Sears 2" x 42" 1-HP

G

GW

Joined
Jan 20, 2000
Messages
18
I am thinking of buying the above grinder as my first - has anyone had experience with this particular brand and model? Do you think it would be a suitable machine or a waste of time? Are belts readily available in this size? Would I be better off buying some wheels and building a 2" x 72"? Questions questions questions!

Please give me your thoughts!
 
I used the 2"x42" from sears for almost two years, with no problem,but this last november i purchesed a wilton, wish I would have done that from the start, ther is no comparison,but one does as they can afford i guess.
 
GW, one thing to decide is how many blades do you think you'll be making a week? I went through two of these grinders in less than 2 months. Burned the motors(which are Chinese) up.Of course I was grinding with them probably 4-5 hours a day!!! If you'll notice, the motors are also brushless.
I know $900 for a Wilton is alot of upfront money, but if you're planning on making knives to sell, you can't go wrong. My Wilton paid for itself in the first couple months. Take care!! Michael

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"
 
Oh yeah,, if you do get a Wilton or other belt grinder, get the smooth contact wheel. I got stuck with a serrated wheel for three years because the person that took the order at Jantz didn't know squat about grinding a blade. Smooth wheel = smooth grinding!!
 
GW,
I started out on a Craftsman grinder as well. I experienced two primary problems: (1) Grinding was slow because the motors are not powerful enough (the power is overrated, IMHO), and (2) they are difficult to grind blades with due to the design of the grinder (e.g., slack belt grinding). I still use the Craftsman, as it works great for handle material. If you have the money or the desire to spend it, buy the Wilton. If not, consider buying the Grizzly. It is a 2X72 with a 1hp motor. It is not as good as the high priced grinders, but for $335 (with shipping) it is well worth the money. I suggest that you check it out at www.grizzlyindustrial.com (do a search under G1015), and check other posts in the forums by doing a search under "Grizzly". It does require some rework to grind well, but the investment is minimal.

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None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free. -Goethe
 
If you're handy and know machines, you can probably build a decent 2 x 72" grinder by buying the wheel, idler wheel, shaft, pulley and used or refurbed motor for about the same money and have something you can use forever.

As you move on to other machines, you'll find that the first machine will continue to be used for certain tasks.

If you can afford it, buy a good machine like a Wilton or Bader (I have a Wilton, but would recommend the Bader). And if you have a lot of money, make it variable speed.

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Jerry Hossom
knifemaker
www.hossom.com


 
I have the Craftsman. Works great for handles but needs more power for grinding blades. Small blades are fine, just not big bowies. The horsepower is not there for hogging the steel. Like the others, I would say to decide how many knives you plan to make. If only a few, the Craftsman would be ok if used carefully. I have looked at the Grizzly and they look good for the money. I plan on owning one of them when Grizzly gets them back in stock in their new Springfield, MO store. If you plan on grinding lots of blades, go with the Wilton, Bador, or Burr King. The Wilton is my dream to own someday.....



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Craig Blankenship
Blankenship Knives
http://www.blankenship-knives.com
 
Thanks for all your help - point has been well-taken. I do believe that my money would be better spent on building myself a grinder. The only wheels that I have found are from Bader - does anyone know of other sources?

GW
 
For your own piece of mind do not buy a bader you will be kicking your self forever the tracking sucks Im getting rid of mine I sent it back to the factory twice to get it fixed still dont track they cant drill a straight hole and you need a roll of electric tape to crown the belt tightner i allso have a wilton and burr king
 
I don't own one, but that is the first negative comment I've heard about Bader grinders. I now have a Wilton and a Blademaster, and was thinking of getting a Bader B3. Which model do you have Gerome?

I appreciate the input.



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Jerry Hossom
knifemaker
www.hossom.com


 
I just got that Sears grinder for x-mas! It works great for me. I am not selling blades yet, so it suits my needs. The instructions that come with it aren't that good though. I went to loosen a screw to adjust the tracking (as the instructions said) but I loosened the wrong one and now I have no tension on the belt! It is no problem to fix though...

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"Come What May..."
 
me and my brother both purchased one and they work fine .when you can get one on sale they run about 190 bucks .hey if your just getting started and don't want to invest a lot up front this is the way to go.
 
In defense of the Bader. I just bought a B3 and have experienced no tracking problems with it. I understand the B2 had some problems but they have all been corrected. And the folks at Bader are a great bunch of people.

Marcel
 
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