Rookie question...belt sander differences

The Craftsman is fine up to about 120grit. Past that it is hard for me to maintian a straight grind line because the speed makes is necessary to cool the piece frequently and it pulls the piece like crazy. If you do rough grinding on the Craftsman and hand sand out you will be fine.
 
What about these? the hurricane 2 x 48? or the kalamazoo that everyone talks about? are those better, worse, etc? they seem to be in the same price range as the other ones. they actually look more like knife making belt sanders to me
 
d.weglarz13 said:
What about these? the hurricane 2 x 48? or the kalamazoo that everyone talks about? are those better, worse, etc? they seem to be in the same price range as the other ones. they actually look more like knife making belt sanders to me
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Good ideas but out of my price range right now. I'm only considering the Jet Multi Tool b/c I was going to buy a grinder anyway...but still pricey.
 
What is the cheapest way of slowing the Craftsman down?
Sorry, not trying to hyjack.
 
Porkbilly.223 said:
What is the cheapest way of slowing the Craftsman down?
Sorry, not trying to hyjack.
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No worries, I'd love to hear ideas on that too. Although I seem to recall doing a search and reading in another thread that it is not possible, or is highly unadvisable...anyone?
 
jkf96a -

Earlier on you went into some detail about how you modified your craftsman 2" to be more useful for knife making. Could you post a couple of picture so that us beginners could get a better idea of your mods? Specifically the shaping of the platen, but the tensioner mod as well? I only ask because I am thinking that my 6" Delta is going to be quite useless for knife making, so am considering the Craftsman 2" to help get me going.

I've also found a Craftsman 1" locally on craigslist. Would that be easier to control heat on the blade for a beginner? I plan on starting with smaller knives, and balis.
 
JMDesigns said:
jkf96a -

Earlier on you went into some detail about how you modified your craftsman 2" to be more useful for knife making. Could you post a couple of picture so that us beginners could get a better idea of your mods? Specifically the shaping of the platen, but the tensioner mod as well? I only ask because I am thinking that my 6" Delta is going to be quite useless for knife making, so am considering the Craftsman 2" to help get me going.

I've also found a Craftsman 1" locally on craigslist. Would that be easier to control heat on the blade for a beginner? I plan on starting with smaller knives, and balis.
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It is not the size of the belt that generates heat but the speed. A slow moving belt doesn't create as much friction, so will be better for hardened blades. This also leaves less room for mistake. The Craftsman 2x42 is a workhorse and a good machine, but it takes patience to use it.
 
I don't have pics right now, might can take some later. I think it was James Terrio who did the mod to the tension arm to allow better slack belt grinding above the platen. There were some pics posted on here before, I'll try to look them up if I have time this afternoon.
 
einsteinjon I bought a 2x72 that is simular to the kmg with a few major improvments and less money looks almost exactly the same but has no welds . It is all machined and bolted and milled perfectly. It has a 1, 2 and 3 inch contact wheel also a steady reast and flat platten and a 10 inch smooth contact wheel for hollow grinding for 1400 landed at my door I found my own motor for another 200 but this machine kicks ass. kellyw
 
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