Advice on 1 x 42 Belt Sanders..........

Bimmer1

Bimmer1

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I am going to give knife making a try in 2004. My focus will be Japanese style blades, especially wakizashi style short swords. My knifemaking friend, David Dempsey told me to purchase a 1 x 42 belt sander. What brands should I look for if I want a good quality sander on a medium sized budget. I do not want to waste money on something that will not do what I need, but at the same time I cannot afford the best.

Thanks for your input
 
I have a Delta 1x42 with 8" disk that I gave $99 for at Lowe's last summer, not bad for the price, but the belt is a PIA to change. I used to have a Sears that served its purpose and has been put out to pasture with my Nieces husband. The best I have had is an old, no make that ancient Rockwell that is under my workbench waiting to be rebuilt. None of the 1x42's I've seen up-close are really suited for metal work, especially as a primary grinder (not that lots of us don't use them anyway) open motors, bad platens, guards to keep you safe that also keep you from doing anything useful, etc. Besides it is hard to find any "good" (variety of grits, backing weight, abrasive materials selection) belts in the 1x42 size. Check out Kalamazoo type sanders, you'll need to get a motor and build a stand, but they are simple, rugged and easy to modify. Or for a few dollars more you could opt for a Grizzly knifemakers grinder. In Wayne Goddard's book, the $50 Knife Shop, he has some good examples and tips to build your own grinder on the cheap. If all you can get now is a 1x42 then by all means go for it, but for what I've put into 1x42's over the years I could have gotten a Grizzly, or probabaly close to one of Mr. Frink's KMG's set up for variable speeds.

Todd
 
I have a KMG and a Delta 1x42 and I use both on a nearly daily basis. The Delta has really held up well - though there are others who have had the top pulley break the first time out of the box. A quick call to Delta, and a replacement was on its way. Just FYI. I still think it's the best.

I threw away the cover, so changes belts is a snap. Of course, I work outside and don't care about dust...may be different in your situation.

I made about a few dozen knives and knife-kits on the Delta before getting the KMG.

Your first short sword will be a pain in the rear, but you'll have so much fun doing it - you'll forget any pain.

Start with something smaller the first time around - maybe 5-6" long blade and a simple, straight handle.

Get your belts (available in many types/grits in your size) from Discount Abrasives - good product, quick service.

$99 is what I paid for my Delta, as well. It's on sale practically every other weekend, so it ought to be easy to get. If that's too much, look into a 1x30 from Harbor Freight - which can be had for $30 or $40 and sometimes, with free shipping.

That said, I'd strongly consider the 2x42 that Sears (craftsman) makes. That way, you can use 2" belts for grinding steel (faster) and 1" belts for sanding handles (easier to control). This also goes on sale every other weekend...:rolleyes: for around $100.

Best of luck!
 
Bimmer1,
I also have a 99$ delta 1x42. Is it usefull? Yes, but in hindsight I wish I had applied that money toward something more substantial. Like Nabok said they aren't really designed for metal work and knifemaking. And as Pen pointed out you will always find a use for it if you have it, and it is certainly better than nothing. FWIW if I was going to do it all over again I would have put the hundred bucks toward a better machine.

Good Luck,
Rick
 
Thanks for the input. It sounds like the bad outweighs the good on having a 1 x 42 as my main grinder.

What other suggestions do you have? What would be a good size and brand for a primary grinder that will not cost me an arm and a leg so to speak?

I do not want to put $100 into a grinder if something better can be obtained for twice the price or so. I have a larger budget than $100 and I want to be satisfied with my purchase. I prefer quality, durability, ease of use, and availablity of belts/parts.

Tha 1 x 42 grinder was suggested as a way to get started on a minimal budget. Of course I need some files, sandpaper, bench vise, and a small drill press as well. So I have to factor in the cost of everything.
 
Lots of folks like the grizzly starter. I think it's around $250-$300 (?). Do a search on "grizzly" in ShopTalk - you'll find a link quickly.
 
http://www.grizzly.com/products/ite...2C9E-D579-4393-9E5E-4F39B7E18CC4&site=grizzly

Its on sale for $295 now and $40 S&H. No experience with it, but I do have a buffer from them that for the price is a fine machine. I recall there were some tips and fixes for the Grizzly, may be some one with one will post them.

http://www.kalamazooindustries.com/ Check out the model 2FS72 has an 8 inch contact wheel and takes a 2x72 belt. No price listed most industrial supply places can order for you or I think you can buy direct. It looks like you might be able to change over to third party wheels to go larger or smaller; their web page is thin on details, you supply your own motor. I found they have a .pdf catalog on the company info page. We had a 2x48 Kalamazoo at a leather goods manufacture that I used to work at, judging from that one they are simple, rugged and easy to modify, some days we ran it all day stopping only to change belts and for lunch.


http://www.bulkley.net/~rtaylor/beltgrinder.htm is someone link page about belt grinders, it does include Mike Alexander's Belt Grinder about as simple a home built as you will find. http://www.mstarling.com/The_Craft/Tool_Plans/_Belt_Grinder/_belt_grinder.html
None are quite on par with a Hardcore or Bader or Burking, but the leave the 1x42's and the like in their dust, for a few dollars more there is KMG that by all accounts is in a class by itself.

Todd
 
Bimmer1,

No too long ago I was in a similar situation. I wanted to try my hand at knife making but was not sure if it is something that I would stick with. I was not limited too badly by budget but did not want to throw too much money into in for fear that it would be a fly by night hobby. I ended up going mid-way and bought a Coote grinder (2x72")with step pulley and a 10" contact wheel. This machine is a great buy and I feel will take much longer to outgrow than the 1x42". There are many other choices out there. If you think you may not be satisfied with the 1x42...then you likely will not be. Have fun, knife making is a great journey!

Take Care
Dean

edited to add: Here is the link to the Coote website Coote Grinders
 
I have a Delta 1x42 that I have used for over
ten years to shape tight areas and handles. I
also occasionally use it to put on convex edges.
It has stood up very well.

It is not a good choice as a primary grinder.
The platen is not strong enough for any extended or
fine flat grinding, and there is no contact wheel
for hollow grinding. I suppose you could grind
convex blades on the slack belt on high tension if
you are patient.

I also have one of the Coote 2x48 grinders
mentioned above. I have had this machine for 25
years. It was my only big grinder for 20 years.
I don't make a lot of knives, but over 20 years
it saw a LOT of use. In 25 years the only thing I
ever did to it was replace the pulley once, and
the platen twice. I still often use it. This is
a fine grinder.

Having said all of that, it is still a good
idea to get a 2x72 if you can swing it, because
of the wide variety of abrasive belts. You can
get a fine little Delta 1x30 for about 40 dollars
that works fine for handle shaping and sharpening.
 
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