Disc grinder

[shappa]

I've found a disc sander for sale and was wondering how good they are for knife grinding. Does any one use one exclusively for blade grinding? I want to do some flat grind blades but I'm just a hobbiest not a pro. I cant afford to put out the big bucks for a bader or burr king.

I've found one that has a double spindle, 1/2 hp westinghouse motor, 10" aluminum disc on one side with a tilt table and miter gauge...10" wooden disc on the other spindle. The motor is reversable and is wired for that and is wired with a foot switch for hands free on/off. The whole thing is on a base that has vibe free feet. It looks a lot like a kalamazoo 10" disc sander on their site. It looks like it's seen little use.
The price is $95.. should I jump on it or pass.
Thanks for any input!

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~~TOM~~

 

[NickWheeler]

That sounds like a pretty good deal to me. I'm not sure if 1/2 hp will be enough for doing all your blade grinding or not. Though it sounds like it's set-up pretty well.

For about the same amount of money, you could order one of the variable speed 2 hp treadmill motors, a 9" disc from K&G, and the neccessary hardware. This was discussed pretty thorougly in recent posts. You can run a search and find them.

This would give you a lot stronger, variable speed disc sander. But it will take a lot more effort to set it up.

I'm planning on setting one up here pretty soon.

Alan Folts already has, and said he is happy with it.

Nick

[This message has been edited by NickWheeler (edited 06-09-2000).]

 

Let me tell you a disc sander is well worth the money!
I have had a REALLY tuff time getting the flats FLAT

Scrounged up a disc grinder and now (No kidding) I get perfect flats on my tangs.
I have yet to try grinding a blade. I will tell you mine is a 1/2hp 1725rpm and it bogs really easy. I am going to get one of the treadmill motors myself. I think 1.5 to 2hp would be adiquate.

 

[Jon Christensen]

I've never used mine for doing bevels but it really shines for keeping things flat (tapered tangs, plattens, handle material etc.). I couldn't imagine being without it. I use it about as much as my belt grinder. I used an old 1/3 hp washing machine motor (a dollar at garage sale) for mine and have only bogged it down once, I was trying to flatten my bench block. It weighs about 10 lbs., too much to expect of it I found out.
Sounds like you found a good buy, you could always upgrade the motor later on.
Good luck
Jon

 

[magnum .44]

i think i'll make a 20" disk sander for making the handles flat and flush with the bolsters and pins. easier to use than a belt sander for that.