For those who own the Kalamazoo 1x42 belt sander

K

kmcdonou

Joined
Mar 16, 2012
Messages
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I have one and have been using it the past 5 years or so to sharpen knives. Does a good job of that as long as I do my part. One thing I have noticed is that the belt tension loosens fairly regularly, requiring me to pull up on the tensioning arm and re-tighten via the knob.

Has anyone experienced this loosening and found away to modify the tightening mechanism to maintain tension?

Alternatively, I would consider replacing this unit with a better one, but I haven't come across any 1x42 grinders/sanders through searches here that are a clear improvement. The Viel that is often mentioned with the Kalamazoo has reports of loosening too.

Suggestions?
 
I'm kind of lost about your post. The tightening knob on mine mainly keeps the wheel from turning left or right. It does also lock the tensioner shaft but the pressure (at least on mine) is tightened by the internal spring pushing up when the knob is loosened. Make sure there's nothing causing the shaft to stick, it should keep the belt tight without tightening the knob.

Also there is nothing better IMHO without going to a wider/longer belt.
 
Hmm, I see what you are saying. I thought the knob tightened the shaft too. It must a little, because when I put on the belt and turn the machine on, after a little bit I can see a wobble in the belt. If I push up on the shaft and retighten the knob, the wobble goes away (but not for very long). As a result, I was thinking the knob somehow tightened the clamp, which helps hold the shaft in place.
 
I don't even use the knob. I leave it undone so it holds the belt under tension.
 
So, both of you don't get a wobble in the belt when letting the spring alone set tension? If not, maybe I need a replacement spring?
 
I've had a 1SM for a few months now. I've used it a good bit, but not every day or anything.

Just yesterday I tensioned a belt and thought it looked weird. The mast/head did not seem to push "up" to it's fully extended position. I messed with it some and it looks like it's closer to normal. But suddenly the belt tension does not seem the same. I might disassemble the mast and see what I can figure out. It's always been a little bit "sticky" since I first got it.

That area seems like it would benefit from some grease internally.

For the moment, mine is working ok, but it doesn't seem normal.

Brian.
 
That's a good idea. Maybe some grease will allow it to go fully up. I will take mine apart and check it out.
 
The only time I use the knob is when I use a leather belt. I use it then to keep from putting too much tension on the belt and stretching it prematurely.
 
I have a question for those with the Kalamazoo 1SM 1 x 42 Inch Belt Sander.

Do all the wheels come balanced and true? Meaning can I expect if I bought a Kalamazoo 1SM that it would run perfectly smooth?

Also there are 2 motors available. The stock one is 1725rpm and they have an optional one that is 1425rpm. Or at least that is what I'm seeing on the webpage: https://www.kalamazooind.com/product/1sm-1-x-42-inch-belt-sander/
Of the two, what rpm motor rpm would be best for sharpening?
 
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oceanrider said:
Do all the wheels come balanced and true? Meaning can I expect if I bought a Kalamazoo 1SM that it would run perfectly smooth?
Click to expand...

Yes and no. It runs just fine out of the box. The head is adjustable by twisting it left to right. This affects the tracking of the belt and makes it run much more smoothly when the tracking is correct. It takes just a few seconds each time you change the belt. This video segment starting at 1:54 should give you a demonstration of the tracking and the smoothness of operation:


I think it's a very good shop tool. It's not a precision instrument. It's kind of like an old Ford truck. It's well built, works for it's purpose, and long lasting. It's not sophisticated or precision engineered. It's not a BMW M3. The Kalamazoo is also priced more like a Ford truck than a BMW M3. :)

Also there are 2 motors available. The stock one is 1725rpm and they have an optional one that is 1425rpm. Or at least that is what I'm seeing on the webpage: https://www.kalamazooind.com/product/1sm-1-x-42-inch-belt-sander/
Of the two, what rpm motor rpm would be best for sharpening?
Click to expand...

I think you're splitting hairs. It's a 20% difference. The stock motor (1725RPM) seems to work just fine for sharpening.

Brian.
 
