Ultra Cheap Belt Grinder...Exposed! (Harbor Freight 1X30)
A belt grinder for under 60 bucks? Is that even possible? Is it any good? In this video, a pro knife maker takes on the super cheap Central Machinery brand 1X30 inch belt grinder from Harbor Freight to see if he can make a legit blade with it. Find out if he made it work.
Belt grinders -- also referred to as belt sanders -- are the most common and important tool for blade smiths and knife makers generally. But professional models can be expensive. The question here is, can a beginning knife maker or hobbyist (or for that matter a wood worker or metal fabrication guy) make quality products out of a tool this inexpensive? You'll learn the answer here!
Sorry for the poor audio quality. Had a camera glitch this week!
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I'm not a knife maker, but I have have one of these which I've used to reshape and re-profile many an axe head, machete, lawn mower, and bush hog blade. It's removed a bunch of metal over five years or so that I've abused it, and it's never faltered. It's refreshing to see a professional of Walter's caliber reviewing equipment like this.
Have had 3 years it's on its last leg
I have had the Delta version of this for over 30 years and, with the occasional bearing replacement, it is still going strong. It even has a flex shaft attachment that I rarely use. I use this for tools, part deburring, wood and metal profiling. Buy good belts, and get a crepe rubber belt cleaning block to keep them going. I have a Central machinery version at a second location and it feels a little lighter than my original Delta. Both work well for my uses. Thanks for your objective review. I think if you are getting started, this is a great tool.
As a beginner I had one. the best thing about it was since it forced you to go slow it was hard to make a mistake that couldn't be fixed.
Me too
Add me to that list. I don't like HB sandpaper either so I buy better elsewhere online.
This is absolutely not a common sentiment. I have no idea how hard you were grinding but these are much too fast for their size. They're suggested against to beginners because they're so wild with notoriously bad tracking. Also if you're grinding that hard, you're doing it wrong
@@Arthurian. pretty common sentiment. I agree with them fully. You seem to be the odd one out hefe.
@@NeillWylie he's made a dozen knives, how many have you made? I have had 5+ of these over the years, you're just being an ass.
This video is a prime example of what a master craftsman is capable of doing. Shows how important expertise is. His knowledge trumps all limitations the tool might have. It was a pleasure watching this video sir. Thank you
Imagine what he could do in prison with a part of a mattress frame and couple years to work on it 😀
LOL @@polylight
I have the $85 version with the 5" disc. For my VERY limited use, it is perfect and didn't break the very limited hobby budget. Thanks for an honest review that doesn't just trash-talk the tool because it costs so little.
I have a similar tool. I keep it clean and I respect all of my tools. A budget tool is perfect for a man on a budget. A poor craftsman blames his tools.
I didn't realize there was *one without* the 5" round disc.. makes the tool so much more useful. 👍😎✊
I like mine but it shocks me a lot. I read it has some internal issue that causes it. It's not static electricity. I'm in the electric and electronic field for 25 years so i'm not worried about it. cheers
@@drgopta2180 Yeah that's a super common issue with all belt sanders. With most people, it is static electricity and there are a bunch of ways to deal with it. The most common is just to ground the frame and then if you're still having issues, change your belt type or run tinsel over the belt.
It’s because American’s can make this for anywhere near that price. We can’t use near forced labor. I quit buying tools, cars, lots of things. Try to buy things not made in a country that has vowed to destroy my country one way or another. Just saying “pay now or pay later”
Mine is the older HF brand/model. I’ve made some really nice knives with it. As a beginning/hobbyist knife maker, I think it’s amazing! Plus, at this price point, it’s not going to totally kill your budget if you have to replace it. I’ve had mine for 3 years and still going strong! I can also get the ceramic belts for it, too. Just take your time using it, be patient and enjoy the process.
I love that you still do testing on this type of thing for the benefit of those getting into the hobby. I would have dismissed it out of hand - I could buy two files with that money!
I originally bought this belt sander to use for tool restoration. It has also been a very useful tool for making knives and grinding bevels on my woodworking tools. I recently bought a leather 1x30 belt, so now I use it to strop my various blades. It might be light duty, but it's been a super useful tool.
A buddy I used to work with brought their next largest model home from a flea market in 2005 and it was well used then and still going strong in 023.
Thanks for the leather belt idea.. I strop my knives on a piece of leather glued to a flat stick and charged with polishing compound,
Great idea. I didn't know those existed.
