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I need a different belt sander (a 4" works...sort of....) and I don't have a bench grinder at all. Poking around the Northern Tool website, I found this one. By the reviews it appears you need to make sure the belt is running true but that was the only major, consistent complaint I found.
Has anyone used this? I'll be working on scales to begin with but would like to eventually move into blademaking using the stock removal method since a forge is a no-go for the foreseeable future. Not to mention the funds and space are equally limited.
There's a NT close to the house so it wouldn't be a blind internet purchase.
Thanks!
If these walls could talk, I'd listen to the floor.
Most grinders run 3650 rpm but that is way to fast for a belt sander IMHO. I agree. get a grinder and get a sander. Don`t get a combo. I have two of each. My 6"x48" belt sander with a 12" disc sander on the side is great for many things like recoil p[ads. The grinder needs to be mounted higher for comfort and safety than the belt sander.
"We are not impressed" Stalls easy. You have to push it to help it start. Doesn't want to start when it is cold. Take a serious look at the reviews and not the number of stars. Bench grinders have a short life if you drag the RPMs down while working it, this is much more true with cheap ones and you can't do good work with a grinder/sander that vibrates.
I've had the old washer made grinder since the '60's . Have always needed to roll the stone to get it started , plus if I hold too much pressure the wheel will stop . But the old girl still is as good as always. Just can't get in a hurry , and it does all I need it for. Even sharpens my tractor blades.
This was just the first one that popped up when I got the urge to look for something. I'm not a huge fan of combo units but I figured it was at least worth asking about.
pokey: the Grizzly 1"x30" came up on another forum. The Grizzly unit looks suspiciously identical to the HF unit but is another $20. I have a HF on the way home from work, I don't have that option with Grizzly. Hmmm, need to ponder this one...
I already have a Ryobi 4" belt sander/6" or 8" disc sander combo. The 4" is too wide for some applications so I need something smaller.
AFA the washing machine motor grinder, I've given that serious thought. Wayne Goddard's $50 Knife Shop shows the one he's used for years (The Good News Grinder), I just need to figure out how to set it up for direct power. I'm up to my shins in washing machine motors at work as it is....
If these walls could talk, I'd listen to the floor.
What are you going to use it for, home use, knife making, general shop work? I have currently 6 different grinders and a surface grinder and each has a different purpose. i can't comment on the specific brand but a friend has a Grizzly like that that he uses for working knife guards and he likes it. For general shop use I would want a grinder with a medium wheel and a wire wheel first. 3450 is becoming the standard speed for a lot of grinders and polishing wheels, I prefer the old 1750's as they aren't quite so grabby when polishing but either one is a whole lot better than a wire brush and sandpaper. Well, let me take part of that back as I have seen some folks who's best efforts at knife throwing started with a grinder. You will need to either surface grind or glue on a new platten for quality work as I have yet to see a cheap factory sander/grinder with a really flat platten.
KCSO, as far as the belt sander it would be used for primarily shaping knife scales and polishing duties. The grinder would be for blade shaping and as another polishing option with a polishing wheel.
Right now I'm seriously thinking about that HF/Grizzly 1"x30" sander and a separate grinder.
If these walls could talk, I'd listen to the floor.
That's what I would do. My friends who studied with bill Moran uses a makita 4" to rough out his blades and then draw files them before tempering. he claims he gets a nicer line by draw filing.
I agree with others about dual use tools. There is always a conflict in purpose and something loses out. Jet make a nifty 8" 1hp grinder. I keep a medium wheel on one side and a medium or fine wire wheel on the other. It is a heavy duty machine that will last a lifetime and it is low in cost.
If you want a belt grinder/polisher then go with the Burr King or Square Wheel. These are professional units and quite pricey but they are what the pros mostly use.
