Author Topic: Decent knife grinder for part timer (Read 1512 times)

Straitshot · « **on:** June 25, 2008, 08:14:00 PM »

Other than having to spend the big bucks for a knife grinding machine, BurrKing, Bader, Wilton, etc. Who makes a decent inexpensive machine for a part timer who likes to make an occasional knife or redo old knives that are past their prime or the occasional knife kit?

Thanks, Louis

KHALVERSON · « **Reply #1 on:** June 25, 2008, 08:24:00 PM »

louis
i use a delta 1x42 with a 9 in disc on the side
its pretty slow i wish i would have bought the wilton 2x42 i know some guys use 4x48 like the craftsmans i have been hoping to find something a little better and benn checkin the local garage sales lookin for a deal

Wampus · « **Reply #2 on:** June 25, 2008, 08:27:00 PM »

A longer belt like a 2x72 will last longer and run cooler but a lot of people do OK with a 2x42 like this one from Sears. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00921513000P

This Grizzly 2x72 is a lot cheaper than the big name grinders but it's not as versatile. http://grizzly.com/products/Knife-Belt-Sander-Buffer/G1015

Jeremy · « **Reply #3 on:** June 26, 2008, 07:58:00 AM »

I used a Grizzly 1x30" for a few years with good results. It's dirt cheap and the belts are too.

I recently upgraded to a Craftsman 2x42. My one big complaint with it is I wish I could slow the belt down some. I'll probably end up removing the belt assembly and run it off the motor with a belt so I can control the speed.

theunluckyhunter · « **Reply #4 on:** June 26, 2008, 12:01:00 PM »

im poor so i just use my bench grinder lol, surprisingly it works really well with a 8 inch medium grit stone and then i have a grinding plate on the side of it. between it, a drill press, and a hand grinder/dremel i can do about everything i need to at the moment. but i will admit a platen would be nice

dave hiltz · « **Reply #5 on:** June 26, 2008, 05:58:00 PM »

I have the sears 2x42 and I just dunk the blade in water now and then and it keeps things cool.

tippit · « **Reply #6 on:** June 27, 2008, 06:49:00 AM »

I used the Sears 2X42 for a couple of years before going with a KMG. It worked very satisfactorily...tippit

Caveman IL · « **Reply #7 on:** July 01, 2008, 04:10:00 AM »

So what do you think if it's between the Sears 2 x 42 and the Grizzly 1 x 30? Which one would you go with? (I don't make a lot of knives, maybe 10-20/year).

Jeremy · « **Reply #8 on:** July 01, 2008, 08:10:00 AM »

The Sears 2x42. One thing you'll want to do to modify it though is to either regrind the edges of the platen so that they aren't wider than the belt. Or even better get a 2" wide ceramic platen and use JB Weld to attach it - that's what I'm gonna do anyway

Caveman IL · « **Reply #9 on:** July 01, 2008, 08:48:00 AM »

Thanks, Jeremy!

Straitshot · « **Reply #10 on:** July 01, 2008, 01:23:00 PM »

I have been looking at a Wilton 2X42 with a 8" disc but it is quite a bit more expensive than a Sears ( $130 vs. $390 ). Has any one had any experience with the Wilton and is it $250 better than the Sears? Are the belts readily available? How does a 42" compare to a 72" like on the Grizzly?

Thanks, Louis

Wampus · « **Reply #11 on:** July 01, 2008, 06:00:00 PM »

Tru Grit has 2x42 belts in just about any grit you would want but there is more variety of brands and styles in 2x72. The longer belts aren't much more expensive but you get almost twice the amount of abrasive belt, but the big advantage is that it takes twice as long for the same spot to come around again so it has more time to cool off and you're not as likely to heat up the belt and haze over the sharp points of the abrasive. Very light pressure on just the tips of the abrasive particles with a high belt speed is what will overheat them. Using a firm pressure will make your belts last longer and also you can keep a spray bottle of water nearby to keep things cool. If your belt seems kind of worn out on the flat platen, you can still use it on the wheel for a while because the curve of the wheel opens up the abrasive particles for more of a bite.

Caveman IL · « **Reply #12 on:** July 01, 2008, 06:07:00 PM »

My son has a Grizzly and really likes it. He had to tweak it a little--spacers. He has a buffer on the other side. I'm just too damned cheap to shell out that much. I'm probably going to go w/ the Sears and drool over my sons when I visit him, (MInneapolis) Hey, Straitshot-- my twin sister just moved from San Antonio (to Williamsburg, Va) Larry

skullworks · « **Reply #13 on:** July 02, 2008, 09:12:00 AM »

Just picked up a used Sears 2x42 for $50...looks to be in good shape! Hope it will be better than my 4x36! Thanks to everyone for the info!

madness522 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 03, 2008, 04:50:00 PM »

Does anyone use the Delta 1x42? What do you think of it?

KHALVERSON · « **Reply #15 on:** July 03, 2008, 05:53:00 PM »

madness552
i use a delta 1x42 with the 9 in disc
the disc is alright but the belt side is underpowered (imho) i have to go real slow or the motor bogs down and sometimes the belt slips
like i said above i wish i would have bought the 2x42 and may yet do so

madness522 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 04, 2008, 11:02:00 AM »

Thanks Kevin thats the kind of info I was looking for. Craftsman Club hopefully will put the 2x42 on sale soon.

LeeNY · « **Reply #17 on:** July 04, 2008, 02:50:00 PM »

Jeremy, would Corian work for the platen? Corians that composit counter top material.

Jeremy · « **Reply #18 on:** July 04, 2008, 07:43:00 PM »

Lee, I don't think so. The Corian specs from Dupont say it's sound up to 212 degrees F. It'd be worth testing if you have some scraps though.

LeeNY · « **Reply #19 on:** July 06, 2008, 07:12:00 PM »

Duh, I forgot about the melt temp of Corian!

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