Help selecting an inexpensive grinder

P

Paul Weiss

Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
16
Hello,

I am trying to stay on budget and would like a little help on choosing an inexpensive grinder. I am just starting out so I have a budget of $150.

I have spoken with other very good knife makers about using a simple 1x42 grinder. Everyone seems to think this would be ok to start with.

I originally was looking at a Sears Craftsman 2 x 42 in. Belt/6 in. Disc Sander - $129 on sale for $119 but I realized that this is not a common belt size.

I am now looking at the Delta SA180 Shopmaster 1-Inch/8-Inch 1/3Horsepower Belt/Disc Sander - $129

I have also found the Grizzly G1013 Combination Sander 1" x 42" Belt 8" Disc
- $149.

The Grizzly has a 1/2 HP motor.


Does anyone have experience with the Delta or the Grizzly?


Thank you,
Paul
 
I have the Delta but think the Griz is a better good machine too. I plan on building a KMG clone as soon as I am able and the Delta will be used for handles.
It seems that most new knife makers on a budget have this same issue. I have been looking into expanding drum wheels that can be mounted onto a bench grinder so I can do hollow grinds.
 
I have a 2X42 Craftsman and it works well, getting belts is no problem online or on ebay. I think it has more than done its job. I'm saving for a KMG, but in the meantime it usually does most of what I ask of it and I'll keep it after I get a new one.
 
started with a 4x36 adn that didn't last long as there was little belt selection to be had then upgraded /side stepped to a 1X42 delta (boy i thought i was doing something there) least i could get all kinds of belts for it ( www.supergrit.com )
made a bunch of knives on it then later i found a deal on a KMG that i could not pass up on (deker made me buy it)

it was the best money i have yet spent in tools to get that KMG

guess im not much help or maybe i help by showing you can make lots of knives on a 1X42 it just takes lots of belts and time to do it
 
Get the Craftsman. Good tool for the money,just buy good belts from TruGrit or one of the others.Worked one of them for about 2 years and then gave it to another noob when I got my KMG.
 
Paul, trugrit.com has pretty much all the belts you would ever need to make knives with a 2x42. I personally only use 2 kinds of belts for everything I grind on my 2x72. I use a 50 grit ceramic and a 180 grit gator structured abrasive.
 
Want a Grizzly cheap. I have a used one. Few guard mods to make it easier to work with and what not. Think everything like rest and platen is still around. $60 and shipping. Includes some 42" belts and a stack of 30" that you can use on it also. I have a KMG and another 2" belt machine I set up to run KMG tooling arms, so I have little use for the little guy. Mostly taking up room here. It works OK and the disk is kinda handy but, I am going to get a big one so........
 
Hey IB, if no one else wants that grinder I might be interested. If Paul, or anyone else wantes it, sell it to them first, but if not shoot me an email at nwebb@unity.edu and we can talk about it. Thanks.

-Nate
 
OK, I will give him a bit to respond then it is yours. Its a good little unit, for the money. I just need more space. Jim
 
Thanks for all the great advice.

ib2v4u: Thank you so much, but I will have to pass as I have picked up the Sears 2x42.
 
ib2b4u. If metalhead doesn't get that sander I may be interested in it. I was looking into the Craftsman this week also. send me an email and let me know ok?

Larry
 
The sears 2x42 is an okay starter machine, it's what I use whenever I get the itch to make something. Use sharp belts and don't press too hard or else you can stall the machine, it hasn't been a real problem as long as I use new belts. Just discovered that trugrit stocks good belts for 2x42's, will be ordering some from them soon to see what works well.
 
http://www.supergrit.com/
Supergrit has belts and disks that fit any size machine I have heard of, and in zirconia, ceramic, cork etc. I use my 4x36 as much as my 2x72 and I think that the quality of belts is more important than the size and horse power of the machine.
 
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