Help me - Buy a Belt grinder

Darksky

Darksky

Joined
Nov 21, 2009
Messages
141
I would like to buy a 2 inch belt grinder. I have seen a few that are pretty poor. And some (Wilton 41002) that seem good. What do you use? Has anyone got the Craftsman 21513 ?

What is the best all around? Is 2 inch most useful?

What belt grinder/sander do you recommend for a fledgling knife maker who is not too wealthy?

Thanks, Bradley

I looked back 10 pages before posting a question. Sorry if this topic has been beaten to death. If so, please post a link.
 
Here is a link to a page on my website, in which I have several popular belt grinders listed, with pics and text for comparison. You will have to Google them separately for prices. The Coote and Grizzly grinders are on the cheap end of the spectrum, with the Grizz being cheapest and roughest operating. However, with some modification, the Grizz has turned out many fine knives in it's own right and is still a lot of machine for the money.
http://www.prometheanknives.com/shop-techniques-3/grinders

If your budget is less than $400 or so, I would also suggest a 1x42 belt grinder with at least a 1/2 horse motor. Here is a link to one that I learned to flat grind with:
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=44884&cat=1,43072

This was handy for me, as I already had a few fractional HP motors kicking around, and it was easy to set up. I riveted a steel plate to the worktable, and shimmed up the tracking arm a little... it's sturdy, I've been using it for six years now.
 
I just got the Craftsman 2 x 42 as a present but haven't used it. There are a few on here who have and do use it but from what I gather it takes some getting used to. My current plan since I'm new to this is to use it to get the bevels somewhat close and then finish them off with files. Partly because I don't mind doing the file work and partly because I want to build the skills up for using them. Maybe after I get a few dozen knives under my belt I may decide to go for something like the no weld I just played with it a little bit so far and I can see how if you're not careful you can take off quite a bit very quickly.

You can look into making a no weld grinder that someone posted above.
 
Darsky I was in your boots last december wanting to make knives,what I did was bought a 1x30 and regreted it. If I was gonna do it again Ide just buy a kmg clone bite the bullet and the reast will be history. After I had my 1x30 for 2 months I went through at least 100 belts as they wear out fast, so really ended up costing me more. With my kmg clone 2x72 I have now cost me about 1400 with a flat platten ,1,2 ,and 3 inch wheels and a 10 inch for hollow grinding. I spent about 400 dollars on belts in a wide assortment and still have and use every one kinda weird I havent wore out one belt completely. Some are plugged with epoxy but still grind steel lol. I dont think you would regret it and the investment is money well spent as it went from taking 15 hours to about 7 hours per knife from start to finish . I think Ive shaved off a few hours since them but the file work im doing takes time.
 
No doubt some of the linked threads talk about the Craftsman 2x42. It's a decent starter machine, IMO. I've learned to make some pretty good knives with mine, in spite of the fact that it's blazing fast. I think it's better than any of the 1" grinders.

Made w/ the craftsman:
100_2855-crop-442x1024.jpg
 
AcridSaint said:
Best advice, in my opinion.
Click to expand...

+2

But if you can't a craftsman 2x42 will work. Like Jason said it will take some getting used to. I am making decent knives and have sold enough to almost have enough for a used BaderIII. Good luck. You can make a nice knife with the craftsman. You just need to do some simple modifications to it and it will only set you back $150 give or take.
 
Hey, Frank. Are you still looking into that Bader? I thought you'd have snagged it up by now.

--nathan
 
I would think it would depend on how serious you are at making knives. If you only endeavor to do part time here and there, what is the point in spending money on a 2000k grinder that won't see it's full potential used? As far as I'm concerned, the KMG and BaderIII are beyond simple hobbyist knife making, they are machines to grind a living out of (from what I've seen of them anyways). If you are seriously on a budget, I would suggest going with something like the Grizzly grinder or the 2x42 mentioned. There is always room to upgrade in the future if that is your goal. That is just my opinion though, it is always good to get the best you can afford.
 
Long ago I made a 1" x 42" grinder out of a piece of plywood, a 1/3 hp motor and an idler wheel which cost very little and served me well on my first dozen knives, at least until I could afford a used Burr King. Surprising what you can do with very little. It's still in my shop and I use it for slack belt sanding.
 
