Picking out a belt sander.

Nosetotail

Nosetotail

Joined
Jun 10, 2007
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My wife caught me browsing online for belt and disc sanders, and she declared. NO WAY. You can't get something like that until you do the floor. Well we caught a great sale at Flooring America later that night, so...

I'm considering a 1" belt and disc sander, although I haven't gone out and looked for one. I have seen on here the often recommended value priced Harbor Freight, but I may spend just a few more dollars if it would be worth my while. I'm wondering what other recommendations are out there for a belt sander.

What can I look for in options, and what should I avoid. My father has a Dremel, but I can't find one on their website. Is there a reason such as they are not making them anymore? Anyones experience would be appreciated.
 
If you just want to sharpen knives a 1x30 is fine. For hobby knifemaking the sears 2x42 is as small as I'd go. 2x72 is the gold standard for knifemaking grinders.
 
Well, I'm not looking to do anything major. Just lower my bevel some. Repairing edges on my lead working tools at work. Perhaps take on a flat grind. I'm looking to stay under 200.00, and am wondering if I can find useful options that the 60.00 Harbor Freight sander doesn't have. I'm also wondering if going with the Dremel jobby is a bad idea(still wondering if they quit making them, and if getting belts for them will be a pain. I don't know if they take a standard length belt.)
 
The Dremel is a well made sander. It uses standard 1 X 30 belts.
For just sharpening, the $40 Harbor freight is hard to beat.
Bill
 
If you have any aspirations towards grinding a piece of barstock into a knife then I suggest paying a little more and getting a sears 2x42 or similar level of tool (more common to find 1x42 grinders in this range). If you're just sharpening and heavy reprofiling any decent 1x30 will do.
 
A 1x30 is what I have decided, but what I'm wondering is this...apart from reliability and power, is one 1x30 better than another. What should I look for specifically for grinding low bevels on knives. I haven't been to any stores looking. I'm just tire kicking online right now.
 
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