Recommendation? Rikon 50-161VS versus Grizzly G0864 1x30 belt sander

[oceanrider]

I am considering to purchase a 1 x 30 belt sander for knife sharpening. Mainly because of various YouTube videos I have seen of knife sharpening using Belt Sanders of various types. I am looking for input from anyone here that might have experience with them.

I have had a Jet 10" wet sharpener for at least 7yrs that needs replacement. I have also have and use hand wet stones But I want to try something that might be a bit quicker.

 

[tommytman]

I’m interested in this....would it be better than a worksharp onion ?

 

[oceanrider]

I’m interested in this....would it be better than a worksharp onion ?

I would think so.

With the KO Worksharp you would need the $80 Blade Grinder attachment to even start to compare IMO. But you would not have an adjustable blade rest, you would be freehand. So $130 for the KO Work Sharp, and another $80 for Blade Grinder attachment.

 

[CasePeanut]

I have the worksharp and the Rikon VS. the Rikon is a step up from the Worksharp. I doubt there is much difference between the Rikon and the Grizzly. The main difference in the spec sheets is the Rikon claims to be 1/4hp more powerful, but most motor ratings these days seem to be all over the place.

I haven’t used the Kalamazoo, but it is the next step up above the Rikon and Grizzly - especially with the Kally Rest.

I chose the Rikon for a few reasons. the smaller frame, ease of mounting it to a box for horizontal operation and a strong recommendation from Cliff Curry. I used the money I would have spent on a Kalamazoo and Kally rest to buy an Edge On Up sharpness tester. Well worth it if you want to improve your technique.

You can see the small 1x30 comparison chart I made here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1glz-0cjTNfeF94c2_zEj1j-nZAj_1RyaWNjnaMYumvw/edit

 

[tommytman]

Can anyone comment on differences with the rikon and grizzly variable speed models? They look identical. And can the protective shroud on the disk be removed? It seems to get in the way on large knives when sharpening.

 

[oceanrider]

I have the worksharp and the Rikon VS. the Rikon is a step up from the Worksharp. I doubt there is much difference between the Rikon and the Grizzly. The main difference in the spec sheets is the Rikon claims to be 1/4hp more powerful, but most motor ratings these days seem to be all over the place.

I haven’t used the Kalamazoo, but it is the next step up above the Rikon and Grizzly - especially with the Kally Rest.

I chose the Rikon for a few reasons. the smaller frame, ease of mounting it to a box for horizontal operation and a strong recommendation from Cliff Curry. I used the money I would have spent on a Kalamazoo and Kally rest to buy an Edge On Up sharpness tester. Well worth it if you want to improve your technique.

You can see the small 1x30 comparison chart I made here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1glz-0cjTNfeF94c2_zEj1j-nZAj_1RyaWNjnaMYumvw/edit

Thanks case peanut, I missed the hp rating. I’d bet that the two machines are made in the same factory. The only difference I see from the pictures is the Rikon appears to have a larger designed miter gauge. And the end caps on the motors are slightly different molding.

 

[oceanrider]

Can anyone comment on differences with the rikon and grizzly variable speed models? They look identical. And can the protective shroud on the disk be removed? It seems to get in the way on large knives when sharpening.

Yes watch the curry videos, some of which I posted above, the shroud does come off.

 

[CasePeanut]

Yeah. I took all the stuff off mine. I left the disc sander on, but haven’t used it yet. As long as you take the disc sander table off it won’t get in the way.

 

[oceanrider]

Thanks case peanut, I missed the hp rating. I’d bet that the two machines are made in the same factory. The only difference I see from the pictures is the Rikon appears to have a larger designed miter gauge. And the end caps on the motors are slightly different molding.

The forum here won’t allow me to edit, give me a warning. I looked again at large pics of both on Amazon. And I was wrong on the motor end caps, they both look the same.

So it really comes down to which one might actually be better quality if at all.

 

[CasePeanut]

The forum here won’t allow me to edit, give me a warning. I looked again at large pics of both on Amazon. And I was wrong on the motor end caps, they both look the same.

So it really comes down to which one might actually be better quality if at all.

I bet they are pretty identical. Grizzly has a great reputation but I was able to get the Rikon with free shipping which added a lot of cost to the grizzly. I don’t think you can go wrong either way.

 

[bgentry]

But the only angle guide rest I have seen for this sander is the Kally Rest, but from videos I've watched I am inclined to shy away from this rest because it looks like it would limit a free flow control, where you have to switch hands and basically stop your flow to sand the whole edge as seen in this video here:

.
I don't like that this Kally Rest hides the edge when sharpening.

