What Sander/Grinder?

[yungmannfuzz]

Hi Guys

I want to clean up and sharpen some old tools, and I have a load of old files that i would like to attempt to make into knives..

Looking at a bench grinder/sander

There is a Clarke one : £60 [url]http://www.amazon.co.uk/CLARKE-METALWORK-BENCH-GRINDER-SAND/dp/B006YLZ3Q0/ref=sr_1_9?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1390467884&sr=1-9&keywords=sander+clarke [/URL]

A Draper one : http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-05096-Grinder-Sanding-Worklight/dp/B005A57BAC/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t

And A titan One : £60

http://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-d15-b10-a-belt-disc-sander-230v/52590#

What would you recommend?

 

[drliamski]

Not the titan

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk 2

 

[yungmannfuzz]

Good, at least that's one off the list

Just wonder is the £20 extra for the draper worth it or not?

 

[yungmannfuzz]

Does anyone have them?

Also I want to know if I can put either belt flat ? Neither description makes it that obvious!!

 

[Kerne]

I bought the Clark one and the belt sander was really temperamental - the grinder was Ok but I changed it for a polishing wheel. I couldn't get the belt to run consistently well and it often stalled.

For sharpening tools I use one of these:

http://www.clasohlson.com/uk/Tormek-T-3/Pr183008000?gclid=COeAiaurlLwCFRLMtAodlSgAOQ

(It was a lot less about 15 years ago when I got it - still going strong.)

BTW: the belt is fixed. I wanted it to grind an edge onto knife blanks but it just couldn't cope. Of course - it could be pilot error...

 

[British Red]

I would PM HillBill or FGYT - both excellent knife makers. I have one similar to the top two and no way would I rough out a blade on it. Its also not suitable really for convexing and refinishing axe heads (although I can make it work by partially disassembling it which is not a job for the timid or even wildly wise. A simple 1" belt sander than can be run slack would be far better for axes.

 

[HillBill]

Look at something like this mate.
http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-hobby-series-aw130bd2-belt-disc-sander

 

[yungmannfuzz]

Look at something like this mate.
http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-hobby-series-aw130bd2-belt-disc-sander

Why is that better HillBill?

If I am to put a grind on something would it not be easier to have a flat belt?

 

[yungmannfuzz]

Sorry for such a stupid question, if that's not explanatory enough I meant like a table belt!

 

[HillBill]

You can fit a removable platen behind the belt, and then have the ability to do flat grinding and convex grinding. Truth is though, for less than £100 you aint gonna get much for your money. You will aways struggle on them, as they have low power, cheap components etc.

You will likely have to mod any grinder you buy too, to fit proper angle guides, platens etc.

 

[yungmannfuzz]

And is the Axminster one not a bit lower powered than the clarke alternative?

http://www.warriorwarehouses.co.uk/...ders/CBS1-5-1x5-BELT-DISC-SANDER-20CL-6500403

 

[HillBill]

If you could afford, i would get this..
http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-hobby-series-awebds610-belt-disc-sander

Great machine. I can vouch for it. I;ve been making knives on one for 5 years. Its still my main grinder, and i have only had to replace the capacitor on it once. No other probs.

 

[HillBill]

It is a bit, i just showed the axminster one as an example of a style of grinder.

And is the Axminster one not a bit lower powered than the clarke alternative?

http://www.warriorwarehouses.co.uk/...ders/CBS1-5-1x5-BELT-DISC-SANDER-20CL-6500403

 

[yungmannfuzz]

I was able to look at a few sites there to set the set-up for the grind. I think that kind of grinder is the way to go. Cheers, really appreciate that advice

 

[HillBill]

No worries

 

[Shovel]

I dunno if you guys can get them in the UK, but I would have a look at Grizzly's site (although it may end up costing more in postage).