Kalamazoo Belt Sander Initial Impressions

frogfish

frogfish

Gold Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2002
Messages
4,125
Hi all,

I know we have had ongoing therads about belt sanders but I had to put in my two cents.
I've been looking for a while now for a unit to use for sharpening and light grinding and had settled on a 1" X 42" size as being in my price range. Well after much surfing and comparisons I've just purchased a Kalamazoo 1" X 42" sander from http://www.use-enco.com I ordered it Wednesday and it arrived the next day UPS ground from Reno to the SF Bay area is really great. Some of the factors that helped me make the decision were:

Made in USA
Baldor Motor running at 1725 RPM
Price
Open belt design

As for my first impressions:

On the Plus side
The unit came completely assembled and ready to use.
Belt tracking adjustment is very simple and effective.
Belt replacement is also very simple.
Lots of open belt for slack belt work
Really simple well built design not a lot to go wrong.

On the negitive side
This unit is vertical only the larger 2" X 48" unit allows for vertical or horizontal operation.
The table is small and made out of sheet steel not cast

Overall it's a really simple unit built in the USA by a company that make high end professional equipment with first rate components that should deliver solid function for a good long time.

As soon as the assortment of belts that I've orders arrives I'll give you my impressions on it's operation.

Cheers Tim
 
I like mine a whole bunch, too. Use it for making knife handles and sharpening. Sounds like the same model.
 
Have you visited knifekits.com?

There's lots of information there on the kalamazoo...tricks and tips, etc...

Great lil' grinder...glad you like it!

Dan
 
Here are some pics:

0945306-11.jpg



delta-tools_1780_4242772



Belt changes are very easy on my Delta (with the dust cover off)....so that's probably not much different. The power is about the same, but the speed is quite different. Kalamazoo lists theirs as 1800 SFM; Delta, 3000 SFM (square feet of belt per minute). Another difference would be a lot more slack belt area in the Kalamazoo - which makes shaping handles easier.

One thing to remember with these 1x42 belt sanders is that they operate at one speed = fast. Even at 400 grit, you can remove too much too quickly. But, you can compensate for this by using a higher grit belt (or older belt) for tasks needed a finer touch - as well as using light pressure.


I know that most Kalamazoo owners are very pleased with their machine. It certainly is a step in the direction of full-out knifemaking.


The next step after this would be to get a grizzly belt sander - 2x72. For around $300, it's a real workhorse.


(I skipped this step and went straight to a KMG...:D)
 
It seems it would be a simple matter to use an inline rheostat to provide some control over the speed...no? For those of us with more uses, it seems the Delta might be more useful ...
 
Nasty - unfortunately, it's not that simple. There are some who could give a more technical explanation, but basically, you'd be mixing apples and oranges. As soon as you tried to "speed it down", it would either shut off or burn up.

variable speed control is a dream come true. You can do it (I have variable speed on my KMG) but you have to throw $$$ at it if you want a "good" system. (I'd rate mine as "moderate")
 
pendentive said:
Have you visited knifekits.com?

There's lots of information there on the kalamazoo...tricks and tips, etc...

Great lil' grinder...glad you like it!

Dan
Click to expand...

Dan

I have been to knifekits and I'm now lusting after there horizontal attachment although given the simplicity of the kzoo I may try making my own first.

Also I keep seeing the grizzly 2 X 72 as the next step for blade grinding I was wondering if anyone has looked at the kzoo 2 X 48 as an alternative? The price seems to be comparable and being an American made unit with a really good motor it seems like a good choice.

Tim
 
I would recommend the 2x42 instead of the 1x42 (rather than as an upgrade). The jump is not enough to justify the cost, IMHO.

Reason? I still use my 1x42 for shaping handles, but if I had a 1x42, 2x42 and a 2x72....i'd probably toss one of the 42 inchers....too much space, etc.
 
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