first attempt at using a belt sander

S

Steve Meyer

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Apr 25, 2016
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My first in progress attempt at using a belt sander. its a cheapo 4x36 from harbor freight seems to work but other than free handing it Im not sure a good way to grind the bevel on it? I'm hoping I can clean this up some but may be a lost cause, its only up to 80 grit belt so it has a bunch of finish work to be done? Its just practice using a mystery metal lawnmower blade at any rate.
 
enjoy the hf while it lasts. they are made for wood and metal fines tend to ruin them quick. the lawn mower blade is probably 5160 but far from heat treated to knife blade, most are ht to around 50 or less around 59 to 60 makes a good knife.
 
This is where I left off of the practice.

I actually have some 1084 on its way now, so hopefully can make or attempt to make some real knives. I don't see this hb grinder lasting long but it only needs to last a little while. my funds aren't where I can blow a large amount on a pro belt grinder at the moment :)
 
yes I know I had to start out on a viel 1x42, still have it still works. it has made a lot of knives and the cost wasn't much over 100.00 including1 horse motor I bought at a flea mkt.
 
Funny I just got my 1084 in, and I'm looking at it and I don't want this knife design for my first knife out of it lol.
 
I got the 1X30 from harbor freight and modified the work plate to tilt up so I can run my bevel jig at an angle. I got the one you showed as well and use it mostly for shaping handles. All the same, the blade looks nice.
 
I thought about getting that one thought long about it. The only reason I got the one I did is because of the 3/4th HP over the 1/3rd.
 
I went ahead and attempted a HT on my test knife from the mower blade. I found heat control with my brake drum forge was relatively easy so I brought it up just to just where it lost magnetism then just a tiny bit more. I was surprised at how dull red it was at that point. But the entire blade was evenly heated. I dunked it water, since I didn't think it would work at all. At this point it skates a file but that's all I know lol.
 
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