Stone wheel grinder or a 1x30 belt grinder

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Wolfie79

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Dec 29, 2020
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So, I've just started making knives, and I don't have a proper area to grind knives. So I need the grinder to be somewhat portable since I'll be working in my sister's back garden. I do stock removal method.

So I'm looking at a stone wheel grinder which is quiet with water cooling, got some stones down to 200 grit. Seems really nice with its jigs and all. Or, a 1x30 belt grinder. Saw simple life and he was quite impressed. A 2x72 or larger isn't an option. The benefit here seems to be to easily change belts to your needs. But there's probably things I don't know about.

So my question is what would you choose, and is a stone grinder a valid option for stock removal? Anyone that uses a stone wheel grinder for stock removal?
 
What size stone? If it's a 6" or 8" bench grinder, I'd rather have the 1x30. It isn't great for knife making, but if you add in a glass platen and some good ceramic belts, you can definitely do some great work with it.
 
It's a tormek t4, so 8 inch stone I believe. The water collection is really nice so I can have it in my.apartment. But if it's a mess using it then it's not worth it. Wanna be able to remove the material efficiently.
 
How effective do you think the stone will be for removing steel compared to a belt grinder?
 
The problem with the Tormek is that it is a sharpening system, so it isn't designed to remove large amounts of steel. It would take a very long time to make any progress. It is also a 400 dollar machine, which at that point, you are at least getting into DIY 2x72 or buying a 2x42 grinder territory. If portability is an issue, then a 2x42 might fit the bill for you, such as this one: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...txlhMF6tBkHKyAqmXqiDWlYj-eeTdRFsaAm7jEALw_wcB

Keep in mind, however, that these 2x42 machines run very fast and do not have variable speed. If your budget tops out around 400 though, variable speed is significantly harder to achieve. You'd be looking at trying to wire up a treadmill motor and controller, and then trying to protect those things from the grinding dust that will kill them.

Do you mind telling us where you're from? That would help determine the best options for you.
 
Wow, that was a beautiful machine, and great input. You pointed out what I was afraid off. I'm from Sweden.
 
I have had great results with my 1by30, it isn't going to be the best at anything(except possibly for quickly sharpening knives) but gets the job done. FYI if you go this route the fastest cutting belts i have tried so far on my 1by30 are the zirconia belts the ones I use cost somewhere around $4 or $5 a pack and come in assorted grits at my local big box store(the finest grit in those packs is 120 so you still would want other belts finish your knives) one pack is about enough to grind 1 small or possibly medium sized knife before they start getting too dull but that is just how belts are they don't last super long. Relative to other belt grinders the only advantages of a 1 by 30 are the compact size and low price(you can even find variable speed options for less than $200) larger belts simply last longer, more powerful motors allow you to cut faster, and larger attachments tend to be more rigid.
 
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Perhaps someone from Europe can chime in here. A variable speed 1x30 would probably be pretty nice with a glass platen.
 
Op why don't you take a look at Fucina's 1x30 with variable speed? Pretty nifty set up.

Oh, and they are in Europe I believe ☝️

I DEFINITELY would not get a tormek for grinding knives... It's only for wishes and even then I hear it's super slow.
 
If you're in europe, stop looking at inch standard sizes.

Figure out the standard belt sizes in mm's and look at those machines.
Power 110 vs 220 volts will also be an issue.



Klingspore Germany does make up belts all sizes, charging by belt area
www.klingspor.de

en-de

www.klingspor.de www.klingspor.de
 
12345678910 said:
If you're in europe, stop looking at inch standard sizes.

Figure out the standard belt sizes in mm's and look at those machines.
Power 110 vs 220 volts will also be an issue.



Klingspore Germany does make up belts all sizes, charging by belt area
www.klingspor.de

en-de

www.klingspor.de www.klingspor.de
Click to expand...
I didn't, I converted to inch from mm to keep the conversation going.
 
GABaus said:
I have had great results with my 1by30, it isn't going to be the best at anything(except possibly for quickly sharpening knives) but gets the job done. FYI if you go this route the fastest cutting belts i have tried so far on my 1by30 are the zirconia belts the ones I use cost somewhere around $4 or $5 a pack and come in assorted grits at my local big box store(the finest grit in those packs is 120 so you still would want other belts finish your knives) one pack is about enough to grind 1 small or possibly medium sized knife before they start getting too dull but that is just how belts are they don't last super long. Relative to other belt grinders the only advantages of a 1 by 30 are the compact size and low price(you can even find variable speed options for less than $200) larger belts simply last longer, more powerful motors allow you to cut faster, and larger attachments tend to be more rigid.
Click to expand...
That's great to hear. From this input i'm starting to feel a proper 1x30 is the choice. There's also a lot of those that look like the attached image. Can't really get a flex with it, since it's a sturdy back. But larger grind area.


image.jpg
 
Wolfie79 said:
How effective do you think the stone will be for removing steel compared to a belt grinder?
Click to expand...
That would be like race between rabbit and turtle........where Tormek is turtle , a turtle with two broken legs . It is simple to slow to use it for heavy grinding bevels .........
 
I started out with a Tormek for sharpening. As mentioned above, it's super-slow ... the stone isn't coarse enough for significant stock removal ... and the water system makes a real mess. Get a belt grinder!
 
Wolfie79 said:
That's great to hear. From this input i'm starting to feel a proper 1x30 is the choice. There's also a lot of those that look like the attached image. Can't really get a flex with it, since it's a sturdy back. But larger grind area.


image.jpg
Click to expand...

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$ 250 in my money.

I had one of those and threw it away.

No damned good at all.

Underpowered, you could stop it with light pressure.

No tracking control

No decent tension control

No off the shelf belts for steel, all aluminum oxide for wood.

By the time you buy a 1x30, then 1x42, then a 4x48, next a 2x48 finally a 2x72 you could have paid for half the 2x72 with all the poor ones you went through first.

Look at a 2x48 like the craftsman used to be, or if you have any skills at all, build a 2x72
No you don't need to weld.
Drill press and bolt together.
 
Thank you all for all your input. This certainly taught me a lot. I wont be able to have a 2x72 just simply due to it's size, but a 1x30 or maybe slightly bigger will be what I'll get.
 
Wolfie79 said:
Thank you all for all your input. This certainly taught me a lot. I wont be able to have a 2x72 just simply due to it's size, but a 1x30 or maybe slightly bigger will be what I'll get.
Click to expand...
Why you don t make one yourself ? All you need is angle grinder , drill press and little skill to use them ? This is mine 2 x42 grinder , just look at it how simple is to make one .........several hole in right place and that is that .All you need is some material and wheels ?
approximately 32 x 32 x 32 centimeters

8DR6CML.jpg

skwQIa8.jpg

XrsTuio.jpg
 
Don't buy a beltgrinder untill you can afford variable speed.
You need variable speed to work properly.

And there is no 110V in Europe, only 220 or 380 3 phase
 
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