Grinder guidance please help.

slimshaneee

slimshaneee

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Jun 24, 2008
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Hi! I've got a craftsman 2 x 42 belt sander. It runs FAST. It has a disc attachment on the side.

I have a few questions.

I only have 1 belt that came on it. Would I be better off taking the money I would spend stocking up on belts and use it on a better suited grinder? I will have about $400 to spend on a grinder soon.

I am going to be doing alot of handle work and smaller fixed blades to get started with knifemaking. What grinder would you recommend? I saw a 1 x 42 that looked good made by Wilton.

I'm an electrician so if there is any cheaper grinder that would allow an affordable speed controller to be hooked up I could do that.

How about that grizzly 2 x 72? Would that be more of the same like my little 2 x 42 craftsman?

Anyone use just a 1 x 42 for everything? I sort of like the idea of a smaller machine that runs slower, space is at sort of a premium.

If you know of a variable speed, easily purchased $400-500 set up please let me know what you are using, what your favorite brand belts are, grits. I would really appreciate any and all opinions.

Thanks in advance!
Shane:D
 
I also have the craftsman. I buy my belts from trugrit.com, as they have a pretty good selection of 2x42. I'd suggest buying 30 or 40 dollars worth of belts, making a half dozen knives, and then you're in the ballpark (300 of your cash left over, plus 800 or so from your six knives) of a KMG. If you've got the craftsman, the grizzly isn't too much of a step up, IMO.
 
Going from memory, I think a Coote without motor is around $4-500, and with your background I would think you could scrounge a motor and pulleys or VFD for cheap. I also think you can run 1 x 42 belts on your Craftsman if that is something you want to do for handle shaping, etc.
 
slimshaneee said:
Hi! I've got a craftsman 2 x 42 belt sander. It runs FAST. It has a disc attachment on the side.

I have a few questions.

I only have 1 belt that came on it. Would I be better off taking the money I would spend stocking up on belts and use it on a better suited grinder? I will have about $400 to spend on a grinder soon.

I am going to be doing alot of handle work and smaller fixed blades to get started with knifemaking. What grinder would you recommend? I saw a 1 x 42 that looked good made by Wilton.

I'm an electrician so if there is any cheaper grinder that would allow an affordable speed controller to be hooked up I could do that.

How about that grizzly 2 x 72? Would that be more of the same like my little 2 x 42 craftsman?

Anyone use just a 1 x 42 for everything? I sort of like the idea of a smaller machine that runs slower, space is at sort of a premium.

If you know of a variable speed, easily purchased $400-500 set up please let me know what you are using, what your favorite brand belts are, grits. I would really appreciate any and all opinions.

Thanks in advance!
Shane:D
Click to expand...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=496583

I myself as well as many other have built one of these they work really well and the cost depends on how cheap you can find your motor and the attachments you want. Really good machine that can be made for around the price of the grizzly and variable speed via pully system. here is a link to pics of some built. I welded mine personally because it saved me time but from what folks say its just as sturdy with the clamping system.


http://www.mickleyknives.com/html/grinder_builds.html
 
With the amount you will have, definately get a Coote and a used motor.:thumbup:
 
I started with the Craftsman and you can make some nice grinds with it. There are quite a few makers here that use one and good success can be had with it. If you are going to be making small blades I would stick with it as it is a good place to start. I have moved up and I made Tracy's no weld grinder, but I welded it and made a cool multi tool arm to go with it. Here is a link to it: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=630964
 
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The Craftsman is variable speed - press harder to slow down.:D

I just upgraded to a KMG, so I have lots of coarse (36, 40, 60, 80) grit belts that I won't need.... email or PM me if interested.

Also, you can run 1 x 42" belts on your 2" x 42" craftsman.
 
I have the same grinder. I am making some nice grinds on it. It is a good grinder to start with, but If you can swing a KMG then by all means do it. I wish I could swing for the parts to make a no weld grinder.
 
patriqq said:
I just upgraded to a KMG, so I have lots of coarse (36, 40, 60, 80) grit belts that I won't need.... email or PM me if interested.

Also, you can run 1 x 42" belts on your 2" x 42" craftsman.
Click to expand...

I never thought about running 1" belts on mine... I can see where that would be handy for handle-shaping.

Patrick, pm sent about your un-needed belts.
 
I would recommend saving a little longer and getting a coote 2x72 . I set mine up for about $500, and it serves me well.

I had a craftsman too, and I did a run of 4 knives in D2 to pay for my coote and everything worked out. I have never used a kmg so I don't know how big a step up it is but my coote does almost everything I need it to.

-Josiah
 
Get the Coote, I first looked at the Griz, but it runs way to fast as well, also get a small wheel to go with it they are great for handles.
Cheers Ron.
 
I've pretty much decided to stick with the 2 x42 for awhile. I'll probably cut some stuff out of my way to gain some clearance in a few areas.

I ordered some good belts in 2x42 and 1x42 from trugrit. I don't plan on selling any knives for at least a couple of years. I'm just going to get my skills going making knives for family and friends :D

Thanks for all the great tips. I hadn't thought of the 1x42 belts!
 
slimshaneee said:
I've pretty much decided to stick with the 2 x42 for awhile. I'll probably cut some stuff out of my way to gain some clearance in a few areas.
Click to expand...

Right on. You can take off the sideplate and cut away nearly all of the top cover. This will allow for much better access to the slack area of the belt, and you can use the top "contact" wheel for mild inside curves. Just take care to keep it clean, so you don't end up with gunk slopping around between the belt and the drive/contact wheels. I took a pic of mine but I can't find the darn cord to connect my camera to my laptop :rolleyes:

Like you, I'm sticking with my 2x42 for now. Yeah, it runs fast but I'm getting used to that. In fact, I kind of like it. I just have to gentle and know when to step away and finish my bevels and handles with hand-tools before they get messed up. I don't think I'll step up, grinder-wise, until I can afford a really nice 2x72 with variable speed.


-JT
 
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