harbor freight belt grinder

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beiter

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Jan 19, 2015
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Has anyone used the Harbor Freight 4x36" belt grinder for knife making? Seems like a good deal for $60. I'm wondering if it will do the job and if I can get the right belts needed.
 
I have one I use for leather work. I have used the disk with scotch bright for flats on knives, but honestly, it's not a good machine for the job. Just my opinion.
 
of all the cheap equipment I've purchased the HF 4x36 is the worst, least useful. I sand handle scales flat on it but that's the only use I get out of mine now. I do like that it isn't incredibly fast and with very little pressure you can really slow it down too. I can't imagine trying to grind a blade on it but I've seen guys who do it. My disc is so screwed up I've never been able to use it. I have a HF 1x30 and a HF Drill Press so I'm not against using HF equipment and I got pretty good use out of the 1x30 before upgrading to a 2x42 and 2x72 grinder and I still use my HF drill press which has been a good machine for me. Oh and belts for the 4x36 seem to be limited and expensive.
 
ah.. ok maybe not a good purchase to grind blades with. Looked like a good way to enter into knife making that might be a step up from a file jig.

Thank you for the input guys
 
beiter said:
ah.. ok maybe not a good purchase to grind blades with. Looked like a good way to enter into knife making that might be a step up from a file jig.

Thank you for the input guys
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1x30 would be better, or 2x42 would be the step I'd take from a file. 2x42 is where I'd go next.
 
I've ground a few blades on a 4x36. It works as long as there's no plunge line. You can get higher grit belts for it, I have some but haven't tried them (a 2x42 fell into my lap as soon as I ordered them).

I agree, 2x42 is where it's at for the low-cost hobbyist. One thing to consider is how much money you'll sink into belts with a 1x30 or 4x36. When you finally cave and get a 2x42 you'll be sitting on $100 in belts.
 
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