This or That??(or that or that)

[Rowanwood]

http://www.homehardware.ca/Products...1340016/name/sander_belt_disc_4x36x6_3450_rpm
or http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...tercraft+4-in.+Belt%2BDisc+Sander.jsp#reviews
or http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/...Ntx=mode+matchall&recN=0&N=0&Ntk=P_PartNumber
OR finally
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...551P/Mastercraft+1-in.+Belt%2BDisc+Sander.jsp

I am wanting to own an affordable belt sander, and I think these are the available ones within my price range.
Which one?

 

[Bailey Knives]

This one!
http://www.beaumontmetalworks.com/index.html

I know you dont want to hear this, but I followed the same route you did. I started making knives with a hand belt sander clamped in a vise, and then moved to the Ryobi 4x36 sander. I then moved up to the KMG. If you are at all serious about knifemaking, skip the middle steps and save your pennies. Get a basic KMG and never look back. If you are just looking at this knifemaking thing, get the Ryobi, and plunk out a few. I just recently threw my Ryobi away after it sat with a broken belt for 2 years. All I am saying is that if you know you will be doing this for a while, just get the KMG. If you are still testing the waters, go with the cheaper grinder.

Hope this helps.

 

[James_Terrio]

If you're on a tight budget like me, get you a Craftsman 2x42. See this thread for some more details.

If you possibly can, follow Mr. Bailey's advise.

 

[Rowanwood]

Problem is, the craftsman 2 x 42 is not available at the Canadian sears stores. I'm just a teenager, so I think that a smaller belt sander would be fine.