Recommend a sander?

BePrepared

BePrepared

Joined
Aug 26, 2010
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I'm playing with the idea of picking up a belt sander to make polishing my knives more efficient

right now, i only own a B&D hand sander, and a WorkSharp WKSTS

I'm looking for a budget sander between 50 and 150.... i'll probably get a good one later but i need something to keep me til then

all advise welcome
 
Look on craigslist and see what's near you and cheap.

Just a thought
 
For a budget, the craftsman 2x48 is pretty decent I think they are around 130, of course then you'll need belts.
 
xmtgx said:
For a budget, the craftsman 2x48 is pretty decent I think they are around 130, of course then you'll need belts.
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I'll 2nd the Craftsman 2x42. It is a great grinder for the beginner. Most of us have one that we started with and keep them around to use for odds and ends. It is a good grinder to learn on as you will have to pay attention to your grinding tecquique. And with a few modifications you won't be sorry you got it.
Jason
 
jawilder said:
I'll 2nd the Craftsman 2x42. It is a great grinder for the beginner. Most of us have one that we started with and keep them around to use for odds and ends. It is a good grinder to learn on as you will have to pay attention to your grinding tecquique. And with a few modifications you won't be sorry you got it.
Jason
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I'll 3rd it. I made quite a few knives on mine, and still use it for handles, etc...
 
You say polishing though....
Do you actually want a buffer?

Or are you thinking Scotchbrite belts for a satin finish?
 
the link is a 4x36, not 2x42...

i plan to use it for sanding to a uniform satin finish, and occasionally for sharpening

I am not really interested in a mirror polish, but i'd like the option

scotchbright makes belts?
 
Yes. I haven't tried them but I've seen them. I think they are too thick for the 2x42. If I were you I would save the 65 and go for the 2x42, I think it is like $150 from sears.com

BePrepared said:
the link is a 4x36, not 2x42...

i plan to use it for sanding to a uniform satin finish, and occasionally for sharpening

I am not really interested in a mirror polish, but i'd like the option

scotchbright makes belts?
Click to expand...
 
well it turns out the guy was selling a 2/3 hp craftsman 4"x36" belt/disc sander

so it has 2x the HP i was expecting.... better deal than expected.
 
BePrepared said:
well it turns out the guy was selling a 2/3 hp craftsman 4"x36" belt/disc sander

so it has 2x the HP i was expecting.... better deal than expected.
Click to expand...

The 4"x36" isn't as ideal as a 2"x42". It's more of a woodworking tool than a metal working grinder. There are some that have one, but overwhelmingly the 2"x42" is the budget grinder of choice.

The 3 local Mall's all have a "cutlery" store. That store uses Craftsman 2"x42" for their sharpening...
 
from what i've been told, i can use a 2x36 belt with my sander, or cut a 4x36 in half... that should give me the equivalent of a 2" belt right?
 
I use a HF 1x30. It works well for handles but it is a little slow on stock removal. From what I remember it runs @ 1/3 Hp and 2000 lfpm.
 
BePrepared

Your name sounds familiar, but - I was a boyscout,
so I'm not really sure if I posted this in one of your threads before or not.

I post this quite often to answer new makers questions.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...o-start-making-knives?p=10584203#post10584203


Have a look in the grinder - tools section on this link
The craftsman 2x42 is what I would use if I couldn't go directly to a 2x72"




Consider building a grinder too

The poorest NWG or KMG clone is far better than the woodworking machines.
If you have a drill press, maybe know someone who welds, know where to buy steel locally like a metal supermarket, or
http://www.onlinemetals.com/steelguide.cfm

Those links will be priced higher than what most can buy locally - so have a look around


We all have a handy friend, sometimes we are that handy friend for others.

I think most anyone can make one, but I may be biased on that.


Once you have a 2x72", you will use it for EVERYTHING shop related.



I have personally bought some woodworking belt sanders.
It's not worth doing that.

I tossed them all and went to more expensive grinders.

That $ could have gotten me at least 1/2 way to a home made NWG


The HP ratings are far exagerrated and false
The motors are open frames to be cheaper than an enclosed motor and prone to smoking when metal dust gets in.
 
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