First I would like to apologize if this is a repeat question. I tried to search bar to find what I was looking for but I was not successful. If it has been addressed already could you please just pop the link that would be great. I know the KMG style belt grinders seem to be the best for grinding your bevels. Other than hand filing what is a great low cost alternative to the more expensive grinders/sanders? Will the 1x30" belt sanders do the job well enough for a beginner? You can get those guys anywhere for less than $200 and thats a very attractive price for me and my situation.
Tons of threads on grinders around here. Take a couple of hours and flip through the thread topics. I'll be picking up a 1x30 from whoever goes on sale when I'm ready to pull the trigger (some time after I pick order the regulator/rectifier for my sport bike) https://www.kmstools.com/king-canada-belt-disc-sander-18925 http://www.busybeetools.com/products/sander-1in-x30in-belt-and-5in-disc-csa.html http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/combination-belt-and-disc-sander/A-p8532293e All the funky belts like Norton Blaze, 3M Trizact & Gator Grit might be tough to find, but they are out there.
The 1x30 sanders will be alright to start with, however buying belts can get expensive. Generally speaking, in good quality bets, a 1x30 belt, at 30 square inches, costs about half of what a 2x72 belt at 144 square inches. This means you will typically spend at least double on belts. This is because less surface area means less life span on the belt, as well as higher heat produced which can also be harder on belts. Depending on budget, you can probably pick up something in the 1x42, 2x42, or 2x48 size range for a similar price, or just a bit more. These machines would be like the Craftsman or Kalamazoo units. They are a lot more machine and can often be found for not a lot more money. With all that said i started with a little 1x30, for my first 8 or 10 knives and managed. Does it compare to my 2hp variable speed 2x72? Not even close. But it was inexpensive and got my foot in the door to get going.
Lee Valley has a 1x42 belt sander, that's what I currently have. http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=44884&cat=1,43072
I think if we used tags more often then some topics would be easier to nail down since the title can be a little off topic by the end or cover multiple subjects.
I was looking hard at one of these too, but I'm limited to 110, and most of the motors I've found are around the $100, effectively doubling the price. It's also a little big and clunky for me, and my setup HAS to be portable and light enough to pack up and down 3 flights of stairs.
I have a 1\3 hp motor off an old piston pump runs off 110 and you can find them for a decent price if you watch Kijiji. Preferably something bigger would be better . Mine doesn't have a lot of power, I can easily stall it out with to much pressure. But if you use good belts and not in a rush, you can put a bevels on your steel. I do plan on building a 2x72 someday tho.
I have the princess auto 2x28 combo and it's fairly alright, belts can be obtained at busy bee tools for $2.50 each. 40, 60, 80, 120, 220 grits. Maybe limiting but not bad
It still doesn't solve the portability problem I have. And I dunno where you're looking on kijiji, but where I'm looking, there's jack squat that small.
Well I'm not sure where you are @Grizz Axxemann but there are a few in Nova Scotia on Kijiji. As far as portability, mine isnt that heavy. Perhaps a two wheel dolly would be worth looking into. Anyway all the best in your search.
http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/combination-2-in-belt-sander-and-6-in-grinder/A-p8532285e Check that one out, $140 brand new, it's the one I have, it's maybe 1lb heaver then a dual wheel bench grinder. Belts are $2.50+ at busy bee.
http://www.busybeetools.com/products/grinder-and-sander-combo-csa-1.html Heres the busy bee model and should have their selection of belts for it as well
Edmonton. I've found tons of 2hp and bigger motors, but they're all 220v. Dollies and stairs don't get along. I have three flights of stairs to contend with and no elevator. If I had an elevator in my building, a lot of my problems wouldn't be problems anymore. I don't have a balcony either, so that's out. It's a craptastic apartment, but the rent is cheap, despite the fact that I haven't been able to grill a steak in years. The one nice thing about the 2x28 combo grinder is that it lends itself much easier to being converted to a 2x72.
1 x 30's can be a great place to start, but if you get a chance to go bigger at some point it makes a big difference. Plus the nice thing about building a 2 x 72 is that you get a chance to make all sorts of attachments for hollow grinding and such.
Just an FYI the King Canada 1x30 combo is on sale for $99 at KMS right now. Link is already posted ^. Pretty sure it is just another rebrand of the same chinese model Princess Auto sells under the almost racist/sexual Power Fist moniker. I am ordering one to get me by till I get my ducks in a row for a 2x72. Only made a couple knives so far but angle grinder and files just arent netting me the results I want
I know it's an older thread, but has anyone used www.onlinesupply.ca for 1x30 belts? Now that it's starting to warm up a bit, I am going g to finally built myself a little outdoor workbench, and get a few finer grit belts. These guys seem to carry the ceramic belts in the 1x30s, so I was curious if anyone has ordered from them in the past?
Not really answering your question but Shadnuke ...as I have not ordered from them before....but Lee Valley seems to have a larger selection of 1x30 including the 3m trizact belts and leather stropping belt if yer into that sorta thing.
Dowe side for me is that the closest Lee Valley is 3+ hours away. I also usually find them a bit on the expensive side. I am however in the market for a specific whittling knife they carry, so I will take a look when I head into Caglary next time!!!
