Newbie equipment question

T

Todd Murphy

Joined
Mar 4, 2009
Messages
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I am getting ramped up to make my first knife. I am planning on using an old Shopsmith to save time on the grinding/sanding. My question is this...Shopsmith sells a Strip Sander attachment with 1/2" or 1" by 42" belts. The cost is $219. Would this be worth the investment, or am I better off with sticking to the sanding disks? Most of the equipment that I have seen mentioned uses 2" belts. Is 1" too thin? Any suggestions would be helpfull. I really am hoping to use the shopsmith as my available space is minimal (ie, the corner of my garage). Thanks!
 
My gut feeling about that is it is a bunch of wasted money. It can only do 1x42 belts, and for about a hundred more, you can make a no weld grinder (see www.usaknifemaker.com for plans)

Just my opinion though.
 
Todd, it looks like essentially you're just getting the ability to add a Delta 1x42 type setup to your shopsmith. Lots of guys started making knives on a 1x42 and you can make some nice things with it.

The attachment is a little more than what you would probably pay for a stand alone belt grinder of that size, but it does offer some huge improvements. The Shopsmith has a 1 1/8 HP motor. That's a lot more powerful than the 1/3hp you'll get with the average 1x42. It's also got a variable speed controller on it. That's a huge plus. Most of the little 1x42's run about 3,000fpm.

If shop space is a concern, it might be worth looking in to this. If not, you can look into a separate grinder and upgrade to a 2x72.

Maybe you can find a way to frankenmeld a no weld grinder with the shopsmith? That would be cool! :D

Walter
 
A frankenmelded No Weld Grinder with a Shopsmith would be cool!:D
Thanks for the feedback, Walter.

-Todd
 
Shopsmith says the motor is 1 1/8hp that develops up to 2hp. And it's got a variable speed controller. 700 to 5200 RPM. Drill press, disk sander, there's a bandsaw attachment, you could slow it down enough to use it to cut steel it would seem. Sounds like an all in one tool. It could be interesting. Especially since you say you're tight on space.

Walter
 
A variable speed 1x42 is better than a lot of guys work with now. The frankenmelded 2x72 with a VS would be freaking sweet.
 
You can get a new Craftsman 2x42 for around $100 or so on sale from Sears. That leaves you with about $100 for good belts.
 
I wasn't able to check in on this thread over the weekend, and just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their feedback! I worked in my garage all weekend to try to find some extra space. I can't wait to get started!
 
Todd, I see on craigslist there is 2 Shopsmiths for 300 and am debating getting them. 3 years later what do think of the ShopSmith? Did you end up getting the belt sander? Would you recommend one for a new maker?
Thanks, ~amish
 
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