Belt Grinder Rec?

Craftsman 2x42 is often recommended for makers with lower budgets. However, it isn't near as effective as most 2x72 grinders, as far as I have read. The Grizzly 2x72 is about 500 dollars, but is not optimal. As always, you pretty much get what you pay for.
 
The only thing I know in that price range would be the craftsman 2x42. It's around 150 or so from sears. A lot if folks have used them to make some nice stuff. You can google search an find a number of mods to make it more effective.
 
I didn't realize you could modify the craftsman. A 180 degree miter guide would be awesome.

Thanks for the input so far.
 
Well of course. Hence my concern. I am known for customizing everything. I don't do it to things with warranties though!

So, even for something so broad and wide the 2" is better than a 4"? I used a 4" to make that one and I found that the broad surface really helped with consistency, and I didn't have to move back and forth half as much.

Why is the longer band more desirable?

I know I CAN make jigs to ensure a consistent angel. The question is how. Anyone got any suggestions?

I'm open to any suggestion/instruction.
 
Last edited:
I find that what a google search tells me and what an expert with real experience tells me often differ, which is why I come to forums after exhausting my google foo or finding conflicting information.

I would like to know what you guys think about it, and what really works for ya'll, but I will try searching for jigs. :)

EDIT: Didn't find much from searching, but after looking at a few sanders it just sorta dawned on me that it'd be easy to make a guide that clamps to the factory guide.
 
Last edited:
Barry,

Check out $500knifeshop on YouTube. I have a Craftsman 2x42 with manual tracking mod and ceramic platen mod. I'd really like to mod it to use 2x72 belts, and also make a small wheel attachment for it, I just haven't figured out how to do it yet.
I like mine, and I use the disc grinder a lot for other projects than knives.
 
Also, if you are doing "a few dozen" like 48+, I'd consider waterjetting. It would save an amazing amount of time, energy, and belts. Then you'd just have to use the grinder for bevels.

Buy good belts! Stay away from AO belts. I'm using gator belts and ceramic blazer belts from Trugrit.
 
BarryHalls said:
I know only a little about belt grinders and almost nothing abojt shopping for them. What would be the best on to get for under $350 for shaping/sharpening a few dozen of these,

http://www.gunandgame.com/gallery/data/500/medium/2012-02-15_10-47-40_605.jpg

Thanks so much!
Click to expand...

Having used a number of cheap belt grinders/sanders, I would recommend getting something better even if it is used. In your budget, I would highly recommend one of the Multi-Tool adapters that mount onto a bench grinder. I have the 2x36 like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Multitool-2...497?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c245950f9 but I modified it to use the more popular 2x42 belts. The 2x48 version would be great. Tracking is spectacular, it runs smooth as glass, and it is built to last a lifetime.

Another nice feature is you can mount it to a 3-phase grinder which will allow the option of variable speed---a VFL controller is about $100-200 depending on the HP rating. You can use 3000-4500 FPM for grinding/shaping, and slow it way down for to sharpening/polishing.

A 1x42 grinder is also pretty nice---I have an import clone of the old Delta---but it is not in the same league as a 2-inch wide grinder.
 
Am I looking at a device which I could clamp onto my variable speed bench grinder and run 2" belts on it?? SOLD!

I'm still listening, but that one's going to be hard to beat!

I'm having trouble finding a 2x48 that's not attached to a $300 grinder already. . . :(
 
Wow, that says a lot.

At under $100 . . . I could break a couple of those before I settle on something more permanent.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top