Is the craftsman 2x42 still a good starter?

J

jalcon

Joined
Jul 30, 2013
Messages
452
As the title says. Problem is, I can't find one anywhere anyway lol. Are they discontinued? Seems they only pop up on fleabay with inflated prices...

Is there a better alternative for <$150 ?

Thanks!
 
I got mine used for like fifty bucks about seven years ago. Put a ceramic platen liner on it and ran it hard until I replaced it this summer. Worked great for me all those years...
 
Metalhead0483 said:
I got mine used for like fifty bucks about seven years ago. Put a ceramic platen liner on it and ran it hard until I replaced it this summer. Worked great for me all those years...
Click to expand...


Same.

I think they have been discontinued. I haven't seen a new one listed anywhere for a few years now.
 
Willie71 said:
Same.

I think they have been discontinued. I haven't seen a new one listed anywhere for a few years now.
Click to expand...
They have been disco'd. They pop up on Craigslist every now and then, though they tend to disappear fairly quickly if under $100.

I managed to snag a 1/2hp two wheel older model for $65 of CL, and it was the third I tried for. I missed the first two, a three wheel and a 1/3hp newer model.
Keep in mind that the stated HP rating isn't accurate running HP, it is peak HP. My 1/2hp, probably sits around 1/3 while running, but it is OK for now.

J jalcon : What state are you located in? Maybe someone that upgraded has one sitting idle in your area.
 
Last edited:
NJBillK said:
They have been disco'd. They pop up on Craigslist every now and then, though they tend to disappear fairly quickly if under $100.

I managed to snag a 1/2hp two wheel older model for $65 of CL, and it was the third I tried for. I missed the first two, a three wheel and a 1/3hp newer model.
Keep in mind that the stated HP rating isn't accurate running HP, it is peak HP. My 1/2hp, probably sits around 1/3 while running, but it is OK for now.

J jalcon : What state are you located in? Maybe someone that upgraded has one sitting idle in your area.
Click to expand...

Yeah I figured Craigslist was the best bet. If there is anything out there comparable in that same price range, let me know. I am in southcentral PA..
 
jalcon said:
Yeah I figured Craigslist was the best bet. If there is anything out there comparable in that same price range, let me know. I am in southcentral PA..
Click to expand...
The closest that I can think of might be a two wheeled grizzly, but they to be around $500ish, but once you are in that range, other 2x72s start to come into the equation.

There may be some two wheeled 2x42s by Kalamazoo and Grizzly that are less expensive than the 2x72 grizzly stated above.
 
I mean you can always go the 1x30 route and save even more money on their cheap cheap belts! I started with one and they mostly just need platen and work rest mods.
 
check out the 1x42 viel. its what I started with till I upgraded to 2x72. I have 4 grinders now including the viel which I use for sharpening and sone scale work. I used a 1hp on mine and had the drive wheel reamed for the larger shaft.had it for a long time and it is tough as nails.
 
If you can handle the speed yeah. It didn't work for me. I got mine of Craigslist for like 75 bucks. Put a glass platen on it and bought a few ceramic belts. Just couldn't get it to work for me lol
 
an alternative is a Craftsman(or other brand name) 4x36 which you can find new for >$150. at 1100fpm belt speed, it is a good beginner machine. there is a wide selection of belts available in 4x36 as it is used by lapidary makers and metallurgical labs.
 
"IF" you can find a way to slow it down from 4400 SFPM belt speed to perhaps 1,000 to 1200 SFPM belt speed for use with finer grit belts it might do ok. With 4400 SFPM belt speed it will be for 36 to 80 grit belts and rough grinding. All in all, I'd think the 2X42 would be a good bit better than a 1X30" grinder. You could do rough grinding, then finish with sandpaper..... lots of sandpaper {g}
 
Ken H> said:
"IF" you can find a way to slow it down from 4400 SFPM belt speed to perhaps 1,000 to 1200 SFPM belt speed for use with finer grit belts it might do ok. With 4400 SFPM belt speed it will be for 36 to 80 grit belts and rough grinding. All in all, I'd think the 2X42 would be a good bit better than a 1X30" grinder. You could do rough grinding, then finish with sandpaper..... lots of sandpaper {g}
Click to expand...
Thank you. I'm sure any kind of a VFD would cost way too much. I've had this unit for about 7-8 years and I've hardly used it. I got a great deal on it hoping for that day when I retire from my job and I can slow the world down and do some things I've always wanted to do like make my first knife. A feller can dream.
 
I'm sure that's the case, it would be hard to make a VFD work on that grinder. A decent Chinese VFD will cost $100 or so, but a 3 ph motor will cost $150 to $200.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top