My introduction

this one ? That seems like a good deal. 2/3 hp and 4400 fpm seems like more bang for my buck, thanks. I generally try to distance myself from crapsman but I may seriously consider this.
 
A lot of people start with a Craftsman like that one. You can sometimes pick them up on sale for 90 bucks or sometimes a guy around the forums will have one around not being used.

For what it's worth, I agree with Will and would also go with files and stay away from a belt sander for the time being. Filing is a skill that will always be useful to you in knifemaking. Starting off with good files, you don't have to learn to work around the limitations of a tool imitating what you really need. Everything you learn how to do with them will work when you buy "better" files. They are not expensive, rather quick (faster than many of the belt sanders we start out with) and quite portable.
 
I am in the Grand Rapids area. Shoot me an email and we can work something out if you want (I tried to email you but its turned off).
 
I fixed my Email.

well thanks guys for all the help, I will get files and some steel this week some time. I will also probably get a sander some time in the near future.

last question, if I wanted to make a fixed blade, with a 6" edge. What would you recommend for steel thickness? I was thinking no thinner than 1/4" , any knife I make I will keep so I can beat the crap out of it or give to a friend so they can beat the crap out of it. However for my first couple knives thought I might just get 1/8" just so it is easier to work.
 
1/4" steel is about the thickest stuff I ever work with. For a 6" blade I'd go with 1/8" or 3/16". 1/8" steel will hold up to a lot of abuse. My daily carry pocket knife is 1/16" thick and I've beat the crap out of it for the past 10 years.
 
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