Rookie question...belt sander differences

einsteinjon

einsteinjon

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Dec 22, 2008
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1,870
Hello everyone,

I am just dipping into making a few of my own knives to see if I am any good at it. I've been looking into belt sanders, and it sounds like a 2x72 is the best option, but I don't want to spend that much money...around $150 would be max. I read about the Craftsman 2x42 also, but I don't want to get something so fast as to ruin my grinding, especially since I still have to get a feel for it.

Anyway, I think I narrowed it down to a Harbor Freight just based on price. I'm not sure which to get though. The type of sander I see suggested most is this style http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=34951. However, I figured (and then later read) that 1" belts wouldn't be wide enough. Can this sander http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93981 be used successfully for knives? Basically I am worried that I won't be able to convex with this one should I choose to want to. It looks like there is no give with that platen.

Which is the least of the 2 evils? I am open to other suggestions as well, but I've pretty much already weeded out the Grizzly 2x72 (too pricey right now) and the Craftsman 2x42 (too fast) based on my needs.

As a slight aside...would it be worth getting a bench grinder also, or should I just stick with the belt sander for now?

Thank you!!!
 
I own that 4x36 sander and started out on it for making knives. In my opinion it is woefully inadequate. There is too much surface area and not enough horsepower, so the belt is easy to stop and having such a wide belt can limit the things you can do. If you really want to make knives cheaply, I suggest starting with files and sand paper. If you had to choose between those two sanders, I would pick the first one. Be prepared to use many many belts, no matter which one you pick, they just don't last as long on those little sanders.
 
The craftsman is "too fast," but much better than any of the 1" harbor freight models. Several of us here use them and would be glad to talk you through some improvements that add to its usefulness. The last 40 knives I made in the last 8 months haven't complained about the craftsman.
 
Go for the Craftsman. It is too fast and looked down upon by the 2x72 purists, but it does work. You just have to be more cautious when using it. I have never used a KMG and imagine they are all that and a bag of chips, but compared to using files with my first two knives, this 2x42 is a dream come true.

For your price, go woth the 2x42 with good quality belts. Keep water near by.
 
What about the Delta 1x42? Narrow belt but seems that a lot of people liked it for their first entry-level grinder...
 
I'll throw the Craftsman 2x42 in the ring also. I have been using it about a year and it works fine, you just need to be careful and take it slow. 2x42 belts wear out faster than 2x72 and 1" belts will not last as long as 2" belts. Thats another thing to think about.
 
jkf96a said:
The craftsman is "too fast," but much better than any of the 1" harbor freight models. Several of us here use them and would be glad to talk you through some improvements that add to its usefulness. The last 40 knives I made in the last 8 months haven't complained about the craftsman.
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Ok I'm being tipped toward the Craftsman :D...I suppose I can try to be careful. If anyone has tips on how to make improvements, like jkf96a said, I'd love to get all the info I can.
 
I took off the side guard as well as the work stand on the disk grinder. You can also get ceramic platens to glue on as the one supplied is crap... but I haven't done that yet.

Supergrit.com has a good selection of 2x42 belts. Save the aluminum oxide belts for wood. Don't go with the ceramic belts as you have to push hard to use them and that creates too much heat for a HT'd blade.
 
I immediately took off the entire right side plate and the tool rest. Some have gone so far as to modify the top by the tension knob so that they can use the slack belt portion from the left side. I didn't do that to mine. The best thing you can do is modify the platen. I glued a piece of ceramic tile to mine, but others have used pyroceramic glass. Cut or buy your tile/glass to exactly two inches, and you can set your tracking so that the edge of the belt runs on the edge of your platen. This allows you to make more accurate plunge cuts. I radiused the edges of the top half of the platen w/ a 1/8" radius, and left the bottom half square.

As far as belts, the sears ones are crap. I've been getting mine from trugrit.com, although I think supergrit will get my next order. I like the norton ceramic belts for profiles and bevels, and the 3m gators for cleanup and finishing. The gators work well and last a long time.
 
