Belt Sander/Grinder

[arthurfowler]

Dear all

i am interested in buying a belt sander/grinder for home use. It will only have occasional use, with the main uses being for thinning friends Global Knives and possibly scotch brite belts for cleaning up scratches etc.

I'm never going to be knife maker so I don’t need something that is suitable for high volume but happy to pay sensible money for something that is suitable to get the job done well. I am based in the UK.

Any help or advice on recommended spec’s or specific machines or general information would be much appreciated.

Best

Gareth

 

[Legion74]

I have a Shopmate 48. I'm not sure how available they might be in the UK, but they are very popular in Australia, and are really good. If you can find a retailer selling them in your country, check it out.

Whatever brand you get, I would strongly suggest getting a unit with variable speed. It makes it much more versatile.

https://www.artisansupplies.com.au/product/shopmate-48-variable-speed-1-5hp/

 

[Bensbites]

What's your budget? Could be a cheap 1x30 or a 3x79.

 

[brimmergj]

Rikon or harbor freight 1x30s are pretty cheap

I ordered one of these back in November (backordered until mid-February) so I can't say how it is, but quite cost effective.

https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-2-x-42-knife-making-belt-sander-grinder/t32459

 

[arthurfowler]

What's your budget? Could be a cheap 1x30 or a 3x79.

I was thinking £300 to £400.

 

[arthurfowler]

Rikon or harbor freight 1x30s are pretty cheap

I ordered one of these back in November (backordered until mid-February) so I can't say how it is, but quite cost effective.

https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-2-x-42-knife-making-belt-sander-grinder/t32459

Thanks, this looks great and at the right price point. I will look in to this some more.

 

[arthurfowler]

I have a Shopmate 48. I'm not sure how available they might be in the UK, but they are very popular in Australia, and are really good. If you can find a retailer selling them in your country, check it out.

Whatever brand you get, I would strongly suggest getting a unit with variable speed. It makes it much more versatile.

https://www.artisansupplies.com.au/product/shopmate-48-variable-speed-1-5hp/

Thanks, this is really helpful.

 

[Mr Kooby Shemayrew]

I picked up the 3”x18” Eastvolt sander off of Amazon. These run about $60 USD. These are designed to be flipped over and bolted down to a table. The biggest problem is they are loud and get hot. Seriously need to use earplugs when using this…. But for the money, they get the job done. Fortunately I rarely have to use it. I have belts from 50 grit up to 1000 grit. Good tool and maybe I’ll get a quieter one someday.

 

[Chasingsharpness]

Also looking for a belt grinder in the UK around that price. Following with interest.

 

[arthurfowler]

I picked up the 3”x18” Eastvolt sander off of Amazon. These run about $60 USD. These are designed to be flipped over and bolted down to a table. The biggest problem is they are loud and get hot. Seriously need to use earplugs when using this…. But for the money, they get the job done. Fortunately I rarely have to use it. I have belts from 50 grit up to 1000 grit. Good tool and maybe I’ll get a quieter one someday.

Thanks, I hadn’t really considered noise. As it will be in the garage which is part of the house with a bedroom above then this is an important consideration.

 

[curreel]

I'm based in Ireland; any recommendations for a belt sander (up to about 300 euro) from a EU based provider? UK providers are problematic for us post-Brexit.

Thanks in advance

 

[William Hunt]

1x42 Kalamazoo should do what you want to do.

 

[curreel]

Many thanks for that, William.

 

[mike59]

1x42 Kalamazoo should do what you want to do.

Another vote / happy owner of Kalamzoo 1x42. I have the variable belt position version that can adjust belt from vertical to horizontal and anywhere in between. You'll also want to look for the "knife makers platen" most likely. Scotch Brite pads are awesome!!! Also recommend trizact and cubitron belts. Run cooler and longer. My use is not thinning, some fixing of big chips, broken tips, reshaping, choil reduction, and some sharpening of cheap/crappy knives but mostly hand sharpen knives.

Re other thoughts mentioned ... variable speed would be nice so you can run slower - not an option with Kalamzoo 1x42 but it runs slower than most. Not just RPMs to be concerned with - it's the belt speed that you care about and that changes with a number of factors.

Lots of youtube stuff re 1x30s out there ... mostly harbor freight but some Rikon and Grizzly as well.

Folks at Kalamzoo are great to talk to so don't hesitate to reach out to them if you have any questions.

 

[curreel]

Another vote / happy owner of Kalamzoo 1x42. I have the variable belt position version that can adjust belt from vertical to horizontal and anywhere in between. You'll also want to look for the "knife makers platen" most likely. Scotch Brite pads are awesome!!! Also recommend trizact and cubitron belts. Run cooler and longer. My use is not thinning, some fixing of big chips, broken tips, reshaping, choil reduction, and some sharpening of cheap/crappy knives but mostly hand sharpen knives.

Re other thoughts mentioned ... variable speed would be nice so you can run slower - not an option with Kalamzoo 1x42 but it runs slower than most. Not just RPMs to be concerned with - it's the belt speed that you care about and that changes with a number of factors.

Lots of youtube stuff re 1x30s out there ... mostly harbor freight but some Rikon and Grizzly as well.

Folks at Kalamzoo are great to talk to so don't hesitate to reach out to them if you have any questions.

Much appreciated, Mike.

 

[Luminaire]

I bought a chinese no brand variable speed 2x36 (weird size but great price) 1.5hp on ebay and love it. The belt size is a bit annoying to find sometimes, but it's not really a big deal as I can usually find belts in 4x36 and split them

 

[arthurfowler]

Another vote / happy owner of Kalamzoo 1x42. I have the variable belt position version that can adjust belt from vertical to horizontal and anywhere in between. You'll also want to look for the "knife makers platen" most likely. Scotch Brite pads are awesome!!! Also recommend trizact and cubitron belts. Run cooler and longer. My use is not thinning, some fixing of big chips, broken tips, reshaping, choil reduction, and some sharpening of cheap/crappy knives but mostly hand sharpen knives.

Re other thoughts mentioned ... variable speed would be nice so you can run slower - not an option with Kalamzoo 1x42 but it runs slower than most. Not just RPMs to be concerned with - it's the belt speed that you care about and that changes with a number of factors.

Lots of youtube stuff re 1x30s out there ... mostly harbor freight but some Rikon and Grizzly as well.

Folks at Kalamzoo are great to talk to so don't hesitate to reach out to them if you have any questions.

This is really helpful.

 

[arthurfowler]

I bought a chinese no brand variable speed 2x36 (weird size but great price) 1.5hp on ebay and love it. The belt size is a bit annoying to find sometimes, but it's not really a big deal as I can usually find belts in 4x36 and split them

Many thanks