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bgentry said:
Yes and no. It runs just fine out of the box. The head is adjustable by twisting it left to right. This affects the tracking of the belt and makes it run much more smoothly when the tracking is correct. It takes just a few seconds each time you change the belt. This video segment starting at 1:54 should give you a demonstration of the tracking and the smoothness of operation:

I think it's a very good shop tool. It's not a precision instrument. It's kind of like an old Ford truck. It's well built, works for it's purpose, and long lasting. It's not sophisticated or precision engineered. It's not a BMW M3. The Kalamazoo is also priced more like a Ford truck than a BMW M3. :)

I think you're splitting hairs. It's a 20% difference. The stock motor (1725RPM) seems to work just fine for sharpening.

Brian.
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Thanks Brian. I understand about the tracking. What I was more concerned with would be wheels out of true like the Rikon variable speed. But I think that is more of a plastic molding manufacturing issue. The wheels on a Rikon can come near 1/16” wobble because they are just cheap plastic molding. That near 1/16” can vibrate the belt. Wheels on high-end belt sanders would be machined perfectly true.

I overlooked one aspect of the optional 1425rpm motor. It is 50hz so not applicable for anyone in the U.S. really.
 
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I believe the wheels are pretty true. There's no wobble or "whump" that I can detect. You know how out of true wheels make a periodic sound as they harmonically oscillate? I don't hear any of that stuff from my sander. Every now and then I hear something strange that I think is the joint on the belt itself; mostly on the leather belt. But it really does run quite nicely.

Funny about the motor! The difference in speed (RPMs) is almost exactly the same as the difference in AC frequency. EG, 60/50 = 1.2 . 1725/1425 =~ 1.21

I know you're considering a lot of options and combinations. I'll be interested to hear what you select and how you like it. Good luck!

Brian.
 
I have the Rikon and wished I bought the Kalamazoo. It was a little more than I wanted to spend at the time, but now i know that I will have to upgrade at some pint. Buy once, cry once!
 
CasePeanut said:
I have the Rikon and wished I bought the Kalamazoo. It was a little more than I wanted to spend at the time, but now i know that I will have to upgrade at some pint. Buy once, cry once!
Click to expand...
At this point I'm still going to look into a Viel a bit more, because it has the ability to install a variable speed motor and jigs that are available. So eventually either a Kalamazoo or a Viel.
 
bgentry said:
I believe the wheels are pretty true. There's no wobble or "whump" that I can detect. You know how out of true wheels make a periodic sound as they harmonically oscillate? I don't hear any of that stuff from my sander. Every now and then I hear something strange that I think is the joint on the belt itself; mostly on the leather belt. But it really does run quite nicely.

Funny about the motor! The difference in speed (RPMs) is almost exactly the same as the difference in AC frequency. EG, 60/50 = 1.2 . 1725/1425 =~ 1.21

I know you're considering a lot of options and combinations. I'll be interested to hear what you select and how you like it. Good luck!

Brian.
Click to expand...
I haven’t used my Kally in a couple of years and I bought the kit from gepper before this angle kit came out. My question is, what is that belt that you have on your Kally?
 
RoMo said:
I haven’t used my Kally in a couple of years and I bought the kit from gepper before this angle kit came out. My question is, what is that belt that you have on your Kally?
Click to expand...

The belt in my video above is a Trizact A45, which is roughly equivalent to 400 grit. I use a lot of Trizact belts in my sharpening. Mostly the 180 grit equivalent, but I've used 3 or 4 others as well. I like them. Grepper does not like them and others have complained that they don't like the interrupted pattern on the surface of the belt. I believe that it's a "stacked" abrasive, so it wears off as time goes by, exposing fresh material and keeps the belt "sharp". I believe it also uses those channels between the bumps to move away ground metal and possibly help with cooling. The cooling part is just a guess; I have not researched it.

Brian.
 
Mine that I have (trizact) look totally different. Mine are probably 7-10 years old. Thanks for the info.

Rob
 
I mainly use norton blaze belts and unless I leave a belt on the grinder it is rare I would need to retention before I wore the belt out. If I leave the belt on the machine it will stretch, requiring a retention before use but that is to be expected.
 
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