Grizzly Knife Belt Sander

R

rlinger

Joined
Mar 29, 2002
Messages
4,591
Anyone using this sander (Grizzly model G1015)? I'd sure like to have some opinions of it for knife making. Is the contact wheel large enough for hollow grinding hunting and kitchen size blades?

The cataloge does not say what rpm the buffer runs at but it looks like its not geared down and the belt runs at 3600 rpm. If the motor is 'brush' type it could be controlled by a motor speed control. If it is an 'induction' motor it probably won't work well with a motor speed control.

Any advise about this 2 X 72 inch sander will be appreciated.

Thanks; Roger
 
I have one, and it seems to work fine for me. I put a new platen on it, but other than that I haven't made any adjustments, it tracks very well with most belts. I have no complaints, for the price I paid I think it was well worth it. I have never used any other machines, so I have nothing to compare it too. Some people seem to love their grizzlies, others hate them. I like mine, but I have decided that the next tool I will buy will be a nicer variable speed grinder.
Kyle Fuglesten
 
Tell me about the platen. Did you replace it because the original was not good enough? Where did you get the new platen and how much???

Thanks for the feedback; Roger
 
The grinders themselves are ok , but personaly I made my own untill I could get a Bader B-3 , I have 2 homemade ones and a Bader now and each one is a great asset ,But I built the 2 for less than 250.00 for both includeing the machine work on them :: ;) :D
 
tbark, do you have any pics of your home-built grinders that you could share with us?
 
A Griz was my first grinder.

It paid for most of the other equipment in my shop, including a variable speed KMG1.

The Grizzly runs at 1750 RPMs. Some kind of stiffener for the adjusting arm helps settle the tracking down. The only change that is actually required is a 10" wheel to allow grinding from the left side. With the factory 8 inch wheel your left had runs into the motor, making it verrrrry tough to grind the other side of the blade :) The 10" wheels are available from Grizzly for $25.00.

I eventually got in contact with Rob Frink. He built me a new shaft, and now the machine runs the grinder on the right and a double-faced 9 Inch disk sander on the left. I added step pulleys to drive the shaft and this allows me to slow the machine down for more delicate work.

The Griz is a tough workhorse. I still use mine every time I work in the shop. Exceptional value to get a new maker started.

Do a search on this forum for "Grizzly" and spend an evening reading about it.

Dave Evans
Tenino, WA
 
My Grizzly is four years old and is used almost daily. I would also recommend getting the 10" wheel as the motor will get in the way as you grind to your left with the 8". I have not made any modifications to the grinder. A good grinder for the price.
 
RL, I bought a griz about 6 weeks ago.The platen replacement and the 10" contact wheel are musts, IMHO.

I hear that a Pyroceram platen liner is the way to go. Its aavailable through Steve at: knives4u3@juno.com. There is more on this in another thread.

Also, take a look at http://www.redacorn.org/brome/equip_grinder.html.
Brome McCreary did some interesting mods that I am going to incorporate.

Bottom line, a great tool for the price and a good way to get some experience on your way up to a VS grinder. Even if you move up, this will always be a useful tool. Plus, Griz service is great.

Bob
 
I use the 8" wheel most of the time, I have the ten inch wheel, but I am still learning the feel of hollow grinding, and the bigger wheel is harder to get the hang of. I have ground blades up to 14" overall length, and I had no problems running into the motor. I actually have a problem when I am grinding near the tip and rotating the blade down, I bumb the table I built for the grinder. IF you get use to it, you dont need the 10" wheel. IT is easier to grind on thick stock with a smaller wheel, although this probably doesnt make the best knife. It will help you to get the feel of your hollows.

For the platen, all I did was take some adhesive and stuck a 2"x7" piece of precision ground 01 that I hardened, and didn't temper right on top of the old platen. The old one is too soft, and it wears away, and doesnt stay flat. I plan on putting a glass platen on eventually because it runs smoother.
ANy other questions, go ahead and email me.
Kyle
 
Thank you for that concise responce. You wrote it so well I could almost see your setup. I understand how you made your platen and it is something I am tooled up to do.

I'll probably be getting the Grizz. With all the money I've been putting out lately for this stuff 1100 or 1200 bucks right now for a grinder is out for the near future. I just gave the UPS man $450 Friday for supplies, another bunch of bucks for a new kiln, and it just goes on and on.

I appreciate you sharing your experience with the Grizzly.

Roger
 
Thanks a bunch for the advise from all. I will be sure to get the 10" contact wheel and make a better platen of good tool steel.

Roger
 
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