disk vs. belt grinder question.........

ryan9977

ryan9977

Joined
Feb 16, 2006
Messages
1,962
hello all......i have a dilema.....i originally bought wheels from tracy and plans o build a no weld grinder......well the guy who was gonna help me can't help me anymore.....i have no experience building anything and i really doubt i can build it.....so i was gonna put up my wheels for sale and probably just get a bare bones kmg.......i could convince him to rig up the motor for me though......

i was thinking though-how does a disk sander compare to a grinder....obviously i know some major differences.......but i was considering getting a kmg disk grinder and save up for a regular grinder over time......some things to consider i guess .....

1)i am primarily gonna be making thin flat ground kitchen type knives

2)what is the cost differnec between sheets of paper andbelts?

3)the disk sander is gonna be helpful even after i get a kmg so is it better to get it now?

i have heard of makers exclusivly grinding on a disk......please help me .......thanks for any info.....ryan
 
Morning Ryan!

Your going to be able to use either machine to do what you mentioned.

Quality paper for the disc depends on whether your going to use pre-cut PSA discs, or 9x11 sheets. For heavy grits, your likely going to have to use the PSA discs, but once you go to 80 or finer grit you have the option of the sheets. High quality sheets will run you around $40+/- per sleeve of 50. Belts are going to range from around $4 to $9 each, depending on brand and grit.
The difference is that generally on the disc you will use a number of sheets versus a single belt on the belt grinder. If you decide to go with the disc GET THE 1 DEGREE BEVELED DISC. If you get the flat disc, you'll only be able to comfortably grind a 3-4" blade without the opposing side of the disc grabbing and trying to jerk the blade out of your hands.

Since I have both type of machines, I generally use the belt for heavy work with coarse grits, and then go with the disc for 400 grit and finer...doing so has saved me tons of time on finish work.

I know of a number of folks who use disc grinders exclusively...so I think its all a matter of learning to use the tools you choose for the tasks you desire. I've learned that there are tasks one does well, that the other doesn't, and vise-versa.

I personally would recommend that an individual get a belt grinder first, and then if you can acquire a disc later, consider it an "accessory" machine. The reason I say this is simply because a belt grinder is far more versitile that a disc, and if you only have one at your disposal, your going to be able to completely make a knife from start to finish with a belt grinder. You MIGHT be able to accomplish the same thing wtih a disc, but from experience, I can tell ya its FAR easier with the belt grinder.

Your the only one who can actually make the decision....examine your needs, along with all the other factors that apply specifically to you, and then make the choice based on that. Either is a long term investment, and with minimal care, either should last for a very long time.
 
i do almost all of my grinding on a 9" disk sander. its a lot faster to me than grinding on a belt sander for flat grinds. they work great for profiling a blade also. my friend art summers came by yesterday and i showed him how i grind on a disk sander. he liked the speed and results. you might want to get a cheap belt sander for the time being unless you dont mind hand sanding the final finish. you can pick up abrasive sheets cheap and use spray glue to attach it to the disk.
 
I agree with Ed. Get a belt grinder if you can as I use it for so many things other than knife making. You might look at the no-weld grinder plans. I hear good things about them. Good luck.
 
thanks ed richard and dan......

ed-u make alot of good points.....i kind of figured that would be most peoples rsponse.....the thing i was worried about is getting a motor and having a friend help me install it.....i have no idea how to do stuff like that and it's intimidating.....i think i'll just get the kmg basic and hope my friend can help me with the motor.....the only reason i even considered the disk was that the motor and everything comes with it......

dan- iactually have th eplans for the no weld grinder and wheels......i was going to have a friend help me build it but he is unable to help me.....he is so busy he really doesn't have time and i'd like to have a grinder before i die......i don't think i could build it solo and if i could i wouldn't trust it would run right and true.....

thanks for the responses.....ryan
 
Ryan
I'm sure Rob would take the wheels back and give credit towards a new KMG .
another choice though is to take your plans to a shop and have them build it .
 
Take a ride up here and bring all the parts that you have and we will put it together.:thumbup::D
 
ONeill said:
Ryan
I'm sure Rob would take the wheels back and give credit towards a new KMG .
another choice though is to take your plans to a shop and have them build it .
Click to expand...




well i bought the wheels from tracy.....they are still new in the box-i don't know tracy's policy on them but i could probably return them i guess....i felt bad asking though.....anyway.....i would think for the cost to have a shop build it i could just get a new kmg....wouldn't that wind up costing almost the same.....ryan
 
indian george said:
Take a ride up here and bring all the parts that you have and we will put it together.:thumbup::D
Click to expand...





all i got is a couple wheels brother!:D......not too far along.....ryan

i had thought about buying the frame tracy is selling now but if u add up the frame...the wheels i already bought with the planns .....for just a little more i could just get a basic kmg......doesn't seems like it made sense to go that route.....ryan
 
I also have those same plans and have started building a grinder. So far there haven't been any thing hard about it. I am cutting the tubes and flats with a 4 1/2" angle grinder I bought from Harbor Freight for like $20. I have a bench top drill press but a cordless drill set on slow speed will accomplish the same thing for drilling the holes with a couple of good drill bits. The biggest thing for me too is wiring the motor. But I'm gonna buy a local motor so I can ask lots of questions should it prove difficult to hook up.

Build the grinder...you can do it!!!
 
ryan9977 said:
well i bought the wheels from tracy.....they are still new in the box-i don't know tracy's policy on them but i could probably return them i guess....i felt bad asking though.....anyway.....i would think for the cost to have a shop build it i could just get a new kmg....wouldn't that wind up costing almost the same.....ryan
Click to expand...

Tracy was working with a couple of forum members who were cutting to size all the material necessary to complete the grinder .

Write him , he is a great guy .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top