I currently live in Boston, so my knife making has been confined to my kitchen table and I have been working by hand with files. I could make a little room in the shared basement space for a small bench with one of these and a 10" drill press. I think it's all the shop I need to profile and grind bevels. Advice is always welcome, and my thanks again for all the good pointers I have gotten thus far.
 
A lot of people have used that grinder as a starter.

I'd spend the extra $20 and get the one with the 8" disc.

IIRC, Trugrit has a good selection of grits in that belt size.
 
Just as fitz said
I used that same grinder for about 2 1/2 years before I got my KMG
Takes a little fine tuning to get it right and add a pyro ceramic platen liner
 
Bubba!!! It's a good started grinder if that is all you can afford.:thumbup:
I have done the following for a few people that got the grinder. Mounted a hardened piece of O1 or Pyrocrem (sp????)on the platen so you can make the plunge cut with it.
If you need help take a ride down here to the southshore.:D If you have any ??? Feel free to call 508 951 2719. We will be having Hammer-Ins down here starting in the spring.:D
 
My friend, that is a great offer. Thank you. How does the platten mod help with the plunge cut? I can't picture it.
 
The platen on the sears is stamped steel and has a very radiused edge
and you cannot get a sharp plung cut with it adding the ceramic or a plate of d2 will get you there
 
I purchased that grinder back in june to start making knives. Have made 8 knives on it and given them out as presents, grinder is still going strong. The glass platen is a must :I went through two platens in a month before I made the mod. I just pinned a lip on the bottom of platen and stuck the glass platen on with heavy duty double sided stcky tape. Belts can be gotten from barbkat@zoominternet.net (company in Iowa) half the price of Jantz same quality. For the plunge cut you need to adjust the belt so it hangs over the edge of platen about 1/16 inch then re adjust for the other side of blade. This is a good grinder to start on and even though I am going to make a kmg wanna be this summer I will keep this grinder for handle work.
 
bjr said:
Ok, I get it now. The mod makes sense. Thanks boys.
Click to expand...
This is how I have done them with O1 @ 1/4" X 2". I have the student order a piece of O1. Then I drill and tap it, harden it and mount it to the platen.
I do not temper it.
:D
 
i have a 4x36 craftsman that has held up very well. I got a piece of 1/4 x 4" glass glued to the platen to make the plunge lines(this works well). glass is not the smartest, safest idea, but i'm neither the smartest or safest.
 
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