Belt grinder for the rookie knife maker?

[Steve Nuckels]

Which belt grinder do you recommend for the new knife builder without breaking the bank?

Badger, Burr-King, square wheele or grizzly?  Or another?

Thanks in advance

[ArcticArcher]

I've been using the 1"x30" grizzly and have been pretty happy with it. gonna move up to the 2"x72" grizzly in the next week or so, do my part to stimulate the economy LOL

will keep the old one, but go thru a lot of belts

[Leftieshot]

I use a Delta 1x42 and I like it pretty well.  With a little practice you may be suprised what you can do with this small belt machine.

[Jeremy]

I've been using a 1x30 grizzly, though recent bought a 2x42 craftsman.  Not as nice as the real knife grinders, but they do work well.

[Ray Hammond]

Guys, I've got a Grizzly just a couple months ago.

There is nothing wrong with it, except its very nearly impossible to do anything small, like finger grooves with this grinder.

In a few months I am going to put the Grizz up for sale and get either a Wilton, KMG, or Bader.

[LeeNY]

Check on the Grizzly website in their outlet section. They've got their 1 x 42 w/8" disc sander on sale.

[LC]

I've got a Grizzly 2 x 72 and it works for me. Sure I wish I had a better one though. I made a 1 x 42 for detaling and I hope to have pics up soon. But if you got a xtra couple grand laying around buy a bader, KMG  or Burr king!

[Kevin Evans]

You can buy the basic model KMG and add your own motor reasonably did and got grinder and made most of my own attachments with the grinder.If I had see one first would have just made the complete thing.

[kbaknife]

Here are some plans for the "Build your own 2 X 72 grinder":
 http://www.usaknifemaker.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=59&products_id=723&zenid=4c69d32e914c55e82c8e5f2ac722c03c

[imskippy]

KBA, HAve you used these plans? How much does it cost all materials included. I've seen these plans and am a little skeptical since the final cost is unknown. Thanks Skippy

[kbaknife]

No, I have a Bader BIII. But do frequent a nunmber of knife forums and there are a BUNCH of guys who have used these plans to build their own. I have heard a lot of good comments.
I believe the big expense will be the motor and the wheels/bearings/platen.
I do know it'll be far less than buying the factory grinders.