R.C.Reichert said:
I would think it would depend on how serious you are at making knives. If you only endeavor to do part time here and there, what is the point in spending money on a 2000k grinder that won't see it's full potential used? As far as I'm concerned, the KMG and BaderIII are beyond simple hobbyist knife making, they are machines to grind a living out of (from what I've seen of them anyways). If you are seriously on a budget, I would suggest going with the Grizzly grinder. There is always room to upgrade in the future if that is your goal. That is just my opinion though, it is always good to get the best you can afford.
Click to expand...


I guess that depends on your definition of a hobby maker and just how serious the hobby is. ;) I'm a VERY part-time hobby maker. I work 40-50 hours a week at my regular job, and I'm lucky to get out to the shop 2-3 times during the week when I have deadlines coming up. I saved, got a bonus at work, and sprung for a grinder I'd been lusting after for years. Sure it was expensive, but this a "hobby" I'll be doing the rest of my life.

My first grinder was a Grizzly, and I don't regret that. I just couldn't afford anything bigger at the time. Of course, by the time you've laid down $600 on the Grizz, you're over 1/2 way to a good KMG setup.

--nathan
 
silver_pilate said:
Hey, Frank. Are you still looking into that Bader? I thought you'd have snagged it up by now.

--nathan
Click to expand...

Nathan I had the cash in hand and a small emergency came up and used up more than half. The owner was cool and will wait for me. I should have enough by this week or next. I am accepting donations. hehehe;)

Once I get it, I still need to wire up for a 220 outlet.:(
 
Nah...just grab two long extension cords, plug them into two separate 110 outlets, wire them together and put a 220 plug on the end. It's simple math. 110+110=220. ;) :D

I'm glad the owner is cool and will hold it for you. I'd hate to see you miss out on that opportunity. You're gonna LOVE using that thing. I hate how Murphy always shows up to spoil the fun :rolleyes:.

--nathan
 
silver_pilate said:
I guess that depends on your definition of a hobby maker and just how serious the hobby is. ;) I'm a VERY part-time hobby maker. I work 40-50 hours a week at my regular job, and I'm lucky to get out to the shop 2-3 times during the week when I have deadlines coming up. I saved, got a bonus at work, and sprung for a grinder I'd been lusting after for years. Sure it was expensive, but this a "hobby" I'll be doing the rest of my life.

--nathan
Click to expand...

That's a good point.:D I guess it is all up to the individual...and how good they are at saving money.
 
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silver_pilate said:
I guess that depends on your definition of a hobby maker and just how serious the hobby is. ;) I'm a VERY part-time hobby maker. I work 40-50 hours a week at my regular job, and I'm lucky to get out to the shop 2-3 times during the week when I have deadlines coming up. I saved, got a bonus at work, and sprung for a grinder I'd been lusting after for years. Sure it was expensive, but this a "hobby" I'll be doing the rest of my life.

My first grinder was a Grizzly, and I don't regret that. I just couldn't afford anything bigger at the time. Of course, by the time you've laid down $600 on the Grizz, you're over 1/2 way to a good KMG setup.

--nathan
Click to expand...

I have to agree with Nathan from my experience. I tried out a 1x42 Wilton grinder for a bout a week and quickly decided i needed a KMG. I sold a Specialized Mountain Bike and around $2800 later I had a Variable speed KMG.

I have only completed 1 knife so far and have 3 others near completion. I just love doing this. I don't mind spending money on good tools. This has all transpired since April of this year!

I too have to wressle time away from work. 40-45 hour days, a 4 hour commute daily leaves little time for knife building. I put as much time is as possible and still be able to sleep a little.

Just remember if you invest to much in cheap grinder you will just replace them later. I know some people have put out beatiful knives on cheap grinders, but I feel thats not common. My 2c
 
When your time is limited , that is where the better machine really comes into play. Grinding steel with the 1x42 is slow , so your progression will take much more time.

I was at the point you were about 4 years ago , I bought a 1 x 42 , already burned up a 1 x 30 at that point , also bought a 4 x 36 ... soon after I came to my senses and bought the BIII with variable speed.

If you are going to do primarily flat grinds , go with the KMG , the platen on the Bader ( in my opinion ) sucks , the KMG is better. Or you could get the Bader and get the platen setup that Rob sells ( Beaumont Metals who sells the KMG ) for the Bader. A friend went that route , and that platen setup is far more useful.

KMG with step pulleys would be the way to go for starters if you can swing it.

Another budget option is the Coote.
 
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