I need help deciding on a 1" belt sander

Aeromat209

Aeromat209

Joined
Jun 26, 2008
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223
I bought the Lansky ceramic sharpening kit and the diamond Lansky kit , the flat sharpening stone coarse and fine using honing oil ,bought the Japanese wet stone set you hold the knife stationery and stroke with the handled stone , All used with varying results . I was at the gun & knife show yesterday a guy had a 1: belt sander with three sanding belts 1X30" and a leather stripe all for 189. out the door . He put a great sharp edge on my EDC of ATS-34 i could not get sharp enough with the kits I own! I saw online a Kalamazoo belt sander 1X42" for 279 and had numerous great 5 star reviews all from people that had bought the Harbor Freight cheapo and spoke of how all the plastic parts broke and rattled .
When all I had was a few Tactical folders the Lansky system was able to touch up the edge well but now with 20 some different size and blade material pocket and fixed bushcraft knives I am looking for a faster more efficient sharpening system . I don't know if the learning curve is shorter using a belt sander but the salesman was pitching that angle hard . While I was at the table several knife vendors ,makers were dropping off their knives for last minute sharpening !

Has anyone here had good luck with the Harbor Freight $49 1x30 belt sander or is there a better value belt sander available maybe the Kalamazoo one for $279 shipped

I also need to know what grit sanding belts I shoud buy plus the leather strope.
 
I've used the HF 1x30 to put working edges on a number of knives and axes. I usually take them to 220 grit and stop. The belt speed is high and it is easy to soften the edge by getting it hot. Also, any screw up is magnified and happens really fast. If you can find a variable speed grinder. One that you can slow down, I think that would be your best bet.
 
I have the Kalamazoo and highly recommend it. The speed is vg for sharpening knives, where some of the others are much to fast.
I use the following belts
220,320,400,800 grit. Also use different micron belts and finish up on a leather belt with white or green compound. Mirror finish and wittles hair. Much faster then most other methods.
You will not be sorry with the Kalamazoo.
Ron
 
Have you considered the WorkSharp Ken Onion? It's 3/4" by 12", variable speed, comes with 5 different grit belts, is very light and portable, and designed for knife sharpening. It's less powerful than a 1 x 30 sander, but that's a good thing. Plus it really is "fast" on full speed, which I almost never use. I'm loving mine.

Brian.
 
Have you considered the KO Work Sharp belt sharpener? Lots of reviews here.

I have a 1x30 Delta (similar to HF) and love it for sharpening. Definitely a learning curve, but once you get it down (like the salesman), there's nothing else I've found that can match the speed.

I ruined one good knife with mine, but this was years ago and I drank back then. I don't find the speed of the belt to be an issue at all. I use a very light touch and have had great results.
 
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This is how I have my HF belt grinders setup. When I get the time I plan on adding an elevation screw to the back so I can hold the knife horizontal with the machine canted to impart the correct bevel.
 
The key to high speed is to run the belt away from you. I have a 1x42 craftsman, half horse. I tilt it to a zero angle, belt running away from me, then use an armature jig, and only the weight of the blade. You can also dunk in water to keep the heat down. Fast, even strokes. Make sure to keep the edge centered. I go all the way up to 800 on that sander. Around 400, i start working wet, til 800, then hop over to a buffer with a firm wheel on it and green compound, light pressure. Consistent, very sharp blades every time.


Ive sharpened the backs of jig saw blades to hair shaving sharp in a matter of a minute.

Once you establish a burr, one pass on either side as you go up in grit is sufficient, so not a lot of heat buildup there.
 
I like my hf 1x30. But it's not very smooth. I have to use a c clamp to keep it from walking away.
 
CWME said:
PWt4GTM.jpg
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This is how I have my HF belt grinders setup. When I get the time I plan on adding an elevation screw to the back so I can hold the knife horizontal with the machine canted to impart the correct bevel.
Click to expand...

Dude, that's kinda sweet. I may try that.

Sharpnessis said:
I like my hf 1x30. But it's not very smooth. I have to use a c clamp to keep it from walking away.
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Hmm mine (Delta) doesn't do that. I believe the platen is better on the Delta too. My only issue has been tracking (it's an old machine), but electrical tape on the tracking wheel has mostly fixed that.

Op, if you get one of these (either) I'd chuck the guards. They just get in the way.
 
I use The Sharp Machine. It is a 1x30 belt sander with a belt speed of 875 feet per minute. It has a clamp & guide system that insures accuracy every time. Comes with 3 preset clamps for 20, 25, 30 degree angles. It is idiot-proof. You can see it for yourself at http://www.thesharpshoponline.com I have been using mine for 14 years, and think it's the best thing out there in a 1x30 belt sander. It also comes with a lifetime warranty on all custom parts & a 1-year manufacturers warranty on the motor. It's worth checking out!
 
That sharp machine does look like a great system, and pretty much foolproof, but at almost twice as much as a Kalamazoo kind of hard to justify for me. Seems like I would have a better machine with the Kalamazoo and making a fixture if I don't want to learn to freehand.

I will say it looks like a winner for quick and easy, out of the box ready to go with little or no learning curve if you're willing to spend the money.
 
Does the Kalamazoo come with a warranty? Is it Made in the USA? I prefer American made, personally. I can understand not spending a lot of money on a sharpening system if you only sharpen your EDC, but I have a sharpening business. I usually sharpen at least 200 knives a week. I like knowing that if my machine breaks down, it's probably covered under warranty. If the motor craps out after the warranty, it only costs about $65 to replace. The motor on my first Sharp Machine lasted about 8 years. After replacing the motor, it works just as well as my new one. I & my customers love the double bevel edge I get with my Sharp Machine. With the right deck, I can even sharpen swords to a razor edge.
 
genehoffpauir said:
Does the Kalamazoo come with a warranty? Is it Made in the USA? I prefer American made, personally. I can understand not spending a lot of money on a sharpening system if you only sharpen your EDC, but I have a sharpening business. I usually sharpen at least 200 knives a week. I like knowing that if my machine breaks down, it's probably covered under warranty. If the motor craps out after the warranty, it only costs about $65 to replace. The motor on my first Sharp Machine lasted about 8 years. After replacing the motor, it works just as well as my new one. I & my customers love the double bevel edge I get with my Sharp Machine. With the right deck, I can even sharpen swords to a razor edge.
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I don't have any experience with the Kalamazoo tools but they are made in the US and I think they have a 1year warranty.
 
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