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belt grinder

I am a new knife maker and I am in need of finding a belt grinder which is best for making knives. Thanks

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KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by CaptJeff Saylor on February 10, 2010 at 22:47

do you currently own any belt grinders?

what kind of work are you planning on doing with the belt grinder?

what kind of knives are you looking to make?

do you have a price range?

i am sure you know there are many different grinders out there. depending on who you are talking to, you can get a lot of opinions. i own 2 different grinders, both are used for different purposes, and one i just got last weekend. both were bought at different places, and both have a different price. once you determine what you plan on using it for, you can determine what kind you need.

i dont know everything, but i might be able to help.

Captain Jeff Saylor, CJS Knives

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Permalink Reply by John Lovell on February 11, 2010 at 16:46

Hi, Vic -

I am a hobbyist fixed blade knife maker. I have made a few dozen knives and get by on two belt grinders. One is a 6"x36" belt (used exclusively in the horizontal position) with a 10" disk and the other is a little Delta 1" belt with a 5 or 6" disk. You can buy both at Harbour Freight for less than $ 100 each. I find I can do all I need with those two machines (plus a buffer that I converted from a 2-wheel bench grinder, and a drill press). I would like to have a 2" Wilton or Bador, but I am not willing to invest $1500 to $2500 in a grinder, since this is just a hobby. If you decide to go the "professional" route and buy the big boy toys you can alway use the two I suggested for tasks other than blade grinding.

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KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by CaptJeff Saylor on February 14, 2010 at 23:35

hey Victor, how is your search going ? i am suprised to see you didnt get more responses to your discussion.
here are the 2 sanders that i use. they come on very handy, and i use them both for different purposes. the 1x30 belt sander was my first one, and i would suggest that you start with that one as well.

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Permalink Reply by John Lovell on February 15, 2010 at 11:05

Vic -

Jeff is showing in pictures the same (essentially) two belt sanders/grinders I described.

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Permalink Reply by Victor B. Brewer on February 15, 2010 at 16:58

Thanks Jeff

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Permalink Reply by J. R. Reeves on February 21, 2010 at 16:11

Victor, there are several good grinders available. I personally use a KMG with a 2 1/2 hp variable speed motor. I have several attachments; flat platten. rotary platten, 4,6,and 8 inch wheels, 1/2, 3/4 and 1 inch wheels. I can do just about any grinding job with these. Bader also makes a good grinder. You can get information on the KMG from Beaumont metal works web site. I hope this helps J. R.

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KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by CaptJeff Saylor on February 21, 2010 at 16:26

these are the professional grinders that cost a fortune arent they?

i do just fine with my cheap Menards brand grinders!

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Permalink Reply by Patrick Burns on February 21, 2010 at 20:27

Hi Victor,

I agree with J.R. about the KMG from Beaumont or try USA Knifemakers. Tracy sells a NWG(no weld grinder) that you put together and add a motor. I started with a Grizzly grinder but found it and other small inexpensive grinders shaky and that lead to poor grinds. If you're going to do this regularly go for a good one right off the bat. In knife making as with any thing else you get what you pay for.
I only have the flat platen and a 5/8" wheel for my KMG, but i have a 3" wheel on my Multi-tool grinder. The Multi-tool attachment is way too fast to grind blades, for roughing only.