Having watched too many knife-related videos, this is one of the most sensible, considered and candid. Kudos,
WHAT A GREAT REVIEW. I started somewhere, like everyone does. You pointed out a damn good way to jump in, even if garage sales couldn't get you where you wanted to be, and you didn't have the cash to go all in up front [and had to upgrade a bit here and there, as you could afford it]. SIDE NOTE: I'm a woodworker, miner steel player wither, plastic worker, copper plater and so on. I lucked out and scored a delta 1x42 for ten bucks at a garage sale about twenty years ago. Since then, I've added a four wheel grinder I picked up off craigslist [for a couple hundred] (it was a 3,600 RPM thing off a 240 volt motor, but I swapped the original motor for a sewing machine motor and controller (3/4 horse), installed a couple CBN, diamond and stone wheels on it and was off and running. I added a Air Handler buffer to the mix for one hundred (little 1/4 horse with a solid squirrel cage in the cabinet to collect debris All nothing, (air handler aside) compared to your grinders (which my son invested in too). The point of all this is, I'm impressed with this jumping off point.
I had purchased one of these machines for my automotive shop a few years back. I certainly was not expecting much at all for all the reasons you mentioned, but I was also not looking for a machine to handle heavy use. Like you, I also tossed the cheap belt and bought good ones. I have to admit, I was extremely surprised at how well it works. For the money, it is well worth buying one. Awesome stuff as always man. Love your work!
I've had one of these belt sanders for about a decade, and I agree with the assessments made in this video. One thing I should note is that last year the on/off switch on mine failed, but it was easily replaced with a generic rocker switch from Amazon (that fit perfectly) for about $5. These days, mine is relegated almost exclusively to smaller wood working projects.
Thank you for posting the tests that you do with keeping in mind those of that are just getting started or are home hobbiests that don't have the space or the funds for the professional/ production equipment.
I used one of these for about 15 years or so before the motor went out. It worked great for me. I liked that it was a little slower, it made me take my time and get things exactly they way I wanted them. It worked great for reprofiling and repairing blades that people would bring me to fix. I also liked that it was small and took up very little room. Many times I took it to work with me to use . It may be cheap but it did everything I needed it to do.
Thanks for a very reasonable review of this tool. I will probably never get into knife making from scratch, but I have other hobbies where this could be useful such as building amateur rockets or making metal brackets for various things.
I bought one just for sharpening, when the edge needs some re-profiling. I have many decades of practice on stones, but the time saved here is enormous. Just always remember that what can do a good job fast, can ruin a knife just as fast, be sure you can hold your angle every pass. I saw a vid a while back of a professional sharpening shop, and they had a whole wall full of these. It was more practical to have a machine for each grit than it was to change the belts.
Walter you are right on the money. I have had one of these for years. It does great service for light duty stuff, as you said. I made a drop point knife from miter a saw blade and it did a great job. Thanks for another great video.
Great info and I’ve been wondering this exact thing. Thanks for this.
Starting out, i purchased the equivalent of this machine from Princess Auto in Canada. It served me very well. You can definitely make knives with it. I still use it now, even though i built a 2x72 Grinder. It still comes in handy! I would recommend it to anyone starting out.
I picked up one of these to do some of the finer finishing/polishing work on my amateur experiments in customizing stock blades, with my old 4X36 handling the bigger removal jobs (relatively speaking). It's held up better than I thought it would, but then I'm usually using very fine belts at low pressure. Also functions as an oversized Worksharp for edge touch-ups with 600-1000 grit belts. Really glad I found your channel!
Nice! I picked one of these up when it was on clearance for wood, but I had no idea it was even useable for steel. Honestly I love that I don’t need to care for it. Worst case, it breaks and I now have a light duty induction motor
This is the kind of info that is great for people wanting to test the waters! Absolutely a good way to go at it! Thanks for sharing!
I have one of the green ones. It cost a little under $40. Once a year I gather all my knives and my daughters' knives and with a couple of higher grit belts, a 1x30 leather belt, and some polishing compound I bring everything to factory sharp or better. It works great!
This information is what I needed. I just started woodworking and didn’t want to make a poor choice of belt sander. Thanks!
I use mine for primary handle shaping. Because it does not dig into the material too fast, even with a 36-grit belt, it's easy to keep things smooth and even.
