Recommendation? Chipbreaker vs 1x30 with quality ceramic belts?

Joined
Apr 5, 2010
Messages
25
EDIT: Apologies if this is discussed elsewhere, but I could not find anything that answered my question.

So I'm working on my second knife, a Gough clone (because I have no creativity of my own yet), 3/16 A2 (buddy has a kiln), using the filing jig and a Nicholson file. It's taken me hours of work on a single side to get a full flat grind. I would love to have a 2x72, but for money and space reasons, it is not feasible right now.

I am curious as to what the "best" option would be for faster work on a limited budget and space requirement. I see the Pferd Chipbreaker recommended because it can remove material quickly, but I never see any time estimates on it.

I do also see enough people recommend a "good" 1x30, like the Wen on amazon, and getting some nice, coarse, ceramic belts for it from a reputable shop.

I wonder what is more worth my money. I wonder how long a solid file or set of files would last for the money I spend, and same for that grinder. I know no grinder that isn't a 2x72 will perform like one, but I wonder if I can make it at least bearable.

Thanks for any advice!
 
I’ve made a bunch of knives with a 1x30 harbor freight sander, cost me $40 I think? I used the cheap AO belts on amazon. The general consensus is that ceramic belts are probably overkill if you’re using a 1x30.
 
I’ve made a bunch of knives with a 1x30 harbor freight sander, cost me $40 I think? I used the cheap AO belts on amazon. The general consensus is that ceramic belts are probably overkill if you’re using a 1x30.

Hmm, alrighty. To make an analogy, is that like putting a set of expensive racing wheels on a shitty Honda Civic?

How easy is it for you to grind down the shape of the blank, and then the bevel itself? Time estimate?
 
I cut out the profile with a metal cutting band-saw so that is really fast. Before I had that, I did the rough shape with an angle grinder and then finishing the profile with the 1x30, 36 or 50 grit belt, that would take probably 10 minutes. Bevels take about 30 minutes for a smallish knife using a 60 grit belt. For a larger chef knife with a full flat grind, maybe an hour? I do some freehand and some with a “jig” (which is just an 8 inch section of an angle iron that I clamp the blade to with a vice grips). I adjust the angle of the jig with the tilting work rest on the harbor freight grinder (I had to modify the work rest slightly by cutting off a chunk to make it able to told forwards).
 
I don't have a band saw, just a hack saw for now. Truth be told, my buddy does have all of this stuff, but I want to do it on my own. And I am not a huge fan of angle grinding, as the bench grinding I tested out ended up surface hardening the bit I tried it on.

That time range is so much faster than all hand tools though. I might have to give it a serious look. Are there any immediate downsides to the 1x30 you can think of that you wouldn't have hand filing? I can't imagine any, I figure it would be a 2x72 that would better.
 
Not that I know of. I dont have a comparison but my little grinder is a workhorse and has taught me so much. I’ll probably keep using it for certain things even when my 2x72 arrives (bought an Ameribrade).
 
I would recommend anything at all larger than the HF 1x30. Even an old craftsman 1x42. You want something with some horsepower, mass, and more abrasive surface area. Ideally not made of plastic like the HF thing.
 
I cut out the profile with a metal cutting band-saw so that is really fast. Before I had that, I did the rough shape with an angle grinder and then finishing the profile with the 1x30, 36 or 50 grit belt, that would take probably 10 minutes. Bevels take about 30 minutes for a smallish knife using a 60 grit belt. For a larger chef knife with a full flat grind, maybe an hour? I do some freehand and some with a “jig” (which is just an 8 inch section of an angle iron that I clamp the blade to with a vice grips). I adjust the angle of the jig with the tilting work rest on the harbor freight grinder (I had to modify the work rest slightly by cutting off a chunk to make it able to told forwards).
I use a 1x30 Horrid Fright grinder exclusively. I agree with the above if you double the time estimates. I've made 2 knives with files and a jig and 4 with this grinder. While I will say its not much better than a file it's not as useless as some of the naysayers suggest. Its limited in power, it doesnt take a dozen different contact wheels, but it does cost 5 percent of the price of a new 2x72, plugs directly into the wall without pulling new wire, no variable frequency drive, belts are a dollar and fifty cents, and its never let me down yet. I have hobbies that are affordable. The 1x30 helps keep this hobby going. You might outgrow it immediately but if tthat's NOT the case at least you cont have a 2500 dollar mistake on your bench.
 
