Grinder Help

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kybladesmith

Joined
Aug 23, 2011
Messages
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I need to buy a belt grinder/sander. I had on of the 1x30 from HF and it bit the dust. Ihave made a few knives and I want to get serious about this. I like the 1x42 Kalamazoo. I need a sander that I can profile and grind flat grinds and bevels on my knives. Will this sander let me do that. What do I need to buy. I got 250 dollars to spend. What do I need to buy. Give me some suggestions please. I need one fast. Thanks.
 
If $250 is all you have to spend, then it makes it rough. Looks like you have two options: the 2x42 Craftsman ($136 at my local Sears store) or the 1x42 Kalamazoo ($236 at Jantz). Both have 1/3rd HP motors. However, the Kalamazoo uses the smaller 1" wide belts. According to the description on Jantz's website, the platen can not be removed from the Kalamazoo. The only advantage I see with the Kalamazoo over the Craftsman is the 1750 rpm motor. But for me, that wouldn't be enough to choose it over the Craftsman.

If it were me, I'd buy the Craftsman 2x42 and spend the rest on some Norton Blaze, 3M Gator and some high grit AO belts from Trugrit.
 
Another alternative... keep your eye on Craigslist and other online sites for a 2x72 grinder.

Or, buy a grinder in the box kit, like I did, and when more money comes in buy more parts for it. You should figure on a grand total of at least $700 for a GIB fully fitted out, unless you cut corners.
 
I think the Craftsman 2x42 is the standard for an inexpensive grinder. If you get prolific, you will want a 2x72 grinder with a way to change the belt speed ($800=$4500).
 
How much of a hurry are you? I'd take tryppyr's advice--watch craigslist, ebay, or local auctions. It's unlikely that you will find a 2x72 in your price range (I've been watching for years) but you can find a 2x42 or 1x42 easily. I picked up my Craftsman 2x42 for $35 off of Ebay several years ago, and it's the older 3 wheel version with 1 HP motor. I see the older Dayton/Rockwell 1x42's often on craigslist, ebay, and at farm auctions.

Heck, if you lived close I'd sell you my extra Craftsman 1x42 cheap.
 
I agree completely with Tryppyr and NStricker on this - I have a 2 x 42, and it works well for the most part. Personally I don;t think it can be beat for the price. I recently got a GIB, though and man what a difference. With the Craftsman, your biggest issue is going to be working with a light touch because of the speed. That, and the platen that comes with it SUCKS. At minimum, you'll want to add a pyroceram plate on it, which helps a lot.
 
With that budget go for the Craftsman 2 x 42 and also get ya a 5 speed table top drill press from HF if you don't have one. You will still be under budget and that drill press will really help. Besides drilling holes ya can use it for sanding and polishing.
 
I wouldn't get the Kalamazoo for main grinding.. I find it very awkward and weak. It's a great little finishing sander, or sharpener.. but in hindsight I would have saved up for something better.
 
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