belt grinder question

J

jurisprudence

Joined
Jul 17, 2009
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414
I am looking for a belt grinder and searched this forum, and took notice of some recommendations for Sears 2 x 42 model. My primary use for it will be to shape and sharpen axes and tools. Can this grinder produce a flat grind and a convex grind? Thought I would ask the experts here for advice.

Flat grind is needed for some of the old carpenter's axes (with single bevels) and convex for most other axes. I have been using a belt sander but hands free operation (not having to hold the on switch) would be great. After shaping with the belt sander, I am able to maintain edges with sand paper, sanding by hand. However, many times old tools have been neglected and require some material removal before the tool is in shape enough for hand sharpening.

Thoughts and suggestions are appreciated.
 
I made about 40 knives on a Craftsman 2x42 in the last year. I can do both flat and convex grinds. I put a ceramic liner onto the platen for better flat grinds (the platen it comes with isn't very flat. I run it without the guards. Remove (or bend) the hadnle for changing belts, you can just grab it and twist to change belts - it get in the way for using the slack belt area above the platen.
The Craftsman runs very fast at 4400fpm. So use light pressure and keep the blade moving to prevent overheating the edge. Also use sharp belts.
Bruce
 
The Craftsman will work well for those uses. Like Bruce says, it runs really fast, so it's easy to ruin the heat treat if your not careful. Just be sure to use sharp belts and dip it in your water bucket after every pass. I put a glass platen on mine for flat grinds and it works well. You can get a good assortment of belts from trugrit.com.
 
I have also been looking at the Craftsman 2"x42" but as I have been looking around through the knife suppliers list I have been having trouble finding belts for it. There are plenty of 1x42 belts but not many 2x42. I haven't been able to get the trugrit site to work properly. What would be the recommended source for belts?

Edit- trugrit.com not truegritabrasives.com. Damn google searches.
 
Find a place that deals with Klingspor. I know Klingspor will specially make belts to whatever size you want.
 
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