Use mine on handles and made a drill bit sharpening jig for it
36 grinds into steel rapidly. Handle material stands no chance against a rigid AF 36 grit belt, especially on a 1x30. I'm not buying your story
@@willlothridge3197what is a drill bit sharpening jig for a 1x30 grinder?
@@Arthurian.you really don't know what a drill bit sharpening jig is? Hell buddy, you have the internet so you surely have google?!
@@Arthurian. about a 4” long piece of 1x1 angle with homemade ball mounts on a base
I definitely look forward to the following videos on this track. My hand me down 4x36 slips so bad and I don’t want to break the bank on a new one.
Thank you for the demonstration and review!
That's what I started with, then moved up to a 2x72 when my skills improved and my pocketbook got larger. I still use mine, but only with a leather belt for final stropping, which it does perfectly.
I’ve been thinking about buying one of these grinders for a while… great info… answered exactly the questions I’ve been rolling over in my head.
I have the Vonhaus 1x30, very similar to this but has a built in disc sander too. I'll upgrade to a 2x72 as soon as I can afford it but honestly, this little belt grinder has been amazing! I've made everything from little sgian dubhs through Bowie knives up to 1 handed swords using it and it's handled them all just fine, slowly, but fine. For a little under £100 I have no complaints.
Thanks for the Honest Review Mr. Walter!
It´s the first time for me join your canal! i like the way you do it!
Thanks for a good detailed review! For sanding smooth the edges of circuit boards that I manufacture from time to time, I use a homemade small belt grinder on semi-permanent loan from a friend. It uses 1" x 42" belts driven by a wooden [!] 6" OD pulley on the shaft of a commonplace 1750 RPM 1/4 HP motor. Works at least as well as the Central Machinery machine in your review, but it is heavy and somewhat clumsy to adjust. It is good to know that there is a quick, easy & cheap alternative if my friend needs his machine back...
I'm brand new and I have this. This video made me realize I can do it with time. I also now know what belts to use. Thank you!
Good job Walter. More than you expected and more than I expected.
Love to see what other affordable grinders you highlight. I would submit that most of us who have gotten into knife making and. The last 10 years started on a 1x30.
Nice and honest review. I’m sure some crafters will appreciate this tool for starting out. I know I will. Thanks!
Watching your videos and some others I appreciate the time and professionalism of your videos. To dip my toe In The Biz I used the earlier model of the Harbor Freight grinder. I made probably 20 knives with that grinder which I also got a taste in buying quality belts for future reference. As soon as I was over being a novice, I was able to fabricate a 2x72 Grinder from a dc motor and control board off a free treadmill. There's many videos on how to make it out there on KZhead, and it gave me forward and reverse and variable speed which is invaluable for grinding a quality knife. After I went through two motors from getting metal dust into the windings I still couldn't afford a $3,000 grinder so I bought the plans for my 2nd gen Revolution 2x72 grinder from Brian house out of Florida for 10 bucks. With the steel, the motor, and the controller I'm into it for about 800 bucks. But I will say that it is an industrial machine that will last me a lifetime, plenty of power, forward and reverse, variable speed, vertical and horizontal grinding. It's an excellent machine and would sell somewhere in the range of $3,000 assembled out the door. It took me a while to save up the scratch and lots of research before I decided to build the revolution, and I'm not dissatisfied I love that machine I use it everyday on anything I need to grind. It's a cheaper way to get an excellent 2x72 grinder and I would advise anyone with a little welding knowledge to do what I did. Get a hold of Brian house and get the plans or buy the bundle and you're in for a professional machine for a lot less than you would buying a prefabricated tool. Thank you Walter Sorrels, you are my number one man for knife making videos over the last five or six years I couldn't have done it without you thank you thank you thank you Walter. Keep up the good work my brother from the knife making community.
Looking forward to this series. Not just money but space is a premium for the hobbyist who’s wife won’t let them park a Bridgeport in the garage… 😢
Get a new wife, then get a new Bridgeport brother!
very well put. it's great way to see if knife making is for you.
Just so you know I love your videos!! You one amazing man!👍
@Walter Sorrells - Moral of the story: Unskilled craftsmen blame their tools.... Skilled craftsmen fashion their own. 😉
did my first 20 blades on a 1x42 delta grinder, finally afforded a Wilmont 2X72. I use that grinder for a lot of other fabrication work now, one of my favorite shop tools.
I really enjoyed this kind of content. Thanks a million.
