next wannabe question-grinding

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invictusmaneo

Joined
Feb 11, 2008
Messages
42
Next step up from filing, I would like to move on to grinding blades (not the profiles, the blades themselves).

I have read through as many of the newbie threads and have been keeping tabs on everything I can within this section in regards to grinders, but am curious at to a general consensus or at least opinions. What is the best option for power grinding that is on a beginning (100ish or less) budget? I've read of beginners making setups for portable belt sanders, some people talked of angle grinders for profile work but no blades, and bench grinders with wheels are a no no as well from what I understand. What about a simple belt/disc sander such as this:

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=210345-32764-SA180&lpage=none

obviously a nice grinder setup would be best but that is certainly beyond my range and reason at this point in time. Any input is greatly appreciated!

Taylor
 
I would say save your money for a better one and use that initial 100$ for some good files and sandpaper...it doesnt take expensive machines to make good knives!! and what you will learn doing it by hand will help you in the long run!
 
I am making my first blade at the moment (chisel ground tanto thing with a 12 inch blade and 10 inch handle...lol). I did all the profiling on my 8 inch grinder on a 36 grit stone and it worked great. I thought I had hardened the steel (see my other thread) but it hasnt so I will keep using it. Will be getting a belt grinder attachment that bolts onto the bench grinder soon which will be heaps easier. Grinding on the 8 inch stone takes practice. I evened up the long bevel with a dmt xtra xtra coarse stone though (with blade held in a vice) which acted like a metal plane. The grinder was to just get a rough profile so I didnt have to file as much.
 
Taylor,

I ground several dozen knives on a 1"x30" belt sander from Lowe's when I first started, and it worked fine. I still use it occasionally. I also have the 2"x42" Craftsman and used it quite a bit for a while, and it worked fine. In fact, if quality belts in a wide range of grits were readily available for the 2"x42", I'd still be using it. For a hobby maker on a limited budget, either one is a good start, IMO. Of course, if your gonna turn out more than 2 or three blades a month, saving for a good 2"x72" makes a lot of sense, just for the versatility.

Todd
 
Appreciate the insight guys. I picked up a delta 1x42 with 8" disc at lowes, and used it to help with some rounding on the blade (it was an already done blade) and then working the scales. looking foward to finishing it up once the epoxy dries--TBH i think the sander will help more with handles then the blade itself! it certainly made it a lot faster today. As soon as I get better ill step up to a bigger better grinder
taylor
 
invictusmaneo said:
Appreciate the insight guys. I picked up a delta 1x42 with 8" disc at lowes, and used it to help with some rounding on the blade (it was an already done blade) and then working the scales. looking foward to finishing it up once the epoxy dries--TBH i think the sander will help more with handles then the blade itself! it certainly made it a lot faster today. As soon as I get better ill step up to a bigger better grinder
taylor
Click to expand...

I have that sander. I already had a 1 x 30. I tried using the 1 x 42 for about two weeks and gave up and went back to the 1 x 30 and began saving my pennies. The 1 x 42 sits on a shelf gathering dust now. My problem with the 1 x 42 is that it ran considerably slower than the 1 x 30 and had a smaller motor on it, so it was easy for me to bog it down. It was frustrating. I felt that I wasted my money. However, I had the 1 x 30 to go back to. Since you didn't have that option of going back to the 1 x 30, it will be a better choice for you in the long run, because I do believe it's better for handle work than the 1 x 30 is.

Save you pennies and then buy a 2 x 72 grinder or build one. You'll never regret it!
 
A grinder is a grinder,

lots of guys will say you shouldnt use a solid stone grinder but they forget that this is what everyone used before belt grinders could really even be thought to do what guys do now with them. there were no good belts that were rough enough or could endure that kind of grinding.

and lots of guys still use them to make top notch knives

any belt grinder is a step above a stone grinder as well because its smoother to grind against it doesnt want to chatter so much,

now basicly get whatever grinder you can afford or if you come across a good used one snap it up

just look for 3 things
Can I get good belts for it?
Does it have decent quality wheels?
does it have enough power to work on a knife reasonably?

the worse your grinder the slower you go, which may be better because I know i can ruin a knife pretty quick with 2 hp on mine

looks like you made a decent choice can you wont spend a lifetime working on one knife now

edit to add if your grinder runs too slow to effciently use belts ie its more then likely made for wood it probley wont work so good
 
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