Will this be worth it?

T

thegeek574

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Sep 3, 2010
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Everyone, I have a bit of a question. I am considering buying a harbor freight 1x30, and i want to know your opinion. before you go off on how it is better to go for something more expensive, hear me out. I would still be doing the bevels with files, and this would for everything from sharpening to putting finishes on my knives. I would go for something nicer, and the craftsman 2x42 is on the list, but Most of my money is going to steel right now. should I hold out, or should i go for it. I really want to be able to start convexing stuff.
 
I'd get a used craftsman or wait till it's on sale , it's only $150 and better then a HF 1x30 . Many people will chime in who are way more experienced , if you go back a few pages you'll find 3 or 4 threads similar to your question.
 
Get a 1 x 42, if you're really in a pinch, moneywise, and can't get a 2 x 72 grinder. Better selection of belts available for the 1 x 42 than for the 1 x 30.
 
Why not 2x42 , between trugrit and supergrit you can have pretty much every belt that's in 2x72 minus some like blaze ?
 
Work Sharp Knife Sharpener...$70.00 at Northern Tool+Equipment. Comes with everything you need. I HIGHLY recomend it.
Plus the HF belt sander has very limited belt grits...
 
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justtheedge said:
Work Sharp Knife Sharpener...$70.00 at Northern Tool+Equipment. Comes with everything you need. I HIGHLY recomend it.
Plus the HF belt sander has very limited belt grits...
Click to expand...

I understand that that would work great for sharpening, but I need something for cleaning up blades, too.
 
Heres my my first Harbor Freight grinder 1x30, along with a stag/file knife i did on it. I out grew it minutes, however i use for shortening small screws, burs, etc. I repositioned the plate,and other things. You could flat grind with that 4x36 they got there pretty cheap, figure some mods that work for you? Either way have fun!!!knives 045.jpg
 
dude go for it........

I've used that very sander to convex and sharpen like mad, you can get 9 to 15 micron belts, as well as leather for it.. I've even used it to grind some knives..

I still have it and use it from time and again, if it tanks out I'd buy another without a second thought.. besides.. it has the same power motor as the CM 42"

good luck..!!
 
I guess i will skip. I may just start saving like crazy and put some of the more ambitious projects aside until i get it.
 
Sounds like a better plan. As long as you are going to wait.......start looking at 2x48's or 2x72's as belt selections are much better, readily available and widely varied.
 
I build knives as a hobby and a learning experience. So the extra time it takes using a 1" belt over a 2" belt doesn't bother me. My HF 1 x 30 has about 30 hours on it. A 2" would have about 20 hours.
 
20 hours.......hmmmmm.....wouldn't you rather be developing other knifemaking skills, learning new and better finishing techniques, having a cold drink with friends or the missus? Just grinding the same piece of steel slowly and methodically is an awful boring activity and really doesn't get you far in improving your skills and abilities. Sure you're getting the grinding process down, but it's only one small aspect in the construction of a finished knife. For most of us the easiest aspect.
I forge all my blades to near finish (90 +), then drawfile and hand sand to completion once heat-treated, if it took me 20 hrs a blade, I'd seriously consider a different hobby.
 
I have made more than 20 knives on my hf 1x30 belt sander. Buy the norton blaze belts from jantz, the belts they sell at hf lose their shape and cut to quickly.
 
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