I have four 1x30 belt grinders, only one is Central Machinery and I use it with a stropping belt. The other three grinders are more notable name brands. With a few minor modifications my 1x30s work great with the correct/proper belt selection. Thank you for this video.
Great review! Love to see one on the grizzly grinder as well!
I have one that I've used fairly extensively. I removed the table and the platen. I use it exclusively as a slack belt for cleaning up convex grinds and putting the final bevel on hollow grinds.
I've had a green Harbor Freight version for over a decade and it is still rolling along. I'm not a knife maker, but I built boats and use this tool for all kinds of detail work on wood, fiberglass and metal. I've altered mine to include vibration reducing base and a quick way to remove the cover forr belt changes. I use the dust port and improved the guide table by drilling multiple holes in the surface t allow air flow. This thing works.
I have owned and operated one of these small sanders for over 20 years now, for small deburring and small drill bits or lathe tools. I degreed my plate for ease of use, and find this exactly as per cost and need. Cheap and capable of good performance with Zirconia belts on small objects, when not in any hurry. For my main used of all intentions is my Burr-King 4" x 60". I also have the larger Harbor Freight Belt sander with the side wheel, and find it acceptable for larger, soft material objects, but easy to stop and very Endemic for power. For a serious user or knife maker' Buy Nice, or By Twice.
I bought one of these from Harbor Freight almost two years ago and it's still going strong. I only own two machines I use as grinders to profile and flatten my blades; the 1x30 and a 4x36 adjustable belt sanding station from Bauer. Now that you can get much more aggressive abrasive belts for these machines, I think they're great if you're starting out or just strapped for cash. I still like to file my bevels in by using draw filing at my bench, but these two machines significantly drop the time it takes me to get a blade ready for heat treatment and they also help me process my handle materials quickly as I work with a lot of bone, antler, and horn that I repurpose from the stuff sold as dog treats. I think they're great compared to the alternative of doing everything purely by hand.
I’ve had mine for about 10 years and it’s still going. The capacitor just blew on it but I was able to bypass it and it still works!! As a serious hobbyist from making knives and blacksmithing it’s an extremely useful tool.
This is great information. I want one of those for hobby woodworking use, I'm happy to learn that it would actually grind knife bevels.
Walter, excellent video. I don't fabricate the blades, but I buy the blanks and assemble the scales and finish the knife, then make the sheaths. This would be a very good sander for finishing, I think. Thanks.
I’ve had one of these for years… I also have 5 other grinders that are highly expensive, and I use this in conjunction with(not instead)of my others. That way I’ve been able to make really good use of it. It’s really good for tight spaces!
My wife loves this sander it is perfect for her craft projects thanks for sharing your information about this little cheap sander 👍
I bought one several years ago for mid thirties and I have no idea what it will do for knifemakers but I would not be without one for a small drill bit sharpener. I use it for very small to 1/2" bits and it gives me great control. Not to thrilled with the channels in the table but I have to say this has been a performer. I always get a better grade of belt but with that it is something I would not be without. I use it every day and it has been without any problems.
Thank you for sharing this.
I've had this one for a number of years and it works just fine for what I use it for. Sharpening drill bits.
Thanks Walter,i was looking for something other than my worksharp and with a little more power. It’ll definitely fit my needs reshaping tsuka and saya and maybe even sharpening katana.
I like the honest review. I've bought a couple of tools from harbor freight just to try out and so far most have been pretty good. They are basic simple tools great for beginners on a budget.
Thanks so much for doing this video. I am exactly the person you're talking about and you have given me the confidence to go purchase that cheap belt sander I had been looking at. It's actually lots better than the one you tested but it's not an expensive one.
Exactly how I started many years ago. Then on to a 1 x 42 and finally to a 2 x 72. I would tell a beginner to go for it, but be ready to spend some serious money down the line. Thanks for good video.
So.. I'm a hobbyist leatherworker.. Might look into seeing if they ship to Canada cause I can use this to sand my edges flush instead of measuring everything 4 times and then making micro cuts with a knife to clean up my edges... This looks very promising for that, and maybe I'll try a knife of my own too, and then make a sheath for it!
Really good honest video, Thankyou! I use files and a wheel grinder with various wheels. Its what I can afford. I also use a hand drill with different wheel attachments like sanding discs and polishing disc's. Takes me alot longer but ive made some nice stuff. I plan on buying one of these now thanks to your review and the comments. I have found if I take my time and use some ingenuity anything I put my mind too is very doable. Thanks for your Chanel you always give me good ideas.
