Upgrade from Rikon 1x30 to Kalamazoo 1x42?

K

Kerneldrop

Joined
Jun 13, 2021
Messages
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I have a Rikon 1x30 variable speed belt sander.
Would I see a benefit if I bought the Kalamazoo 1x42?

The Rikon belt speed is 1,909 SFPM
The Kalamazoo belt speed is 1,800 SFPM

The Muti-Position Kalamazoo by design is nice. I have the Rikon laying flat for the same effect.
I get a much better sharper blade when the belt is flat versus horizontal/upright.
I guess my natural movement mechanics are just meant for a flat-positioned belt.

Thank you
 
Do you see yourself going farther than sharpening? What kind of space do you have available?
If you're going to drop 400 on a Kalamazoo, and can afford the next step up beyond that (variable speed, 2" belts, etc.) I'm going to encourage you in that direction. It's a deep, deep hole.
 
polish avenger said:
Do you see yourself going farther than sharpening? What kind of space do you have available?
If you're going to drop 400 on a Kalamazoo, and can afford the next step up beyond that (variable speed, 2" belts, etc.) I'm going to encourage you in that direction. It's a deep, deep hole.
Click to expand...

Ha it is a deep hole.
I don’t see myself going further than sharpening.

The next step up is a giant leap. Ha
It’s crazy how steep the 2x72” belt sanders/grinders are compared to a $400 1x42.

I thought about instead of another belt sander to try a Tormek. But I get good results with the belt sander so I wasn’t sure if it was advantageous and by the time you use a T-8 you are $1k in.
 
Coote is an option. With pulleys and a craigslist motor, you get some control and great abrasive options. I've owned a few of them (still have one, in fact) and they beat the hell out of smaller machines.
 
polish avenger said:
Coote is an option. With pulleys and a craigslist motor, you get some control and great abrasive options. I've owned a few of them (still have one, in fact) and they beat the hell out of smaller machines.
Click to expand...

Thank you. I'll look into those and what all it takes to build it. I'm unfamiliar with it but I can learn.
 
Sure thing! In the end, do what makes you happy. I have never regretted the "buy once cry once" mantra. However, I've bought a lot of stuff that I've gotten inexpensively enough to say "tried it" and then traded up.
 
I have heard good things about Viel tools. Their 1x42 can easily be used vertically or horizontally. Also have attachment/guides for sharpening knives, scissors, planer blades etc. Best part their pricing is very reasonable.
 
I'd say pass on that "upgrade"

If you want a better 1" look at the Lee Valley models.
You add your own motor, and are cheap, but they get good reviews
 
Crag the Brewer said:
I'd say pass on that "upgrade"

If you want a better 1" look at the Lee Valley models.
You add your own motor, and are cheap, but they get good reviews
Click to expand...

is there a benefit to sharpening a knife on the contact wheel versus the platen?
I only have the platen or right above it where the belt has some slack, so I have no experience with sharpening on the contact wheel side.
There's a Youtube video of the Microtech founder sharpening a knife on the contact wheel...so it got my wondering if that is a superior placement.

I do have mdf wheels on my grinder and those are nice to use.
 
Kerneldrop said:
is there a benefit to sharpening a knife on the contact wheel versus the platen?
I only have the platen or right above it where the belt has some slack, so I have no experience with sharpening on the contact wheel side.
There's a Youtube video of the Microtech founder sharpening a knife on the contact wheel...so it got my wondering if that is a superior placement.

I do have mdf wheels on my grinder and those are nice to use.
Click to expand...

Contact wheels will give you a hollow grind, if that is what you want.
Platen will give you a flat bevel of your liking.
Slack belt grinding will give you a convex edge

Me personally, I grind close to a finished edge. To about .015" thick.
then I Hand grind my bevels on bench stones.
 
I don't have experience with the machines, but logically I don't see how the 1x42 would give you better results than the 1x30. Either way it's a 1" belt traveling at about the same speed. The 1x42 belts would last longer, of course. Maybe there are other factors, like noise, reliability, or dust collection that would weigh in favor of the Kalamazoo?
 
Since the original post I’ve discovered the 1x30 machines using a sewing machine motor that can go down to 400 sfm. They are cheap enough to think about trying one just to see.
 
I’ve seen videos of people modding 1x30s with sewing machine motors. Does someone sell them that way stock?
 
Blade Lab said:
I’ve seen videos of people modding 1x30s with sewing machine motors. Does someone sell them that way stock?
Click to expand...

Yes, eBay has them ready to go. Otherwise you buy a host like a harbor freight sander or equivalent off Amazon, buy the modded wheels from Curry Custom Cutlery, and buy a DC Variable control sewing machine off eBay or amazon. The DIY folks get a Viel then modify it several ways to get it to work. In the end the eBay one is the same money if you bought it all separate and put it together.

www.ebay.com

550W Belt Sander Grinder Machine Polishing Brushless Motor Grinding Sharpener | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 550W Belt Sander Grinder Machine Polishing Brushless Motor Grinding Sharpener at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com

If you have the host already here’s the link to the wheels done for you: https://shop.currycustomcutlery.com/collections/machine-parts/products/test-bundle
 
That looks pretty good, but I can't see how you would attach an angle guide to the platen, which is something I would want to do.
 
Blade Lab said:
That looks pretty good, but I can't see how you would attach an angle guide to the platen, which is something I would want to do.
Click to expand...

You can do with that with the harbor freight or Electronix Express (Amazon) paired with the angle guide... You can email curry customs but I believe the sewing machine motor is a direct bolt on.

I thought I would like the angle guide...i took it off, stay edge trailing and get better results than edge leading and using the angle guide.
I could never keep the blade on the angle guide the entire length of the blade and my movement mechanics are just more repeatable and fluid not using the guide.
Of course we all have different levels of sharpness that we're wanting to achieve.
 
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