I use a 1x30 Horrid Fright grinder exclusively. I agree with the above if you double the time estimates. I've made 2 knives with files and a jig and 4 with this grinder. While I will say its not much better than a file it's not as useless as some of the naysayers suggest. Its limited in power, it doesnt take a dozen different contact wheels, but it does cost 5 percent of the price of a new 2x72, plugs directly into the wall without pulling new wire, no variable frequency drive, belts are a dollar and fifty cents, and its never let me down yet. I have hobbies that are affordable. The 1x30 helps keep this hobby going. You might outgrow it immediately but if tthat's NOT the case at least you cont have a 2500 dollar mistake on your bench.


I have heard many people say this, but what exactly does it mean? It took me multiple hours to file a bevel onto the knife I am doing. Will a 1x30 be only slightly better than that?
 
I have heard many people say this, but what exactly does it mean? It took me multiple hours to file a bevel onto the knife I am doing. Will a 1x30 be only slightly better than that?

I'm saying it takes me 2 or 3 hours to get the bevels done with my 1x30 and achieve acceptable results.
If you've watched pros make knives with a 2x72 on youtube, and I'm sure you have, the 1x30 eats wood at the same rate a 2x72 eats steel. The 1x30 isn't even remotely in the same class as the big belt grinders. That said, I get better results than I do with files. It's easier to get the bevels even and get the plunge line where I want it. My last three knives I posted on here were done on one. They're far from perfect but I'm thrilled with the results and value that HF $40 machine got me.
 
Ah, okay. That puts it into a bit more perspective then. At that amount of time, I almost think a 1x30 just is not worth the money. I have used a 2x72 before, and yes, they are the clear winners. I'd love to have one right now.
 
I used my 1x30 on about 6 knives then said screw this and bought a 2x72.. takes forever with the 1x30 and unacceptable finish quality. the sander was also falling apart.. Maybe try a 2x48?
 
Ah, okay. That puts it into a bit more perspective then. At that amount of time, I almost think a 1x30 just is not worth the money. I have used a 2x72 before, and yes, they are the clear winners. I'd love to have one right now.
I got mine on sale with a 20 percent off coupon for under 30 bucks. Worth every penny.
 
I might be the only one here, but i use a HF 1x30 and use norton ceramic belts for it. I cut my profiles with an angle grinder and a cut off wheel. Then use a grinding wheel on an angle grinder to get it really close to shape, and save belts. I average about an hour from the first cut to being ready for HT. I did spend a few bucks on a piece of glass for the platen, because the stock platen was getting concaved pretty badly. I'd say get one on sale, most definitely. You can make enough knives with it to decide whether you want to really get into the hobby financially.
 
The one issue your going to have with the 1x30 is good flat grinds. I can see someone new to grinding taking hours to get a ok grind but nothing real good. It’s the same on a 2x72 it’s just you get to the ok grind faster. Grinding on a belt takes practice and don’t be surprised if you spend way more time trying to figure it out then if you just used the file. Don’t get me wrong learning to belt grind is a very important step in upping your game. But if your wanting to finish a few blades you have started on I would not mess with the belt grinder. There is a very high likelihood you will mess up the blade using a belt. So I say keep going with the file at least till you get the one done that you started. Then you can consider a belt grinder if you decide this is somthing you would like to continue doing. But maybe look into a nice corse file for now. Get somthing that is designed to hog off steel. I would rather spend $30-$40 on a top end file(s) then a single 1x30 HF sander.

I don’t understand why people defend the 1x30 so hard. It’s a pile of junk, but that’s ok. Call it like it is. If it’s all you can afford and you have zero space then more power to you. But don’t make it out to be somthing it clearly isn’t just becaus you don’t have a proper grinder. No one is going to pass judgment on you becaus your broke and trying to make knives on a shoe string budget. We will actualy try and help you where we can. But if you come in talking shit about the grinders we pay thousands of dollars for. And talk the 1x30 up and how it works just fine then be prepared to be met with some resistance.
 
