Is this bench sander any good?

G

guitardemon

Joined
Jun 8, 2005
Messages
288
I can get a pretty good deal on a delta shop master
and was wondering what people thought about using it for knife making. I wouldn't be using this for anything but knife making(which i am extremely new at). What is everybody's thoughts about this belt sander for knife making?
 
Start on this one. Please understand, that you will have issues getting different grits on the belts. You would be doing some flat grinding on this and can make a good job as you get better. Finish by hand sanding or files.
The nice thing about this sander is it can make a very flat surface for handle scales. and the disk grinder looks good too.

Good Luck
 
I started out on a 4x36 belt sander and I would honestly recommend against it. The belts are hard to find, they don't last as long and their joints are huge.

The belt moves slow and doesn't remove enough material quickly, imo, and if you put pressure onto it you will bog it down. The platen on mine didn't stay flat because it's so thin and you'll probably have to get something to place under it. Additionally, you can't really track off the sides well for plunges and other work that requires a belt edge (on side will track off, but not the other). A thick ceramic plate for the platen will help this just like it will help keep you flat.

In my opinion, there is too much surface area in contact with the belt for knife making (at least with the motor that comes with the machine). You'll find that it's extremely easy to stop this when you have 4" of belt running along a piece of steel. Belts for these machines will cost you the same as full on 2x72" belts in most cases and they won't last nearly as long due to the shorter length, heat and probably just overall quality. Speed is an issue with these as well, which I thinks degrades the belt life in many cases.

If you want to get an inexpensive belt sander, I think you should go with something 1" or 2" wide. I'd just get some nice files instead though.
 
Get a Sears 2X42 belt grinder. It is affordable and is OK as a first grinder for a beginning knife maker.
 
Every single knife I have completed and in the process also were made using that sander. I have two complaints about it. One, I go through a couple 60 grit belts hogging per blade, and two if I really lean into it I can stall the motor. For the price you can't beat it. Others would tell you to get the craftsman model with the 2x42 (or 48, dunno) and I am sure that would work. I bought this model at first to use for model airplane making, and then decided to try knives. Oh yea I noticed your forum handle, I play a Jackson USA Kelly through a digitech GNX4 and Carvin half stack. Death metal rules.

my first ever knife
PICT0087.jpg


paring knife
Shady4.jpg


Fillet
walnutfillet1.jpg


nother fillet
Donfillet.jpg


nother paring type
Number4.jpg
 
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delta 2 x 42 would be my recc however im new to this so take advice with some salt. the 2x42 also has an 6" rounder on it. I meant 1x42--sorry
 
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If you want a bench sander, and I would not be without one, you need a 6 x 48 with a at least a one horse motor, and rigged with step pullys. It must have a cast iron deck with a lip on each side so the belt can go right up to the plunge on a blade. I use mine on every blade I make, instead of a surface grinder, or platen on my my main belt grinder. I flatten grips with it, true up tapered tangs and blade grinds. Anything needing to be really flat. I find it easier to control and get real flats, than a platen on a belt grinder, and I believe it to be safer, but, as with many tools, it is a matter of what one gets used to working with in order to get the desired result.
 
1/3 HP motor is not even enough. No, you need power. A machine that will not get the job done easily, and properly, will only frustrate you, and be a waste of money. Sometimes it is just best to spend extra money, and buy the tool that will get the job done. Is this for a hobby, or do you have desires of getting serious, is a question you need to decide on before you buy any of the necessary equipment. If you plan to get serious, do not waste money on maybe's. Work into it, one good tool at a time. If you have the gift of youth, it will all come together in time. Trust me! I learned the hard way, like many others have.
 
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I hate mine. I was so glad to get (I know I know, but I'm broke...really broke) my Grizzly.

-Mike Sheffield
 
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