Disk sander for grinding?

Matt Shade

Matt Shade

Joined
Nov 24, 1999
Messages
4,981
I have a 6" bench grinder I can use, but I don't like it very well because there is hardly any clearance between the wheel and the motor so you have to make very short blades.I have a delta 4x36" belt sander with a 6" disk on the side. It puts out 1/5 horsepower. Would I be able to do the profiling and rough grinding on the disk, then switch to the belt to finish it up? I will be working with blanchard gound ATS34. Any other suggestions?Thanks alot.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
Matt, if you're flat grinding, just use the belt. I have a 6 by 48 belt sander, and thats what I flat grind on. I know it's a bit slow and tedious, but it's a good dependable way to do it. Slower speeds are easier to control too.

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"
 
I started with this exact same equipment. It took forever to grind steel with them.

I even tried a cheap 1x42" belt grinder (I had some free 1/2hp motors available to me) and found that I could easily stop the belt dead while grinding.

Don't get me wrong, you can do it, but don't expect to grind out a blade in short order.

Also, on my 4x36 I made the 6" disk into an 8" disk using 1/4" aluminum plate and bolting it to the 6" disk. Works much better. (It also has the 1/2mp motor)

Good luck and happy grinding.

Darren
 
It all started when a $100 factory knife seemed too expensive and I was gonna save money by making my own. Then I got hooked .....

I got a Delta 4 x 36 belt sander. Cheap... $119. Works ok for handles, but not so great for blades. I'd consider it a minimum possible machine for the task. Easy to stop the whole belt by just pushing hard.

I now use a 6 x 48 belt sander with a 12" disk and a 1 hp motor. Cost about $300. Much better. The disk is nice for flat grinding blades. But I can still see the need for something better.

In a few months I plan to start looking for a 2 x 72 machine. Costs anywhere from $900 to over $2,000. Seems like everyone ends up with this eventually.

I think a lot of us have been down this road. Welcome to the club.

Carl
 
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