how well would this work as a grinder?

[tradsniper]

I want to get into knife making but I am on a budget and was wondering how well this would work as a grinder.  http://www.grizzly.com/products/Belt-Sander-1-x-30-/H3140  
If any of you have any other recomendatons I would really appreciate any input. I need to stay under $150 and prefferably under $100

[TheBigRedArcher]

I started with a Craftsman 1x30. Goes through the belts pretty quick in my book, but it should get you started.

TBRA

[kbaknife]

Chris is pretty accurate.
You can't find belts of zirconia and such to fit that machine which are necessary to make any progress on steel. Steel will EAT silicon carbide belts like candy.
You'll soon have invested enough $000.00 in belts that you could have bought a better grinder.
Just save your money until you can step up to something more sufficient to avoid disappointment.

[Jeremy]

I've made dozens of knives on my Grizzly 1x30.  You can buy 1x30 zirconia belts from Jantz and others, so that's not an issue.  Even if you buy the regular belts, it's still a very inexpensive way to get started in knife making and it doesn't go through belts that quickly, especially if you're forging to shape.  Even with stock reduction knives it wasn't excessive IMO.

The Craftsman 2x42 is in your price range as well.  I have one of these too... my complaint is the belt speed is too fast and the belt selection isn't as wide as for the 1x30 or the 2x72 grinders.

If I was just getting started, knowing what I know now, I'd still get the 1x30.  It's slower going than the 2x grinders, but starting out that's a good thing  

[Ragnarok Forge]

Buy the little beast and have at it.  The only way to get good is to start and make a lot of blades.  Buy what you can afford and get more advanced equipment when you can afford it.

[TheBigRedArcher]

Probably the best information I can add to it is to make sure you do not push the steel into the belt too hard. It will make the little motor in that thing work too hard and greatly shorten its life.

TBRA

[elk ninja]

I have been using a 1X30 for stock removal knives for some time now, works great, didn't cost much, and doesn't take up much room.  Can't ask for much more than that... unless you are anticipating making lots of knives (not lots over time, but lots in a relatively short amount of time), I would go for it!

[Ragnarok Forge]

Oh, and I have to commit knife making heresy here.  You don't need all the multiple grit count belts.  I start at 36 or 40 to get everything set and all cutting work done.  Everything else is refining and finish work.  From there I like to hit 120 or 180 grit next depending on how clean the bevels are on the blade.  Then right to 400 grit.   This not only saves me a lot of cash on belts, it also saves me a ton of time.  Once I switched to this process I noticed my my knives look just the same as before.  

Once I hit 400 grit with the belt sander, I switch to draw filing ( sanding ) by hand then  finish sanding by hand. I uses 600, 800, and 1000 grit sand paper for this work.  If I want a mirrored blade I will go to finer grit counts as needed.  I know lots of guys step thru every grit level.  For me I have found it to be unecessary.

[Rusty Snuffers]

Thought I'd resurrect this thread since I'm hoping to start forging this year.  This sander is down to $65 so it seems like a great place to start.  My question is regarding the different types of belts available at Jantz and other sellers.  Which type would be the most efficient?  I'm hoping to forge my blades to shape, so (in theory) I'd be using the sander to grind the flats and such.  I just don't know much about these different belts...

Options:
Aluminum Oxide
Zirconia
Norton Ceramic
Norton Blaze

Any and all feedback appreciated.

Thanks,
Rusty

[milehi101]

I used a 1X30 Delta and bought my belts from Jantz for a long time.  I would hate to go back to it but it worked ok at the time.

[Ragnarok Forge]

The last two belts listed should last the longest while grinding.

[JMR]

Great info as I am looking to purchase my first belt grinder with limited funds. Thanks guys for the great responses.

[Pac'em out]

I bought one from HF a couple weeks ago and it works great.  I'm a beginner as well and don't plan on going into the knife making business.  HF has it on sale for $39.99!

[Pac'em out]

I ordered some belts last week as well.  I found Lee Valley to more user friendly than Jantz.  Prices are fair as well.

[Rusty Snuffers]

Originally posted by Ragnarok Forge:
The last two belts listed should last the longest while grinding.

Thanks!

Rusty

[Rusty Snuffers]

Originally posted by Pac'em out:
I bought one from HF a couple weeks ago and it works great.  I'm a beginner as well and don't plan on going into the knife making business.  HF has it on sale for $39.99!

Thanks for the tip.  Judging from the pics of the Grizzly and the one from HF, the only difference is the sticker.