Craftsmen Sharpener

[Vivi]

I saw this for 45$ today at Sears. Has anyone used them with knives before? I don't have a garage or much space outside to use power tools so it looked like it might be good for me to use when reprofiling blades.

 

[bobofish]

Craftsman power tools are no longer the equal of the hand tools, even if they were ever close to those excellent hunks of steel.

This is, as I remember, a low end grinder. They have better grinders certainly, and some that aren't too shabby. Sad to say, I'd stay away from most Craftsman power tools with the exception of some of their table saws, and a couple of other portable hand power tools.
Frankly I've been considering picking this up:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BOLGE4..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=07PVAVMHBWKGTXTE7R99

From what I remember, it's a good German brand, built to last. I hope somebody else comes on here with more knowledge than me before you are tempted to pull the trigger though.

 

[BJE]

I have a really old version of that. Made by Craftsmen, probably from the late 80's early 90's. I have had it a long time and I have used it a few times. It is ok, but the motor turns pretty slowly and the stone isn't coarse enough to hog off metal, but it isn't fine enough to put a good finished edge on anything either. I use it to file down the kicks of slippies.

 

[SPXTrader]

Frankly I've been considering picking this up:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BOLGE4..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=07PVAVMHBWKGTXTE7R99

From what I remember, it's a good German brand, built to last. I hope somebody else comes on here with more knowledge than me before you are tempted to pull the trigger though.

That's interesting...but wouldn't it remove more material faster than say a belt sander? I'm not looking for reprofiling or rapid stock material. Decent for what I want or not?

 

[bobofish]

Well frankly I was thinking of getting it for chisels and the like. If you're not interested in much removal, maybe you're better off with the belt sander. Even so, I'm shuddering a little at the thought; are you doing something halfway between simple sharpening and reprofiling? I'd think that the belt sander is already too extreme, and simple wet dry sandpaper should do the trick. Maybe I'm wrong?

 

[SPXTrader]

Resharpening in a fast efficient manner, yet being able to experiment with inclusive angles. I'm also looking at richard j's polishing wheels.

 

[Practical Use]

I have one - I use it for sharpening friends "low end" kitchen knives. Works OK for that.

 

[bobofish]

Now that I think about it, it's so obvious I have to laugh. I thought you were talking about using a handheld belt sander. Ha!

As for STATIONARY belt sanders, I have little experience, can't help you. I'm familiar with grinders of the type I linked to, and am very comfortable with them. Again though, I was focusing my attention on chisels and smoking pipes with a buffing wheel. You might be well served by a stationary belt grinder. I imagine they're more than a bit more expensive though, eh? The times I've looked to getting a belt for my pipe work it's been too expensive to bother with for my meager needs.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

That unit doesn't appear to be all that good. If you want a space saving slow speed sharpener/grinder , check out the products at Woodcraft supply. The Jet clone of the Tormek grinder is variable speed and a great deal at less than $300.
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=5883
They have others ,too.
Stacy

 

[Zeasor]

Many knife enthusiasts in other knife forums have purchased a belt sander from Harbor Freight tools etc for $40. Its one limitation is speed. It run fast and can easily overheat metal if one is too aggressive. Patience and $40 has served many very well, including thinning and re-profiling blades. It's generally quicker/easier and much less expensive to change belts than change grinding wheels. A wide variety of belts is available including a leather belt for power stropping from Lee Valley Tools. Search this forum (and others) for "Harbor Freight" for more info.

 

[SPXTrader]

Interesting. It looks like there's some type of backing plate attached to the table behind the belt. Can this be removed to allow the belt some give?

 

[Lurker]

There is usually a gap between the backer plate and the wheels on which the belt rides. In that small area, you can usually take advantage of some slackness for a convex edge.

 

[Zeasor]

Interesting. It looks like there's some type of backing plate attached to the table behind the belt. Can this be removed to allow the belt some give?

I don't know if the plate can be removed. I do know that others have claimed it is perfectly adequate for convexing a blade. Ask your question in a new thread and users of this machine will probably come forth with their experiences.

 

[mhawg]

I've used that one for axes and hatchets but it didn't work for me on knives. Yes, sharpening my parents cheap kitchen knives was an easy chore but he likes those 40 knives for $19 at the PX deals.