Belt Sander for Beginner?

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NathanZB

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Jan 19, 2016
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I start this post knowing that this has been asked loads of times. However, I'll ask it again.

What is the best beginner belt sander?

I had made a few knives before using files for the primary bevel. This takes a really long time so I was looking into a belt sander. I would like one that is affordable and will last a couple of years. My price range is 0-250$ (I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy ;) )

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thank You,
Nathan
 
I'm sure that there are other options out there, but FWIW, my first sander was a 3x21 belt sander. It cost less than $200, and while far from ideal, it beat files for most work. I already had it, and one day I thought to myself "why can't I put this in the vise and grind with it?" There are serious drawbacks including pitiful belt selection and even worse speed control, but it's what I already had in the shop.
Just my $.02
 
I use a 3x18 makita, cause that's what I have but I think I'm gonna get the 2x42. I've used a 1x30 and you get better control but it takes awhile.
 
A variable speed 2x72 will give you the best options/learning curve, but you could barely buy a motor and VFD for $250.

I've seen plenty of guys build a serviceable grinder with salvaged parts (scrap steel, treadmill motors, surplus/salvage motors, etc..) for $250 or less, but it's not easy.

Fill out your profile so people at least know where you are. Might find a few more recommendations to suit your locale.

A craftsman 2x42 may be a reasonable option for the budget listed, but realize they run a little fast and are only one speed. Also, belts are a little more limited.
 
Yes the craftsman...
Yes it runs fast but you can controll the pressure your putting against the belt.
And dunk in water just about every pass.

Belts can be purchased thru Super Grit
Once you get the hang of the speed it's not that hard.
 
The Crapsman will work. Tru-grit in Ontario Cal, has Ceramic belts in the 2 x 42, When I had my Crapsman, I would sell each knife for enough to make three more, One third goes in a Coffee can for a real 2 x 72" machine, One third for food rent etc and one third goes to the wifey,

Don't modify the Crapsman, so when it burns out you can take it back and get another one from Sears.

FYI,
If no wife? Two thirds goes to better equipment :)
 
I'll also throw this option out there, as it's what I did, but I did build my own (NWGS with plans from USAKnifeMaker). That is, I built it a little at a time with what limited funds I had, while I saved from my full time job, doing some side work, selling some things, or what have you. I seem to recall working out the price as less than $500 for a flat platen, although it may even be less than that depending on what you have available. It is a little more money (the motor and wheels are 2 of the bigger expenses), but you have a very serviceable and expandable/upgradeable grinder when you're done.

Again, you don't have to buy it all at once... I went one day to a local fab shop drop yard and got most of the square tube (more than I needed actually, minus one or two odd sizes), then I kept browsing craigslist and ebay for a good price on a used motor, which I eventually found. The hardware was purchased little by little as I went to the hardware or browsed ebay, and before I knew it, I had a complete grinder.

I'm not saying don't get the craftsman necessarily, but you can still piece something together as you go along, OR you can up your budget a couple hundred bucks, (which may mean wait a couple more weeks or months) and get something a little more versatile to start. I'll also add that I didn't really have much in the way of tools at the time, but I did have some handtools and an old shopsmith that I had rebuilt. The nice thing though, is that any tools you use to build a grinder can usually be used for knife making too. Drill press, grinders, saws, etc...
 
Way back when and I do mean way back my brother suggested I take his 16" or 18" belt sander and give it a try. I thought it worked pretty good , but that was way bacy. I now have two 2X72 Bee machines one of which is a clown I put together.
Frank
 
What about a delta 1" sander? I found one for pretty cheap. The model number is: 31-080
 
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NathanZB said:
What about a delta 1" sander? I found one for pretty cheap. The model number is: 31-080
Click to expand...

Plenty of guys start out on a 1" sander. You're a little more limited in belt selection, and they're not gonna last as long as wider or longer belts obviously, but they can do good work, and are still faster than files and sand paper. You probably won't be hogging any steel off either, but they can be useful if operated within their limitations.
 
I'm interested in the NWGS. My friend, who I make knives with, wanted to have something wider, stronger, and more reliable. How much did the sander cost to make? Was it easy or hard?
 
NathanZB said:
I'm interested in the NWGS. My friend, who I make knives with, wanted to have something wider, stronger, and more reliable. How much did the sander cost to make? Was it easy or hard?
Click to expand...

Tracy has put together a very good set up plans, and as far as the ease of build, I'd say it's fairly straightforward. If you can make a knife, you can build a NWGS. As for cost, I wanna say that I had about $650 or so into mine altogether, but I also bought an 8" contact wheel from Beaumont Metal works, as well as 2 idlers, a drive and tracking wheel, which added up to a pretty big chunk, or probably more than half the cost of the build. Now days there are more options available on eBay and such, for a bit less money, and if you just start with a flat platen with aluminum idlers, it's not nearly as much as a contact wheel.

http://www.mickleyknives.com/No-Weld-Grinder/no-weld-grinder.html

Tracy gives a pretty accurate price breakdown on his website, and it's actually lower than I remembered for a used or "scavenged" build. Looks like you could build one for $300 or less (just a flat platen that is) if you try to source all your parts on the cheap. Really, I'd hazard to guess that even $250 could be doable.

DISCLAIMER: As with anything, the results you get will only be equal to the work put into it. While it's a fairly straightforward build, some care must be taken to have holes drilled square and properly located, cuts made square and straight, wheels lined up with each other, etc.... Also, I might add that I changed a couple of things from how the plans have them, including using a heavier base tube, spacing the pillow blocks out more, using heavier "straps", and one or two other things to kind of beef it up. I've made a few videos on my youtube channel over the years as I've modified or upgraded things, so you might take a look before you build, but as the plans sit, they are still quite good, and more than adequate for a nice robust machine.
 
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