If you plan to do any quality grinding you need to look at "solid" in grinders - solid bearings, arbors, frames, pulleys, motor mounts, etc. Vibration and motor torque are the two biggest issues with precision grinding with belt quality being close second. It's either that or learn to drink a lot of coffee so you can match the machine's jerkyness.

To me HB tools are like "burner phones" you see in all the cop shows. Use it and toss it....just don't hold up to professional demands. Don't get me wrong, not saying anything most of us don't already know. Our granddaddy's wisdom on buy the best you can afford doesn't mean buying the most expensive either. Just use your best judgement.

Of course we know you're right Carl :-) It does go without saying.

In my case, having moved from another continent with 2 suitcases per family member 18 years ago and never having replaced all my tools, just now getting into knives with kits or simple ready made blanks and who knows if one day I might be forging - I'm starting with the lower cost let's see how this works out approach. Cheap though it is, so far I'm reasonably happy with my little Harbor Freight sander, at least for my purposes. But when I came to researching table / band saws, routers and others - I quickly turned away to look at other brands.

Agreed Carl, plus i do usually have 3 cups of coffee before sanding Good to know it helps. lol. I did a google search for 1x30 belt sanders and I could not find a high end or even beter quality one. The grizzly which looks just like the Harbor Frieght is at the higher end in assumed quality. I did find cheaper. I guess if you want netter quality you habe to jump up to a larger sander/grinder. 

I think for most of us this one is fine because we are not doing the final presision work on it. But I agree with grandpa, and my dad, buy the best you can afford it will last longer and work better.