Knife grinder?

[imskippy]

I have started my first knife today and would like to know. I stopped at lowes today to price out belt sanders and grindrs. They have a wet/dry sharpening wheel its a 150 grit stone, is this thing worth a darn or should I just invest in the belt sander and/or grinder witha stone and buffing wheel? Thanks Jason

[Lin Rhea]

Jason,
         This is my opinion only.  

      I would buy a belt grinder of some sort. The closer to 2 X 72, the better. I have made a few blades on a 1 X 30, but it uses more belts, of course, to get a knife made. Some of the Craftsman wide belt sanders work OK too.

   I know guys who have a Grizzley Knifemaker's Grinder and do OK.

  After using a KMG I'm spoiled.

                                     Lin

[robtattoo]

I use one of these little 1" belt sanders & honestly, it's awful! You'll get by using something like this & for the hobby maker they're a good, cheap way of getting started, but their use is very limited....

 

If you can stretch the funds, like Lin says, try & get a good quality sander that'll take 2"x72" belts & has a good accurate platen.

[imskippy]

Any suggestions? I saw plans on **** to build one that looks similar to the kmg. wonder how much the supplies would cost. motor,pulleys belts?

[Bill Kissner]

Grizzly makes a decent knife grinder for $395 which is way cheaper than others. It uses the 2X72 inch belts. I bought one last year and think it is great for a beginner. Most pro's use grinders costing $1800 to more than $3000.

[LC]

Lin  and everyone else is giving you some great advice. For top of the line expect to spend $1800 and up. Next down is probably the Grizzly 2"x72" for about $375 and then Craftsman 2"x42" for about $150 and then down to the Delta, Harbor Frieght line of  1"x42" from $69 to $130. And then there is always the old fashioned files for about $15 dollars that do just fine! It's like most things in life how much are you willing to spend.  The biggest advantage with power tools is that you can ruin good steel alot quicker with them.

Wayne Goodard has a great book out the $50 Dollar Knife Book. It has great pics of how to build your own belt sander and various other equip. Great book. I built my first 2"x 72" sander from this book but it wasn't long till I moved on after making several knives with it.

[imskippy]

Yes I do have a set of files I plan on using for my first 2 blanks that I cut today. I am just thinking ahead but I guess for now I'll see how I make out on these 2 before I decide to move on to bigger and better tools. I appreciate the info guys. Thanks Jason. I will post a thread soon with pics of my progress.

[imskippy]

Would a 4" x 36" belt with a disk on the side be worth looking into? I have been wanting the one from harbor freight for $69 for many things would something like this work?

[tomh]

Anything that will grind will work. It just depends how many belts you are willing to burn up, and how many knives you are planning on building. The shorter the belt the faster it will wear out. Hogging off metal is hard work and will eat the belts.

Depending what you want to do and what your budget is, there is a machine for you. Everyone has made some good suggestions. Good luck, and have fun!

[OconeeDan]

That 4x36 is far from the ultimate blade grinder, but you'll find it is a most useful tool that you will use a lot, especially when making sure handle slabs are flat and general shaping of the handles.  I have one and I use mine a lot.  Dan

[Jeremy]

With the exception of my first couple knives, every knife I've made has been on a 1x30 belt grinder from Grizzly.  You may go through more belts, but the belts are cheaper     If you anneal your steel you'll go through significantly fewer belts.

I did recently get a 2x42 Craftsman and roughed out a blade or two on it.  It works well, but I don't like the higher belt speed.  If I ever get time to get back into the shop I'll play around with it more.

[Lin Rhea]

Skippy,
         Here is one I saw in the Texas Knifemakers Supply Catalog. I think this grinder is a better use of the money than some of the above mentioned ones. Except for the KMG's and Bader's, of course. But this one would be a welcome addition to any shop. It's less than $500 too.
                              Lin
  Grinder

[catfishon]

i use a 4x36 belt sander. works great for shaping and geting a bevel started. and belts are readely avalible almost anywhere. but it would be hard to put the finish edge on a blade with it. i would say i use the 4x36 sander to do 75% of the the work when i make a knife ,"blade and handle work".  i would get the 4 x36 and then get something else to do what ever you can't get done with the 4x36.

[Leftieshot]

WOW, I make mine differently.  I shape with a belt sander, either 6x48(at work) or 4x36(at home).  But my bevels are done free hand with a 90 degree die grinder and file work to blend.  I guess there isn't a wrong way to shape and make a knife.  I mean the first ones weren't even steel!