Came across a Craftsman 2x42

Should i go for a cheap little grinder to get me by until i can get a bigger one like a coote grinder, or should i just go right for the coote?
 
Kingdom said:
Should i go for a cheap little grinder to get me by until i can get a bigger one like a coote grinder, or should i just go right for the coote?
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For 83$ you can't get much Coote. On the other hand if you get serious about making knives you will pretty quickly find the Craftsman to be lacking for grinding blades. It will work but not quickly. You might give some thought to whether it will be useful for other stuff if/when you upgrade. Some guys like to use them for grinding handles, or other misc. tasks.

Another way too look at it is, if you can save up the cash for a better machine in a fairly short time frame, it is probably worthwhile to wait and go for a 2x72". If it is going to be a long time before you can lay out 500$ or more, the Craftsman is probably a worthwhile purchase.

A last consideration is setup-the Coote and most other 2x72's require some assembly and/or mounting, and often you have to provide a motor, pulleys, or other components, the aquiring and matching of which can become a project in itself. The Sears unit should have pretty minimal setup. So if you are bent on having one up and running asap this may be worth considering.
 
Well saving up wouldnt take too long, seeing as most of my earnings go toward blacksmithing gear/tools. As for setup I could probably do it myself or if need be get some help. But I had just started on a new project when my 1st grinder (a Ryobi 4x32 piece of crap) died on me after 1 hour of use. So ill have to look at my checkbook and see whats my best option at this time.
 
roxtar said:
Unfortunately, that price is only available in an Ohio store.
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Yea,I was gonna snatch up another one for that money.I got mine for $100 shipped and feel like i stole it.I use it every day and it's never hiccupped.I also have 2 2x72's and a 1x30.I grind blades on the square wheel 2x72 and do most of my handle work on the little crafty.I have flat ground blades.It has a nice flat platen.
 
Ebay brother,They have them all.Lady on there almost always has them.Nothing exotic,but they do the trick.
 
I was going to buy this today but when I went to try and find my keys they were locked in my truck.. So I began searching for my spare key which is nowhere to be found!! Coat hanger wouldn't latch onto the mechanism in the door so I bit the bullet and $119.00 I stand belt grinderless.. Maybe it's a sign that I should get a coote or a grizzly? *mutter*
 
I just bought the same Sears grinder/sander two weeks ago. After setting it up on my bench I put a blade to the belt and almost immediately ground off the very tip of my left thumb and some of the fingernail.

Safety, safety, safety!

I had been using a regular hand-held belt sander but this works much better. Faster! Obviously I haven't learned how to use it effectively yet. My production has gone up but quality has gone down. It's not a Bader, Coote, or Grizzley, but it sure beats a file. It will probably hold me for a long while.

I am able to stop the belt from turning when applying pressure to it. It is not overpowered. Why did I get it? I burnt out the hand-held sander grinding blades and could not bare the thought of going back to filing the bevel on my blades. It was on sale and so I bought it. I can't afford a 2X72 grinder.

- Paul Meske
 
Anyone had trouble fitting a leather built on the Craftsman?

The belt I have won't fit on the bottom wheel.

Is there a leather belt that fits?

I know I can grind off the guard, but would rather not.

Otherwise, I like the machine.
 
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