I used my 1x30 on about 6 knives then said screw this and bought a 2x72.. takes forever with the 1x30 and unacceptable finish quality. the sander was also falling apart.. Maybe try a 2x48?

A 2x48 is getting up there in cost though, which I could be saving up for a 2x72. I'll likely just stick with good files for now.

The one issue your going to have with the 1x30 is good flat grinds. I can see someone new to grinding taking hours to get a ok grind but nothing real good. It’s the same on a 2x72 it’s just you get to the ok grind faster. Grinding on a belt takes practice and don’t be surprised if you spend way more time trying to figure it out then if you just used the file. Don’t get me wrong learning to belt grind is a very important step in upping your game. But if your wanting to finish a few blades you have started on I would not mess with the belt grinder. There is a very high likelihood you will mess up the blade using a belt. So I say keep going with the file at least till you get the one done that you started. Then you can consider a belt grinder if you decide this is somthing you would like to continue doing. But maybe look into a nice corse file for now. Get somthing that is designed to hog off steel. I would rather spend $30-$40 on a top end file(s) then a single 1x30 HF sander.

I don’t understand why people defend the 1x30 so hard. It’s a pile of junk, but that’s ok. Call it like it is. If it’s all you can afford and you have zero space then more power to you. But don’t make it out to be somthing it clearly isn’t just becaus you don’t have a proper grinder. No one is going to pass judgment on you becaus your broke and trying to make knives on a shoe string budget. We will actualy try and help you where we can. But if you come in talking shit about the grinders we pay thousands of dollars for. And talk the 1x30 up and how it works just fine then be prepared to be met with some resistance.

Looking at the 1x30 isn't to finish a current knife, it's mostly to work on future knives. I will likely just try a Pferd Chipbreaker file for now, and put away money for a 2x72. I'd rather spend money on one grinder, and not step up towards the final one. That seems like a waste.
 
When I started making knives the one tool I was lacking in proficiency with was a decent grinder.. I finished a lot of knives with a file (even when I had a 1x30) and sold them to friends and family, gave some away. I started my grinds with the 1x30 but the thing was so wobbly and the platen would never stay flat/true so the bevel line was always wavy, so id have to finish on the file guide anyways. When I saved up enough for a 2x72 I was quickly able to learn to start and finish my bevels on the grinder. I jumped into a VFD so I believe the ability to speed up and slow down the SFPM helps a lot. But Like JT said when you hear someone being negative about something you own its easy to get defensive, but in reality there is no comparison in a 1x30 and a 2x72.. If your willing to wait it out and save up then all power to you! Just an FYI I got into my grinder (2x72) for $1050. I got an Ameribrade 2X72 full chassis with platen and 7" drive wheel (plus a handful of belt), bought my own new 1750rpm Motor and matching VFD, grinder stand and a ON/Off power cord.
 
When I started making knives the one tool I was lacking in proficiency with was a decent grinder.. I finished a lot of knives with a file (even when I had a 1x30) and sold them to friends and family, gave some away. I started my grinds with the 1x30 but the thing was so wobbly and the platen would never stay flat/true so the bevel line was always wavy, so id have to finish on the file guide anyways. When I saved up enough for a 2x72 I was quickly able to learn to start and finish my bevels on the grinder. I jumped into a VFD so I believe the ability to speed up and slow down the SFPM helps a lot. But Like JT said when you hear someone being negative about something you own its easy to get defensive, but in reality there is no comparison in a 1x30 and a 2x72.. If your willing to wait it out and save up then all power to you! Just an FYI I got into my grinder (2x72) for $1050. I got an Ameribrade 2X72 full chassis with platen and 7" drive wheel (plus a handful of belt), bought my own new 1750rpm Motor and matching VFD, grinder stand and a ON/Off power cord.

Thanks for the input. Was I dogging on the 2x72 though? I certainly didn't intend to, and don't remember doing so. I'd love to have one, it's just a space and money thing right now.
 
I think a 1x30 is worth the money, but the tool has limits. I wasn't able to do the flats with it and went back to files for that part. It is a big time saver for profiling and rough handle work.
At 30 bucks it's not a bad tool to have while you're saving up for a 2x72.
 
Back
Top