Craftsman is probably the way I'll go. Some of this stuff is over my head at the moment, but hopefully I'll be able to figure it out when I need to.
 
I bought the 2 x 48 coote belt grinder and have had it for years. When I finally got the pulleys figured out ( small on the motor big on the grinder) it was controllable. I think it runs about 300 bucks not sure. It's a great alternative to to the 2 x 72's.

Mike Quesenberry
ABS Journeyman
 
The Craftsman 2 x 42 is how a lot of us probably started, myself included. It is cheap and that is what makes it attractive to beginners. You don't have a lot of money invested if you decide that knifemaking isn't for you and it is still marginally useful around the shop for general tasks, much more so, IMO that your typical cheap wheel grinder. Be warned, though that the stamped steel platen is nigh useless.
 
Well I started last Dec 15 I have tinkered with a 1x30 belt sander like 100 bucks I went through 100 bucks worth of belts to make 15 knives at most . It lacks control Idont even use it for handles ,I forgot to mention I wore the first one out in 6 weeks then got a Kmg clone and it kicks the badest ass in the country. I have a 10 inch for hollow grinds a 1,2 and 3 inch wheel I dont even use but have for slack belt and a flat platten thats excellent. I think ive made about 40 knives on it and have improved alot due to help on this board and good tools . You can shape with a 40 dollar grinder and file and hand sand if your only goona make a few knives but if you want to do this for a while go all out and get something good. I am still using some of my original belts I bought 8 months ago and just loaded up on blaze orange ceramic belts and a few other excellent belts for finishing. The new 1200 grit abrasive structured belts are awesome to say the least I dont even really need to buff but do for 1 or 2 min . So all I can say is if you have the tools it will take less time if your good with tools and learn fast youll turn out nice knives. Lots of excellent knives are all non power tool made and you would never know. I have over 100 1x30 belts that will never see my sander now that ive got a 2 x72.
 
I did my first few knives on the first harbor freight grinder (1x30) you listed. I find it's too fast as well, but I was able to knock out some knives that I wasn't ashamed to show in public. You will go through belts fast.

Then I was given a Delta 1x42. It was an upgrade for sure. I've made a few more knives with it. I still have to watch myself closely when using it. Just a flash of inattentiveness and I'll burn a tip.

I now have a Coote 2x72, but It's sitting, waiting for me to find a motor for it. I should have the cash to purchase a new one in about 2 weeks.

I was contemplating a Sears 2x42 when I was given the Delta.

You can make knives with the smaller grinders, but I can tell you with certainty that I can't wait to get the 2x72 running.

Walter
 
jdm61...VERY well said :thumbup::)

hellgap...could you elaborate on the 2x72 KMG clone?
 
I'll throw another one at you but it will cost a bit more than $150 unless you can find a good deal on a used one.

I made knives for the first couple of years on a Jet Multitool. It uses a 2" wide belt and has a 3" wheel, platen and a disc grinder. I later bought a used Bader III 2x72 but I still find the Jet to be a very useful tool in the shop for a variety of jobs. It's a good little workhorse.

multitool_482combo.gif
 
Mike Carter Custom Knives said:
I'll throw another one at you but it will cost a bit more than $150 unless you can find a good deal on a used one.

I made knives for the first couple of years on a Jet Multitool. It uses a 2" wide belt and has a 3" wheel, platen and a disc grinder. I later bought a used Bader III 2x72 but I still find the Jet to be a very useful tool in the shop for a variety of jobs. It's a good little workhorse.
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I was going to buy a grinder also anyway, so it's something to look at. It MAY still be a bit pricey though.

Could someone give me an opinion of the usefulness of a 6" vs. 8" grinder, and whether or not a disc sander option is worth my time?
 
Ok, after some more research I'm liking the look of the Jet with 8" grinder. Couple questions though...I'm not finding much by way of 2x36 (or even 4x36) belt availability. Suggestions? Also, just purchased new as is, is that a contact wheel on the Jet or just a wheel not suitable for grinding against?

Thanks!
 
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