How to advice variable speed 1x30 sander

Fish30114

Fish30114

Joined
Jan 5, 2014
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I was using my Ken Onion worksharp with the blade grinding attachment on it just the other day, and I really liked how I could bring the edge in on the blades I was working on with it. This got me to thinking, I would really like a decent quality 1x30 belt sander with variable speed. What would you fine folks do to try to achieve this.

Thanks for any ideas/advice--Don
 
Don, I'm not sure a 1x30 would be the best option for a sharpening machine. All the 1x30s I'm aware of, are fitted with a single phase motor. For variable speed you need a 3 phase motor with a variable frequency drive, or a small brushed motor that you could run through a speed control like you see on a Dremel tool or small router. Converting a 1x30 to a 3 phase motor might be difficult to engineer, or in the case of a brushed speed control,it would be under powered.

If I was doing it, I'd probably get a Coote 2x48 or a 2x72 frame and use a 1hp 3ph motor and run it through a KBAC-24D drive, but you would be looking at somewhere in the range of $850 or more to set this up. Here's a video of a guy using a 2x72 Coote with a VFD:

[video=youtube;XSF3VF9aIp0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSF3VF9aIp0[/video]
 
IF the sander uses a small motor without a starting capacitor, I believe you can use a simple rheostat-type speed control.
I have been meaning to check this out.
Does anyone have input?
 
I had read recently that even dry hand sharpening does microdamage to the temper of the edge. How can a belt sander not be heating up the edge itself in an uncontrolled manner?
 
When sharpening or anytime I'm grinding post heat treat I run slow and wet to keep the blade cool.
 
I've been looking around for a belt sander as well and found a couple of variable speed bench grinders with 2x36/2x48/4x48 belt sander attachments that can be fitted.
Any recommendations against this relatively low priced option?
 
Bill DeShivs said:
Those variable speed grinders go from real fast to haul ass.
They don't run slow enough to do what you want. I have a couple of them.
Click to expand...

That's what I was thinking after reading the RPM specs. That and they seem to be underpowered.
Back to the drawing board.
 
Would it be possible to run a bench grinder with a pulley to a large diameter wheel mounted to the belt drive axle?

I don't know what hp motor would be required since I am sure the torque would drop off significantly.

Bench grinder > pulley > belt > bicycle rim* > drive axle > belt drive wheel > belt grinder?

*bicycle rim suggested since that was the lightest large diameter wheel I could think of, thus robbing less torque to get moving. Though a light wheel would maintain less momentum once up to speed.
-------
I doubt this would work, but does it get anyone thinking laterally?
 
Lieblad said:
Did you read that on-line ?
Hmmm.
Rubbing your fingers over a blade removes microscopic bits of the blade too.
Realise internet is like public toilet stall of information.

Fwiw, beltgrinders can overheat a workpiece. Right quickly too.
An operator understanding the overall grinding process can prevent damages.
Click to expand...

Yes, I did. Here:

http://www.hypefreeblades.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=682

Roman Landes is a materials scientist and knife maker with access to an extensive laboratory. Apparently he just proved something that was already known in some circles. It's an interesting read.
 
There are Chinese 1 X 30 variable speed vertical/horizontal grinders available on Ebay. They cost about $300.
I would buy one if I had room for it.
 
Fish30114 said:
I was using my Ken Onion worksharp with the blade grinding attachment on it just the other day, and I really liked how I could bring the edge in on the blades I was working on with it. This got me to thinking, I would really like a decent quality 1x30 belt sander with variable speed. What would you fine folks do to try to achieve this.

Thanks for any ideas/advice--Don
Click to expand...
Look up curry custom cutlery on YouTube he has multiple videos about how he modifies his 1x30
 
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