small belt sander choices?

Joined
Jul 27, 1999
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228
Ok, I've been haunting the pawn shops looking at small belt sanders. There seem to be two basic types, one with a horizontal 4 inch belt and vertical disc, and one with a 1 inch vertical belt and disc. I don't grind my own blades (yet) so dont think I need to spring for a Burr King right now, but for finishing handles, polishing ect. which of these seems to work best, and what are the drawbacks of each.
 
I've heard of folks that use just about everything, but I'd prefer the 1" vertical belt. My shop includes a 2"x42" vertical belt and a 6"x48" horizontal (both 1 hp with discs), so that's like a slightly larger version of the pair you described. The 2"x42" does all of my grinding, profiling, and finishing, while the 6"x48" only does certain heavy stock removal and flattening of tangs. It's easier to get a long, straight grind on a narrow belt than it is to get a wide belt into narrow places. Nevertheless, there are folks who grind blades standing over a wide, horizontal belt, so clearly it's not the equipment but learning a technique that counts.

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-Drew Gleason
Little Bear Knives
 
you will find that the 4" belt is too wide for a lot of things.....in my opinion...and it is mine....get a bigger 2x72....even an inexpensive one is better than those little machines......and the belts last much longer...and dont buy cheap belts....the expensive ones are much cheaper than the cheap ones....much!

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
Well at the risk of getting flamed into a little pile of smoking Misque cinders, I'm gonna suggest you visit Sears and check out their sanders. If your like me and you are only planning on doing this as a hobby (I make only about 8-10 knives a year) Sears has some fairly inexpensive 1"x42" and 2"x42" belt sanders under their Craftsman logo. I have one of each and they fill my bill nicely. Now this is ONLY if you are gonna flat or convex grind your blades, these sanders are not set up to do hollow grinding.
IMHO the best grinds are flat or convex for a using knife. (flame thrower pilot lights ON, gentlemen, start your torching!!)
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. I've had both grinders for a couple of years now and they do all I require of them. BTW I also have a 6"x48" horizontal grinder for stock flattening and some heavy stock removal, drill press, bench grinder, table saw, scroll saw, etc. etc... knifemaking is kinda like Pringles, "Once you pop, you can't stop"! GOOD LUCK!
 
Why not save up a little more money and buy a Grizzly 2x72 ? I think you'll be happier in the long run.

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Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6
 
I'll put in a good word for the SEARS 2x42" / 8" Disc with the 1hp motor. It cost me less than $200 and I have made several dozen knives (the largest having a 15" blade) and lots of handles on it. As noted it can't hollow grind and making the larger blades is work for it, but it just keeps chugging away and I am sure when I can afford that Burr King the SEARS will still be a valuable part of my shop for slack-belting handles and things like that. It has only suffered one failure in about 15 months of service, caused by metal grindings jamming up and shorting the switch. This was easily cleared. Mel Sorg also has one (now a backup for a 2"x72") and has also praised it in past threads.

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-Drew Gleason
Little Bear Knives
 
Check out Knives Illustrated for ads from Supergrit Abrasives, and Industrial Abrasives. You can buy 1 x 42" belt from them for under a buck each, and 2 x 42" for about $1.20 Sure beats 2 for $6-9 from Sears!

I've used, abused and rebuilt a 2 x 42" sears, and its still running long since it should have quit.....albeit with a different motor! I also have one of their old 1 x 42" that looks like a bench grinder with a disc on one side and vertical belt on the other. I've been using that one for shaping handle material for almost ten years, and put three or four years on it grinding blades before I had anything better. I use a 2 x 72" grinder now for most of my metal work, but the others still have chores that they do well, and sometimes better than the big machine.

madpoet
 
what i did is buy a 1" by 30" belt sander with a 5" disk, it's a 1/4 hp but it does what i need it to, i guess i'll but a 2" by 72", with a 1hp engine and larger disk later.
i use ceramic 36grt belts, and zirconias up to 220grt, from there i use silicon carbide up to 600grt. the disk is a hook and loop type with tungsten carbide permasand on it.
it works great, it's helped me finally make a good looking knife. i made a kyber bowie with dymondwood scales on it, but i used the grinder to polish it.
 
Check BLADE for G. L. Pearce Abrasives. Good belts and paper at great prices, and he's very pleasant to order from.


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Regards,
Desert Rat

 
hey guys, i'm getting a new belt sander, it's a kalamazoo 2" * 48". 1/2 hp. it'll work great for the bowie i'm making from o-1.
 
I was wondering if there were any other manufacturers that offered 2x42 belts, I've been thinking about buying a sears 2x42 but there are none listed in any of my supply catalogs, (Kovals, K&G, Jantz ect..) Can some be made for me??
thanks
chuck

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A Knife is no more than an Iron Tooth

 
Look in the knife mags. In the ads there are several abrasives dealers. At least one of them will have the belts for that 2"x42". Try G.L. Pearce Abrasive Co. Ph. 1-814-938-2379 for info.
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The choices we make dictates the life we lead.

 
I currently have a Sears 1x42 and it is a piece of scrap. In fact it`s my third one,I returned 2 already! I understand the older ones were very god but the newer ones must have really slipped on quality. I`ve been going really easy on the newest one hoping to make it last more than a month and the starter in the motor is shot already. It`s also running real low on what little power it had. I`ve never even gotten this one warm let alone hot so I`m sure it`s not due to abuse. This week it goes back for a refund and I add to it and order a new Grizzly 2x72. Marcus
 
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