Kalamazoo 1SM Belt Sander???

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I currently have a WorkSharp WSKTS but I want to upgrade to a Kalamazoo 1SM 1" x 42" belt sander. I will be using this to sharpen machetes, cleavers and other longer, thicker edged blades or anything that needs to be convexed.

Besides the WorkSharp, I have an EdgePro (Pro) model and I have some Razor Sharp Edgemaking System brand paper wheels on the way. I will be doing this as a side business eventually. I have a few questions.

1. Who has the best price for a Kalamazoo 1SM + FREE shipping?

2. Can Micro-Mesh 1/2" x 42" abrasive belts be used on the 1SM and will they track right? Do the pulleys/wheels need to be changed out and where is a good source for these? I will be using these belts for recurves.

3. What other mods are out there for the Kalamazoo 1SM? I'm aware of the ones from Knifekits.com but that's about it.

Thanks guys. I appreciate it. PM me if you can't post prices.
 
Added a adjustable platen out of SS I made for keeping the belt tight in a small area for sharpening. Less convex on the edge. Purchased my at a local machine supply store so I didn't pay shipping. Very pleased with this machine. I have Edge Pro, paper wheels, DMT diamond plates, Lansky, Work Sharp, assorted Japanese water stones, Spyderco sharpmaker, assorted oil stones, multiple strops etc. etc. I get the most use from the Kalamazoo as I sharpen knives on the side.
Ron
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Can't say exactly where, but there's another common knife forum that I post the excellent deals they have from time to time on. Watch for discounts between 15-20%, usually with free shipping. :)

It's a superb unit, you don't need any wheel changes or anything like that to move from mylar belts, to grit, to trizact or leather. I've never tried running a half-inch belt on it, though, I always run full inch belts. Why are you wanting to use a half-width, out of curiosity? Mark Reich makes an excellent platen mod that I consider essential, it allows you to use BOTH sides of the platen for v-bevel sharpening, instead of just the right as the stock one does.
 
Komitadjie said:
Can't say exactly where, but there's another common knife forum that I post the excellent deals they have from time to time on. Watch for discounts between 15-20%, usually with free shipping. :)

It's a superb unit, you don't need any wheel changes or anything like that to move from mylar belts, to grit, to trizact or leather. I've never tried running a half-inch belt on it, though, I always run full inch belts. Why are you wanting to use a half-width, out of curiosity? Mark Reich makes an excellent platen mod that I consider essential, it allows you to use BOTH sides of the platen for v-bevel sharpening, instead of just the right as the stock one does.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info Komitadjie. I'm gonna look into that platen mod. Do you have any pics? The 1/2" belts will be used for some serious recurves. I know Micro-Surface makes them. Then again, I could always use my WorkSharp for them.
 
Don't worry about the recurves, I've done quite a few very severe ones on the stock belts, and never had any trouble at all. If I need more curve, I use very, VERY light pressure, and get up high into the belt where the sides can roll over a bit. Don't over-think it too much, it works quite well as-is. At least, I'd suggest trying it with the standard 1" belts unless it turns out that you REALLY need to change it. You can always go with a softer J-weight belt that flexes more if you need to. I'll shoot a couple pictures of the 1SM with the modded platen here shortly for you to take a look at, it's really a handy mod, especially when you're doing heavier stuff like chip removal or the like, and want to use the platen for slightly more aggressive grinding.
 
Thanks. That's good to know. I'm looking at purchasing it from Use-Enco but they say that I would have to fax them a tax exempt form. Sounds like a lot of hassle.
 
That's where I've purchased mine from, I did not have to supply any forms at all, the entire order was done via email, I paid no tax. I'm in Washington state, obviously.

The modified platen!

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Well,....I did it!!!....I just placed the order for the Kalamazoo with their advertised price from Enco. This was some leftover cash I had laying around after I paid my taxes. This money would have went to guns and accessories or knives but I stayed the course lol!!! They charged me tax but I don't know if it will change before they ship it. Screw it!!! I'm impatient and I can't wait for this bad boy to come in even though I might have payed a little more for it. It's being shipped FREE UPS ground to my sister in CA and then she will ship it via USPS Priority Mail to me here in Guam. Oh the hassle. That's a nice rig you have there Komitadjie.
 
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