Problem with Harbor Freight Belt Grinder

Z

zhangmaster12

Joined
Sep 14, 2007
Messages
504
I bought a new HF 1x30 grinder for 32 bucks w/ the 20 percent off coupon today.

I was very excited, but when I got home, sadly, the belt wont track correctly, and the platen was off center. :(

Im gonna take it back to the store and ask for a replacement.

Heres some pics:

This is the best I could get it to track. Its not horrible, but I still want it flush, after all I payed expecting a non-defective grinder. The tension bar is twisted all the way, If I dont, half the belt would be off the side and half on the wheel. Here are some various angles:
IMG_3329.jpg

IMG_3328.jpg

IMG_3333.jpg


As you can see, the bar is all the way:
IMG_3332.jpg


The platen cant line up. Its exactly 90 degrees to the side of the machine, just doesn't line up. I used a tri-square to ensure that it is 90 degrees from the side of the machine. The belt rides perfectly flat on it and smoothly, just it isn't lined up.
IMG_3330.jpg

IMG_3326.jpg



Anybody get the same thing? Anybody have experience with HF customer service?

One more quick question: If my replacement is ship-shape, then if I JB weld a new ceramic platen to the old, with a little practice or an angle guide will scandi grinding be possible?

Thanks guys!
 
Unfortunately it is what it is, a very cheap under powered machine. I use mine for shaping some kydex sheaths and it is good to sharpen with if needed. I do use a leather belt on mine to strop with it also. I would never think of grinding steel with it as it has no power.
 
Yea, thats all im using it for, sharpening, touching up, and some simple reprofiling. Not planning to do any crazy stock removal. Also be using it for simple woodwork like shaping handles.

Any ideas on my last question about the ceramic platen?
 
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The tracking issue is just how they are in my experience. 1/3 of my belts are too tight to run and 1/3 will fly off with a little pressure no matter how I adjust. That said, I really like it, but I take it at face value.

The platen problem is just the design. It wasn't meant to be precise and adjustable. Just cheap. You could probably glue a wider piece of steel to it as a quick solution.

Scandi grinding is definitely doable, though you may find a good file a better option.
 
Thanks. I guess I get what I paid for. Im gonna try to get it exchanged. Hopefully the new one will be better.

If they dont give me a new one, Ill do what Kiah said, glue a wider piece of steel.

Is a ceramic platen absolutely necesary? I wont be doing any large amounts of stock removal. Just sharpening, touching up, and small woodwork, so even a steel platen shouldn't have too much wear. Can I just use a flat peice of steel thats been wetsanded flat?

Thanks all.

edit:

What I meant was:

With a ceramic platen will scandi sharpening be possible? Sorry saying, grinding is kinda just habit lol.
 
I have/had one of those...used it for about 2 seconds to realize it was only worth about what I paid for it...and at the time, I paid more than you !! The belt runs WAAAAAAAAAAY too fast in my opinion and it is all over the place. Save your money and get a real grinder. You're almost better off with files and sandpaper !
 
I picked up one of those grinders from HF last summer when I was on the mainland. When I finally got around to plugging it in, it didn't run at all. I haven't looked at it since, but hope to trouble shoot it one of these days. If I can't fix it...oh well. This is all to say, you got it good!
 
When I buy a Harbor freight tool, I look at it as if I'm paying for a pile of un-assembled parts. If the sum of the parts are worth the money spent, then I'll re-build the machine to make it work.
 
Mine was in the same condition yours is. I ground off part of the platen and cocked it at an angle. It lasted for 3 knives.
 
Don't worry about where it tracks on the idler wheel, you're not grinding up there. BTW, it's the best I've ever seen one of those track too. I doubt you'll get anything better if you exchange it, probably worse. The only place that matters is on your platen, you will need to make a new platen or modify that one to make it right. I would be really careful trying to sharpen a scandi grind with this one. It runs really fast and moves around a lot. DON'T try it on a knife you like first...
 
The platen is just sheet metal..Bend it back where you want it.....Mine has been in use for 10 years, still going strong.....Seeing little use, but good for some polishing...But watch for heat buildup.........carl
 
wow, now that it seems like this is a very small problem. Guess Ill use it for a few days, if Im not happy, Ill try my luck and get it replaced.

Thanks alll!
 
Try wrapping the idler with tape to correct the tracking problem.
The platen can be straightened with a shim (think "washer.")
 
with a 1 x 30 scotchbrite on those lil speed demons , it will orange peel titanium nicely :)

as was said , bend the lil flimsy platen to make it line up , or get some thicker steel and make a better platen , thats what I did on mine years ago until I gave it away.
 
Don't suppose wrapping a single piece of celophane tape around one side of that upper wheel would help?
 
I'm sure you've checked this, but since no one else has asked, I'll throw it out there. Have you tried multiple belts to make sure it's the grinder and not the belt? Occasionally I get a belt that just won't track. If you turn the belt around and it still tracks the same way, it's the grinder, but if it runs off in the opposite direction, it's the belt.

The HF 1x30 that I have has none of the above mentioned problems; I didn't realize how lucky I was! Mine tracks perfectly with a good belt. I don't try to grind blades with it, but it's good for slack-belt handle shaping as long as you watch the heat buildup.

Rick DuBois
 
looking at your next to the last pict , it looks like you have enuff adjustment to straighten it out and make it inline with the belt... that original platen still sucks though.
 
Try two wraps of electrical tape around the idler wheel on the side the belt wants to wander off.....
 
I have built almost 100 knives with a HF 1x30 (got my kmg running last friday) the grinder sucks but it works i have had tracking problems but usually a belt change will fix that most of the time and the platen needed some ajustments. It will always have a place in my shop.
 
I bought my 1 x 30 HFer over three years ago and figure if it burned out today I surely got my $$ worth.
I use it mainly for shaping handles and leather work.
I have recently "graduated" to the 2 x 42 Craftsman to learn about knife grinding, but still use the HF regularly:thumbup:
 
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