harbor freight 1x30

[reiko1078]

I know I've seen other people asking about these little sanders so I thought I would give a little first hand account.
I picked one of these up about an hour ago. It's 39.99$ I bought three extra belts and a 1 year replacement plan. After a 20% off coup I paid about 42$

I bought this sander for sharpening knives and shaping handles. And I'm pretty happy with its performance out of the box. I fairly easily ground a swedge onto one of my junk flea market knives and messed around rounding the end of the handle profile. The belt can be stopped with enough pressure but it takes quite a bit. I also put a Sharp edge on the first knife I've made.

Now I admit I've never used any belt grinder/sanders other then this one but I'm very satisfied with my 42$ and I feel that with this, my angle grinder, and my pile of files ill be able to.create knives much easier.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Due to the price and availability, it is often the entry level grinder for many people. It isn't a KMG, but it will remove steel and wood a lot faster than a file and sandpaper. Get some good belts from a knife supplier or belt supplier ( , Jantz, TKS, True-grit, Klingspor, etc.). The HF belts aren't worth much.

Many knives have been built on a 1X30.