Grinder Questions

I

ilikethisknife

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Feb 1, 2012
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My name is Jack, I am 13 years old and have been making knives for a year and a half. I have used a harbor freight 1x30 belt sander until it just doesn't hardly work at all. I am now in the zone for upgrade and want some opinion from other knifemakers who can help. I have been mainly looking at the Kalamazoo 1x42 and the Grizzly 2x72. I have enough to buy the Kalamazoo but was wondering if it would be better to wait and save up for the grizzly. Any comments wanted. Thanks
 
I started out with the 1x42 and while it works its far from ideal. the 1 inch wide belt makes it harder to get nice grinds vs a 2 inch belt. I still use my 1x42 all the time however. Mostly for handles. The stock platen on it is also crap you will need to make your own to replace it.
 
The Craftsman 2x42, though it doesn't approach a 2x72 in any way, is still a huge step up from the HF 1x30. I own both, and I couldn't imagine trying to do an actual grind on the 1x30, while the 2x42 works like a charm, even with the stock platen (which I'll soon be upgrading).
 
If you go with the craftsman, put a glass platen on first thing. Make sure to get it square with the belt regardless of how that lines up with the metal platen. Personally, if it's not going to be a crippling wait, I'd hold off until you can get the grizzly, 2x72 opens up a big variety of belts well suited to knife making. 2x42 is better than 1x30 but it's still very limited for metal work. Obviously 1x42 could just use the wider belts and a splitter.

I spent almost two years with a 2x42 craftsman, made a lot of knives and learned a lot. One of the things I learned is that the ability to slow down your grinder by pulley or electronic control is invaluable. Add on the much better selection of belts for 2x72 and the fact that in terms of cost per metal removed they're cheaper and it gets more and more attractive. I don't know how I could have done it, but I wish I'd upgraded sooner.
 
ILIKE,

Welcome to the forum. I am assuming you have your parents permission and they know you are posting here. It would be a great help if you could post what state you are from as it is possible to set up some sort of shop visit with your parent/s that may help you answer many of your questions. I advise saving your pennies like we did to get a full size grinder. It is worth it in the long run. If you cannot wait and can only afford one less expensive grinder I would recommend a 9" disc. I used one exclusively for almost 18 years. I finally bit the belt, and made a 2x72 a couple of years ago. 2x72 is what I would recommend if you can. Also buy one that can be modified to accept the various attachments you will want to use in the future. a KMG, Bader TW90 or burr-king would be better. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard someone say I wish I had waited and got the better grinder.
 
Yes, my parents know and allow. I live in Springfield Missouri, and I went to The Ozark Forge Knifemakers Workshop learning a couple tricks and techniques being "sponsered" by Burr King and Mr. Tom McGinnis. I am in not in an insane hurry to get a grinder, but I would like to get one in the near future. My problem is money, not having much of an income it takes a long time to get such a large amount of money. I am already a little past half on the grizzly, but a better grinder such as a burr king or bader are in the thousands of dollars.
 
Understand were you are coming from. Glad you have had a chance to get some exposure. That helps a lot. It us easy for us to make a recommendation when we have most if the tools we need. Notice I said most, there is always something else that will make the process just a little easier. I am working with a young man who is in the same boat as you. He frequents the forum as thegeek???. Maybe he will see this and chime in with his experiences. Don't know how long you have been lurking but would recommend you reading all the stickies at the top if the shoptalk forum. Good luck and keep asking questions.
 
Remyrw said:
If you go with the craftsman, put a glass platen on first thing. Make sure to get it square with the belt regardless of how that lines up with the metal platen. Personally, if it's not going to be a crippling wait, I'd hold off until you can get the grizzly, 2x72 opens up a big variety of belts well suited to knife making. 2x42 is better than 1x30 but it's still very limited for metal work. Obviously 1x42 could just use the wider belts and a splitter.

I spent almost two years with a 2x42 craftsman, made a lot of knives and learned a lot. One of the things I learned is that the ability to slow down your grinder by pulley or electronic control is invaluable. Add on the much better selection of belts for 2x72 and the fact that in terms of cost per metal removed they're cheaper and it gets more and more attractive. I don't know how I could have done it, but I wish I'd upgraded sooner.
Click to expand...

I've been able to find pretty much every belt available for 2x72 in 2x42 at Supergrit, from felt, to structured abrasive, to surface finishing. And of course, ceramic belts.
 