My technique is slow and not all that skilled. I think I made that video within about 2 weeks of getting the KallyRest. I would think any rest where you sharpen edge trailing, with the belt vertical, would have similar mechanics. Edge leading is a different story though. With edge trailing you put the blade into a gap between the rest and the belt. With edge leading, it's "upside down" so there's no gap: Just an open space with a rest. This might lead to a more "flowing" motion.

You might get the idea from that video that you can't see the blade in the gap at all. But you can. I just didn't have the camera close enough to my eyes to show what you actually see. here's an excerpt from my KallyRest installation video that shows a view that's very close to what you see when you use the KallyRest. Jump to 10:58 in the video to see the relevant part.

You can see the blade contact point fairly clearly in actual use.

You might still want an "upside down" (edge leading) rest. Just trying to give you some extra information. Mark, the inventor of the KR, specifically likes edge trailing sharpening and doesn't like edge leading (with a belt sander). That's too bad in some ways because an "upside down" KallyRest might be really neat.

Good luck on your decision.

Brian.

 

[oceanrider]

My technique is slow and not all that skilled. I think I made that video within about 2 weeks of getting the KallyRest. I would think any rest where you sharpen edge trailing, with the belt vertical, would have similar mechanics. Edge leading is a different story though. With edge trailing you put the blade into a gap between the rest and the belt. With edge leading, it's "upside down" so there's no gap: Just an open space with a rest. This might lead to a more "flowing" motion.

You might get the idea from that video that you can't see the blade in the gap at all. But you can. I just didn't have the camera close enough to my eyes to show what you actually see. here's an excerpt from my KallyRest installation video that shows a view that's very close to what you see when you use the KallyRest. Jump to 10:58 in the video to see the relevant part.

You can see the blade contact point fairly clearly in actual use.

You might still want an "upside down" (edge leading) rest. Just trying to give you some extra information. Mark, the inventor of the KR, specifically likes edge trailing sharpening and doesn't like edge leading (with a belt sander). That's too bad in some ways because an "upside down" KallyRest might be really neat.

Good luck on your decision.

Brian.

Thanks Brian,

I'm not sure of the single phase motor on the Kalamazoo, but some single phase induction motors can easily be reversed and are often marked as such on the sticker so you could take a Kalamazoo and reverse the direction to make it edge-trailing and use it like cliff does but being edge-trailing. Would you mind taking a picture of the sticker and specs on the Kalamazoo motor?

Edit: I called Kalamazoo today 8/17/20 and they told me, No, the motor cannot be reversed, that it won't track well if it is.

Regarding edge leading. Here is a bunch of work with belt sanders where most all the work is done with the belt coming toward you. Starts about the 19 minute mark.

 

[Mark Bouquet]

I’m just passing through, and I noticed oceanrider’s comment about contacting Kalamazoo to ask if the 1x42 can be reversed. I have to disagree with their response. There’s a label right on the capacitor cover giving instructions for reversing the motor. So that’s not an issue.

Regarding tracking, I can say from personal experience that’s not an issue either. The tracking is very slightly different as I change directions, and if I feel like it I can adjust that in about 2 seconds, but it isn’t absolutely necessary.

And how do I change directions? I added a reversing switch to the machine. (Dayton Model 2X440A, sourced from Grainger.) I had a motor service shop do the wiring, though I probably could have done it myself, and don’t doubt that you could too.

This adaptation made my machines so much more useful, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to others possessing this machine.

Regards,
Mark B

 

[CasePeanut]

I’m just passing through, and I noticed oceanrider’s comment about contacting Kalamazoo to ask if the 1x42 can be reversed. I have to disagree with their response. There’s a label right on the capacitor cover giving instructions for reversing the motor. So that’s not an issue.

Regarding tracking, I can say from personal experience that’s not an issue either. The tracking is very slightly different as I change directions, and if I feel like it I can adjust that in about 2 seconds, but it isn’t absolutely necessary.

And how do I change directions? I added a reversing switch to the machine. (Dayton Model 2X440A, sourced from Grainger.) I had a motor service shop do the wiring, though I probably could have done it myself, and don’t doubt that you could too.

This adaptation made my machines so much more useful, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to others possessing this machine.

Regards,
Mark B

That’s great to hear. Can you please post a pic of your setup?

 

[Mark Bouquet]

That’s great to hear. Can you please post a pic of your setup?

I’m new to this site. I wanted to include pictures with my post, but found that this forum requires that I provide a link from a picture hosting site. I have no such account. Just look up the Dayton switch that I mentioned and you’ll have 95% of everything you need to know. Sorry I can’t do more for you.

 

[CasePeanut]

I’m new to this site. I wanted to include pictures with my post, but found that this forum requires that I provide a link from a picture hosting site. I have no such account. Just look up the Dayton switch that I mentioned and you’ll have 95% of everything you need to know. Sorry I can’t do more for you.

Ok thanks!