grinder?

[wattsy]

i'm looking at getting a grinder for some knife making and i was wondering if you could use a belt sander (a fixed one not handheld) and what sort of belts would you need?

 

[launditch1]

A belt sander is the tool of choice.A selection of grits will get you started like 60,120..Normal belts are aluminium oxide, these are ok but wear down fairly quickly.Ceramic belts cut better but are more expensive.
Theres a wealth of grinder info on BB.

 

[wattsy]

so normal belts do work they just wear quicker?

 

[launditch1]

Quicker than ceramic yes but alu oxide will still last a fair while..

 

[alecf]

And theres a blokey on BB john1102 I think it is who is the belt man!

 

[Whittler Kev]

Before you make any decision have a look like the others have said on British blades. A normal belt sander (one with the disk on the side and a horizontal belt) isn't quite the ticket. If you want to do "slack belting" etc, you may want to invest in a "proper" one that some of their members make- or have a go at making one yourself. A real jobby can cost £1000's

 

[Ph34r]

Yes, a belt sander is always good, but you have to replace the belts often. In a bench grinder, you rarely have to change the wheels. I got a decent bench grinder from B&Q that does the job, have not had any problems with it so far. http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?isSearch=true&fh_search=BENCH+GRINDER&x=0&y=0

Ph34r

 

[alecf]

Yes, a belt sander is always good, but you have to replace the belts often. In a bench grinder, you rarely have to change the wheels. I got a decent bench grinder from B&Q that does the job, have not had any problems with it so far. http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?isSearch=true&fh_search=BENCH+GRINDER&x=0&y=0

Ph34r

Thats fine for doing the basic shape of a knife but not for grinding an edge.

 

[Stew]

Yes, a belt sander is always good, but you have to replace the belts often. In a bench grinder, you rarely have to change the wheels. I got a decent bench grinder from B&Q that does the job, have not had any problems with it so far. http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?isSearch=true&fh_search=BENCH+GRINDER&x=0&y=0

Ph34r

That would be a total waste of time for the knife work I do.

 

[HillBill]

Before you make any decision have a look like the others have said on British blades. A normal belt sander (one with the disk on the side and a horizontal belt) isn't quite the ticket. If you want to do "slack belting" etc, you may want to invest in a "proper" one that some of their members make- or have a go at making one yourself. A real jobby can cost £1000's

I use an Axminster jobbie with a 6" wide belt and 250mm disc. Works a treat. True it is limited in that it cant do a proper convex but it can do one quite well, works a treat for re grinding argos axes. I just use the bit between the wheel and the platten. It can do hollow on the end wheel though, you just need a jig/angle plate for it. Plus, this is only an issue if you want to make convex knives.

This is what i have.
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=580422&name=belt+sander&user_search=1&sfile=1&jump=44

 

[Whittler Kev]

Some like these

Axminster AW130BD2 Belt & Disc Sander - 240V
Review here on British Blades

Homemade wooden one here

These tool ideas are good

Knife maker recommendations and not recommended