Well, hot dang, here I am. :D

I have an extremely small budget, and so I just decided that a grinder is out of the question. I use a Magicut file and am transitioning out of stock removal into forging. It seems like a better use of my time and limited materials. The file works fine and I can work up a sweat in a hurry with it. I then move to draw filing to clean everything up. If there is anything you want to know about how I operate on a low budget, just ask.
 
Turns out the only day dad and I were available was Friday, and it turns out that is members only day.
 
Hey Jack, you take more care with your spelling and grammar than a lot of young dudes on the net do, (older ones too for that matter) and I applaud that. You've also clearly stated your question and situation. Also a plus. I wish there was a three-wheel machine in the same price range as the Grizzly that I could recommend to you. The closest thing in price I can think of is probably a Pheer single speed grinder. Maybe check those out. They are new on the market, but those who have bought them so far seem to be happy.

There are problems with the Grizzly. It's tracking is not that great unless fixed up, it's not great for hollow grinding, the tool rest and the platen are both a bit wimpy, it's too fast, not very versatile, can't easily be retrofitted to variable later on, and you can't look down the platen which I hate. This describes most two wheel grinders, to me.

But, 2x72 is the way to go. If you lived near me, I'd help you build one on a low budget scrounging basis. Maybe someone nearby could help in this regard.
 
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t_davis925 said:
I've been able to find pretty much every belt available for 2x72 in 2x42 at Supergrit, from felt, to structured abrasive, to surface finishing. And of course, ceramic belts.
Click to expand...

In general, yes, specific models... I don't know, I guess if you call and ask belt by belt you can find out exactly what they have, but the site doesn't tell you. When I belt shop I want to purchase a specific belt, not "60 grit ceramic". Generally speaking the options for 2x42 are slimmer. That does seem to be changing, but the selection is still much greater for 2x72.
 
Remyrw said:
In general, yes, specific models... I don't know, I guess if you call and ask belt by belt you can find out exactly what they have, but the site doesn't tell you. When I belt shop I want to purchase a specific belt, not "60 grit ceramic". Generally speaking the options for 2x42 are slimmer. That does seem to be changing, but the selection is still much greater for 2x72.
Click to expand...

Yes, the 2x72 lineup is much, much more extensive. However, the main few types of 2x42 belts are covered by trugrit and they are listed pretty specifically. No guessing when I ordered. Here is a screenshot.
IMAGE_1000001049.PNG
 
Welcome Jack,

It is good to see you have your parents behind you. Try and see if you and a parent can visit a maker near you to learn some skills, and use some equipment. Such a trip can also lead to materials being offered, and HT services being available for free. I know there are a lot of guys in the area around you. You might want to look in the back of a "KNIVES" annual book and see who is in Springfield or nearby.

Anyone near Jack want to offer a shop visit.

Jack,
A suggestion on how to get started on Bladeforums is to make a simple design, like a drop point hunter, and post the sketches here. After some critique and any adjustments, someone on this forum will likely volunteer to cut out the profile in the steel you want, and then you can make the knife with simple tools and sanding blocks. When it is ready for HT, someone will offer to do that for you,too.
This way you get a lot of help and guidance as well as make a good knife.
Having you Dad or Mom post on your thread is a good idea so we all can know that you have their backing.
 
Thanks to all of you for responding to Jack's question. Making knives is his passion right now. His Mother and I totally support his hobby. We are both amazed by what he has accomplished so far. I help him whenever I can but he truly has a talent for this stuff that I don't posess. I truly appreciate you all and any advice you can give him.
 
Scott,
Good that you are working with him. Those times will make a big part of how he grows up, and what he remembers of his dad when he is older.

See if you can find a maker nearby, and set up a shop visit. There is a book put out every year called "Knives 2012" ( or whatever the years was). They are readily available from most knife suppliers as well as Amazon and ebay. Get a recent copy ( last 3-5 years) and look in the back. It has a state by state listing of makers.

A real good idea would be to attend the Hammer-in in Branson this Sept 29-30. In a few years, if jack keeps with knife making, he can attend the Moran School of Bladesmithing ( or both of you can together) in Hope Arkansas. This is the top place to learn from the best instructors in the world.

Here are some other roads to explore in finding supplies and people near you;
http://ozarkknifemakers.com/
http://www.sunfishforge.com/ruralmissouri04-hanson.html
http://mulkeyknives.com/vcom/index.php
 
Stacy linked to Don Hanson's site I see- I have no idea how he is about shop visits or anything, but if I was you I'd find out. That would be a great place to see AMAZING work being done.
 
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