Gathering equipment (Grinder question)

Shaw Blades · Nov 9, 2011

Please excuse any terminology that may be incorrect.

I am trying to piece together some equipment. Right now I'm building a workbench and have gotten a stellar deal on a drill press. Next I'm thinking bandsaw and belt grinder/sander. Do you think this harbor freight grinder would suffice (for now)? Looking to do scandi and flat grinds but I imaging if I want to do convex I would need something with a slack belt on it?

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-x-36-inch-belt-6-inch-disc-sander-97181.html

Adjustable 80 grit belt sands inside and outside curves
Reliable 3/4 HP motor prevents stalling
Cast aluminum work table and 6" diameter disc
Table tilts to 60° and can be repositioned for use with belt or disc
Safety switch with miter gauge
Steel motor housing
Maximum speed: 1780 RPM (disc)/1150 FPM (belt)

Amps: 1.9 (no load), 8.6 (startup)
120V, 60 Hz
Disc: 6" diameter
Belt: 36" L x 4" W
Overall dimensions: 14" L x 19-7/8" W x 12-3/4" H
Shipping Weight: 41.56 lbs.

12345678910 · Nov 9, 2011

s2f said:
Do you think this harbor freight grinder would suffice (for now)?

Reliable 3/4 HP motor prevents stalling

Amps: 1.9 (no load), 8.6 (startup)

I had one of those & it stalled at the slightest touch.

More like 1/5 HP, not 3/4 if you go by the amperage info.

I pulled it apart to mount a different motor, it's still in pieces somewhere.

Not worth that cost in my opinon.
$5 at a Garage sale? I'd buy it for the disc sander

jawilder · Nov 9, 2011

Go with the Craftsman 2x42 if you want one better suited for making knives. Then you can sell a few to buy a big boy 2x72 grinder

CAD679 · Nov 9, 2011

I have one and it works ok. Harbor Freight started putting 3/4 hp motors on them instead of the 1/3 hp motor they used to come with. I got mine for $49.00 on sale.

Brett

Shaw Blades · Nov 9, 2011

Thanks everyone. The craftsman seems like a better option for sure (for now).

Jason Fry · Nov 9, 2011

I agree, craftsman 2x42 is the way to go for an affordable beginning grinder. I'm up to 176 knives on my craftsman, and am purchasing my way through a grinder build.

Shaw Blades · Nov 9, 2011

http://www.youtube.com/user/500dollarknifeshop#g/u

I also found this for some inexpensive but seemingly useful mods. I'll probably make the buy this weekend and start tearing up some old files.

Thanks again.

b_rogers · Nov 9, 2011

I bought the craftsman as my first grinder, so far it does the job for cheap.

Justin King · Nov 9, 2011

Not sure how 1.9 amps/120 volts can be made to come out to 3/4 hp any way you add it up. I bought one of the HF 4x36 units for woodworking and was disappointed to find that it had plastic wheels that were out of round, not to mention being under powered. The disk was more useful to me than the belt sander part was, but not by much.