Best belt sander for knife sharpening

I have a nearly identical 1x30 belt model from Harbor Freight. Works well, but the hex screws that hold the platen in place are a bit soft. Grizzly tools carries a similar model, too. Lee Valley carries a good variety of 1x30 belts for sharpening. The 15 micron belt did a nice job on my khuks. :)

Dunno if I would get the same machine again. You can get a 1x42 for about $130 at Grizzly, or get a 1x42 kit (add your own motor at lee valley for about $60
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=44884&cat=1,43072
And I think 1x42 belts are easier to get. A 2x72 would be even better, I understand that's what alot of pros use. But again more expensive ....

Pat
 
If you're just going to sharpen, 1x42 is fine. I've read here that the 1x30 works, too. It's the 1 inch belt size that gets into the recurve nicely.

For heavier metal grinding, 1x42 (which is what I have) will work, but it can take a LOOONG time.

BTW, if I were only able to keep 1 power tool, it would be the belt sander. Use it all the time.
 
Delta makes a fine and cheap 1x42

I have that and another cheap 4x36 ( at least, I think that's what the numbers are.....sheesh)



I too, discovered how wonderful a belt sander is for all kinds of tasks. For instance, I just took a little metal off the Cleaver AK proto to get a completly flat edge.


munk
 
Rich_S said:
So I want a 1" wide belt, not one of the real wide ones?
Click to expand...

Rich if you can afford a 2" X 72" Belt Sander/Knife Grinder then go for it. Grizzly Industries makes a fairly decent one for a little less than $400.00 the last I looked.
That's what I bought some time ago and although it doesn't get used much I'm really happy to have it when I need it.
The Grizzly has a through shaft so that a buffing wheel can be mounted on the opposite end, makes for polishing edges real easy.:D

If you just want a hobby belt sander to sharpen knives with then go for the 1" wide model as it is ample for sharpening purposes and you'll wonder what you ever did without one as you'll find all sorts of uses for it.
Personally I'd get a Delta or one of the better known brands but a lot of guys get by just fine with the Harbor Freight stuff.

The 4" wide belt sanders like one Sears sells isn't worth a flying flip for sharpening knives. The belt is way too wide and it has a platen underneath it all so therefore makes it worthless for convexed edges.:(
 
Where are you located Rich?
 
Harbor Freight thingie works good. $29 plus shipping. You aren't out much if you decide you want more. Really tiny for what it does. You don't need a work shop, just about a 18in table top.
 
My 1x42 is a Kalamazoo Industries 1SM. I just did a quick check and found it for about $190 in a couple of places.
 
All the belt sanders I've used run way too fast for what I want to do with 'em. What I want for most knife work, is a belt sander running real, real slow. I re-did my old Rockwell with new sheaves (2" on the motor, 6" on the drive shaft reducing the speed 1:3) and replaced the 3750 RPM motor with a 1725. Now it is civilized running at 1/6 the original speed.http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44518&d=1121830707
You might be able to achieve the same end with a router speed-controll. Check first to make sure it will work with the motor on the grinder you're considering.Good luck
 
I spent a tad over 200 bucks, which is a some less than what a 'real' tool like the Grizzly costs, and I got a 1X42 Delta and a off brand 4X36 with variable speed For my purposes, both metal and wood work, I did good. For a single purpose metal head knife guy, I have to admit a Kalamazoo or Grizzly is a better way to go. You can't replace a quality tool. Tools that do a job well, often and last.

But anyway, the good news is that there is a variety of tools available, though not a huge market, and for very little money or a modest investment, you are set up.


munk
 
Take into consideration the availability of different belt grits. The 2"x72" has a tremendous number of different belt grits and compositions. Others can be very limited in belt choice.

Steve Poll
 
The only size I saw as partially limited was the length of the Harbor Freight machine, which offhand I can't recall. But in my wanderings on the web, I easily found all kinds of different businesses that sold belts, and I found every belt type and size imaginable. I think scarcity for the Harbor Freight machine is only that you can't walk into Joe's hardware and find it, but you can find it, and easily gather enough to stash at home and end worries.


munk
 
For sharpening:


Delta SA180 or SA150

The newer models are pretty nice....
 
I am considering getting a Delta SA150, since it is on sale locally.
What grit values do you recommend for initial sharpening and for honing?
I'd like to use a leather belt for honing, but I am allergic to the chromium oxide that Lee Valley sells. It works great, but I get contact dermatitis.
Any alternatives out there? Have any of you used a 1200 grit belt, or leather with something else on it?
 
Brian, that IS a nice setup. I love those PowerLink belts. Have them on my drill press and table saws.

Greg, I seriously envy the guy who posted those pics. Very inventive.
 
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