I’m a hobbyist and not a full time knifemaker. I earn my living elsewhere and practice the craft on weekends during winter and bad weather. My Ridgid oscillating belt and spindle sander served its purpose for the past three years but the motor is beginning to fail. So I’m looking to upgrade. A knifemaker buddy recommended a 1x42 belt sander (I think his is a Grizzly) but I’ve heard about some tracking issues with them. It’s in the $350 range. Then I read about the Jet J4002 but it’s $600. I’m not a professional, but I am a bit of a perfectionist and like my work to be too notch. Do I splurge for the Jet? Or do I seek value from a Grizzly or Rikon or Shop Fox. By the way I’m not a fan of Harbor Freight so I’m not fond of Bauer or Chicago Electric. 1) Is 1x42 the way to go? And is Jet J4002 twice as good as any of its competitors? Or is there a better option where I can still get top notch work maybe not as productive but still very good results?
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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Best value1x42 band saw for hobbyist knifemaker
- Thread starter McClure
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2018
- Messages
- 7,580
Coote also makes what looks like a good one in that size.
I was close to ordering one, but went elsewhere.
*Edit
Oops, I'm Sorry, I thought you wrote 2x42
If I was going to go cheap, id look at the 1x42 belt grinder at Lee Valley.
I was close to ordering one, but went elsewhere.
*Edit
Oops, I'm Sorry, I thought you wrote 2x42
If I was going to go cheap, id look at the 1x42 belt grinder at Lee Valley.
Thanks Crag! … Coote looks robust for grinding. I’ll keep ‘em in mind.
aareeyesee
Basic Member
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2023
- Messages
- 119
I got a multi tool 2x48 and I like it pretty good. I built a work rest that attaches to the grinder base plate and I already owned a decent 1hp 8in variable speed grinder so your mileage may vary there. So far I've been able to find any belt I've wanted and on the other side of the grinder I swap out paddle wheels or Scotch Brite pads or whatever.