Do I need a bench grinder as well as a belt grinder?

V

Vulcanite

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Jan 16, 2009
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Gonna start making stock removal knives soon. I just ordered a belt grinder. A 3/4 HP Wilton 2X42 belt/disk unit w/ removable patten. Planning on making them out of 440C & having them bead blasted, sort of like Entrek. So, I really dont' need stuff for fine polishing. Though I will like to have a somewhat polished edge.

Edited to add that I have a hand held angle grinder, dremmel & accessories, & drill press & pattenmaker's vise.

My question is, do I need to get a bench grinder too, I mean an abrasive wheel grinder? I was thinking I might need one when I am shaping the profile in finger grooves & other small concave radiuses.

Can I cut down the 2" belts to maybe a 1/2" wide & take out the patten to grind out finger grooves, or should I just get a bench grinder to these types of the profiling? Not sure if that unit can work w/ <2" belts...

Should I get a grinder anyway so I can run a muslin buffing wheel or should I do polishing w/ some sort of belt on the belt grinder?

It really is no problem to get a bench grinder; they can be had for pretty cheap & HF or HD/Lowes. But if it is better &/or cheaper to just do everything w/ the belt unit then I won't bother cluttering my work bench.

If I do get a bench grinder, are there some things I should be sure to get or avoid?

I see there are 6" & 8" ones.

Should I get one that comes w/ one grinder & one buffing wheel or should I get one w/ two grinder wheels?

So, do I need the bench grinder for some profiling & polishing or can I do it all w/ the belt grinder? If not, what belts do I need? If so, what belts & wheels do I need?

Thanks. :)
 
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i would get a right angle grinder for profiling blades. its much easier and faster plus the 1/4" wide wheels makes it easier to get into tight spots. you can get a grinder also for buffing blades and handles or to put a set of paper wheels on for sharpening your knives. what size disc is on your wilton? i use a 9" disc for about 90% of my grinding and finish up on the belt sander.
 
I have a bench grinder that i hardly use i use my side grinder all the time for profiling blades as well as cutting them out with zip cut discs. I have a buffer but mostly use it for handles. You will find uses for different tools as you get going. Have fun!

Bob
 
The die grinder is a good suggestion since you are just starting out. Personally I have made several knives and never really needed a bench grinder for knifemaking. If you do get a buffer, get a 1725rpm model and under 1hp. That buffer is extremely dangerous when a blade gets hung up and magically gets removed from your hand by force. Folks have gotten impaled with their projects. I have a 1/3hp buffer, and as long as I have a good handhold on the piece the buffer will stall most of the time. Do you have a drill press? I would put that money towards a drill press rather than the bench grinder.

Clutter? Clutter is AWESOME! It only takes me 5min to find tools I need!:D
 
It is a 2X42 w/ 8" disc

I do have a little bench top drill press.

Thanks for the warning about the bench buffer.

By 'die grinder' & 'side grinder' do you all mean 'right angle grinder'?
 
we are talking about the same thing. Only I have a compressor with a 60gal tank so I have been buying pneumatic tools. my handheld grinder is not 90deg, it is straight shaft. That is no big deal, it is personal preference.

Another thought is buying the biggest compressor you can afford is also nice. I waited till I had the money for at least something with a 60gal tank and 10CFM @90psi. My compressor gets daily use. It is nice not only for the tools but blowing chips off of stuff, and blowing dust off of your person before you exit the garage.
 
Here's another tip. Buy a can of 3M77 spray glue and sheets of whatever sandpaper you want to use for the disc side. Lots cheaper than buying actual PSA discs. I always mount my sheets to the disc before cutting off to one side so I get the most usable scrap to use for whatever hand sanding I need. Even if you purchase top of the line paper sheets (maybe even cloth sheets, I was using those for a while) it is still cheaper than pre cut discs. I keep the utility knife and glue right next to the disc.
 
harbor freight has the 4" angle grinder on sale this month. i use mine for profiling blades and cutting out blanks. for the price its a good deal.
 
harbor freight sells an adapter for about five bucks so you can mount buffing wheels on a regular grinder. If you use a few washers to take up the space, you can also mount 6" angle grinder wheels on your bench grinder for getting into tight spaces. It looks unorthodox, but works very well.
 
I don't have a bench grinder. I use a metal cutting bandsaw to cut out the knife blanks. On the Wilton belt grinder with the DC variable speed I slow the machine down while using the small wheels. I use the 1/2 inch wheel and two other slightly larger ones for profiling finger grooves and other tight angles.
 
Must haves. Belt and disk sander, drill press, hack saw, files, side grinder and dremel tool.
 
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I don't have either a bench grinder or a belt. I use a disc and die grinders. Forge to shape and remove the rest.
 
I haven't used my stone wheel bench grinder since I got my KMG. I use the KMG for just about everything. A small wheel attachment allows you to get into tight spaces.
 
One other perspective on buffing machines: You know how they say a dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp one as unreasonable force is required to make a dull one one cut, which can lead to a drastic slip? Apply this to buffers. Why not get one with a decent amount of power (mine is two h.p., many guys use 1 h.p. and stronger wiltons, etc.) and give the task the careful attitude and utter concentration it deserves? If you are regularly stalling out your low - powered buffing unit, perhaps you either: A., need a bigger machine as this one is not pulling it's weight and is frustrating you or B., definitely need to spend time honing your buffing skills as you should not be catching edges like this. Do like wayne goddard and build a guard over the wheel that hugs the top of it so objects cannot be propelled all the way around the wheel and back into you. A good buffer is a good investment - I almost never use a bench grinder but it can be useful to me for removing forging scale.
Just my .02
 
i got a bench grinder with 10'' wheels and i use it some. i dont regret having it. course i dont have much else! i'm like everyone else i want a KMG. wonder if i could sell a kidney or something and get one.

jake
 
i have a small 1 inch belt sander /disc sander and a drill press but i also bought a spindle sanding kit for my drill press. the spindle sanding kit is excellent for any inside curve to sand or grind, finger grooves sand out perfect.kellyw
 
They make all sorts of sizes and shapes.

Here (for example) are loose cotton flannel wheels in the 4" offering.
http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/loose.htm

I really like dry loose flannel wheels for handle buffing.

Oh, I noticed the neon green highlighted question... You can split belts as thin as you want more or less within reason, and if the platen is truly removeable you have the space for slack belt ops. I do not have that specific grinder so you have to see what removeable platen really entails when you get it on your doorstep. The platen might come out but there might still not be clearance. I dunno.
 
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