Belt sanders and bench grinders/convexing

[Alacrity]

So I've gotten the basics of sharpening down. I can take a dull knife to shaving sharp using a dmt coarse and the sharp maker. I enjoyed doing this on a large selection of knives. I now want to try something new...

I picked up a swamprat rodent solution a couple weeks ago and it has a beautiful convex edge. I want that. I looked in to convexing by hand and that seems all well and good, but I've also been interested in a belt sander for a while. So I came here for advice. I'm thinking a belt sander (advice on type, cost, where to buy) the belts I'd need (same) and possibly a bench grinder(convince me). I'm also open to discussion on if this is a good use of time and money.

Thanks in advance for the advice and help,
Alacrity

 

[ebrguy]

If you know you are just going to be sharpening with it and perhaps some wood working go with the Kalamazoo 1" x 42" machine. Enco has them on sale 15-20% off with free shipping at least 2-3 times a year. If you think you might get into making knives you'd want to look at something a little bigger maybe? Or just be prepared to add another machine when that time comes?

The Trizact belts are really good. Also heavy linen belts with abrasive on them work very well too.

 

[Alacrity]

How much do you think it'd cost to get a good belt setup going?
Also I've heard it can b bad to use Power tools on smaller knives because of the heat?