Belt sander opinions please

[pumaster6377]

Hi guys ive been reading these forums for a while now and finally decided to get active!
Ive been making knives on and off for a few years now, the hard way with files, home made belt sander, grinder drill press etc..
Im not in a very good financial position atm, but want to continue my beloved hobby so have decided to look at a bench top belt grinder.
Can i have your opinions on the following please, and what their limitations in use may be...ok no slack belt but i like to flat grind my blades.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BELT-DISC-SA...1QQihZ004QQcategoryZ20782QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-375W-BEL...4QQihZ019QQcategoryZ20782QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Many thanks.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

If you plan on making knives with it, you would be much better served by a vertical sander with a rubber contact wheel. The ones you pictured are basically for woodworking.
Bill

 

[John T Wylie Jr]

while you can make knives with that , you would need to add a piece of toolsteel ( to function as a platen ) to get the area where you intend to grind on to be flat. The surface under the belt may feel flat , but is actually far from it.

They usually lack power , and the belts dont run as cool as a 2 x 72 , but you can get started with one of those. Hollow grinding is out though.

Even with my Bader3 in the shop , the 4 x36 and 1 x42 machines still get lots of use. The 4x36 is used for all my leather work , and kydex as well , also for some handle shaping.

If it is all you can afford , go for it.