I started knife making with a 1x30, like many other have. I made several knives that all turned out good. The disadvantages I saw were with the narrow platen and the amount of time it took to grind compared to a 2x72. If your on the fence about not being able to make a 1x30 work for you don't. Take your time and you'll be fine.
Hey Walter. Been watching for years and love your content. I am familiar with the Harbor Freight 1 x 30. The original was green and looked identicle to the new version that you have. The original was a 1/3 HP and if you look at the box the picture shows 1/3 hp but right next to it in the specification chart says 1/4 HP ( see your time stamp 2:07) Most of us leave the side cover off. I am hoping that along with all the upgrade tools coming to HF that maybe a Bauer or Hercules Version is comimng soon. There are plenty of variants on the net for a little more $ that are better.
Yep, I got the same one and it's still running! 👍
In My experience H.F motors are badly over rated. an old bench grinder would bairly start when pluged into it's rated 110V. however changing the plug to 220v and it ran as expcted. A 110v bench Drill press would bairly drill a 1/4 in hole bur I never tried to up the voltage on that.
@@lloydscharf6897I've never had these issues ever and I have all hf power tools minus my kiln and 2x72. I use the warranties too. Something isn't right in your wiring somewhere is this is consistent with you
The trick to a grinder like this is to hog off most of the material with an angle grinder rough pass. You can get one super cheap at HF too… this will give you several benefits. You’ll get practice with both tools, you’ll save time and money on consumables by saving your belts and you’ll have more fun focusing on making progress instead of trying to grind away an inch of steel for an hour! I’ve had this little grinder and it worked great for me for a long time, because I took care of it, I spent the money I saved on better quality belts and knife steel and I made a few jigs for it that made it safer and faster to use. So yeah… just remember… a poor craftsman blames his tools! You just have to respect your cheap tools instead of thrashing them because they’re cheap. I love Adam Savages method where he says to buy the cheapest tops you can, use them until they break and upgrade with the most expensive you can afford and the best quality that you need! Because you might not even like knife making, so don’t buy a 3k grinder to start. Start small, learn what you like, what features you want or dislike so when you upgrade you know exactly what you want and you can get the best tool for you!
Mr. Sorrells, I apologize. I obviously offended you when I mentioned my own business. The complement still stands. You greatly influenced me to develop a hobby that became a small business. The tip still stands. I use ceramic glass platens on all my belt grinders.
I have an 8 in. Bench Grinder with a Light & an Angle Grinder to do the heavy work. To do the light work & sharpening, I got the $80 CENTRAL MACHINERY 1 in. x 30 in. Belt and 5 in. Disc Sander. I also bought some extra 60, 80 &120 Grit belts & disks from Harbor Freight. I also got on eBay a $38 Edge Trailing’ (AWAY) Knife Sharpening Angle Guide and a 12 pack of 1” x 30” Sharpening / Sanding belts. (2) Each of: 120 Grit Firestorm Ceramic Polyester Belt, 220 Grit Ceramic Alumina Closed Coat Belt, 400 Grit Aluminum Oxide Soft Closed Coat Belt, 600 Grit Aluminum Oxide Soft Closed Coat Belt, 800 Grit Aluminum Oxide Soft Closed Coat Belt & 1200 Grit Aluminum Oxide Blue Film Belt.
Thanks for sharing!
I have a similar product that also has a sanding wheel that I purchased from Harbor Freight. I am happy with it. It does the job.
I opted for the Kalamazoo 1x30 before biting the bullet for 2x72. It’s much more rugged than the HF model however I had to modify it’s platen first thing. Of course I had to pay more. For some one to test the waters of knife making there’s a pretty wide range of possible tools for sure.
Love to see fair reviews of inexpensive products.
This was my first grinder, probably close to 100 knives on it. I've since made my way up to a big 2x72. Still use my el cheapo as my knife sharpener.
Thank you, Mr. Sorrells, nice video, great info...you have a new subbie.
Glad to see your wearing the respirator. As a metal worker, I noticed after grinding metal outside in the sunlight, the sun's rays showed just how many very small metal flakes were floating around me. You don't want this in your lungs. I also use a respirator and also have a huge workspace exhaust fan. Safety first.
Yeah you don't want the metal shavings in your eyes either.
I have my home made 2x72 for my knives, but often when I have a more complex (for me) designed blade, I find my 1x30 easier to control for the finishing touches.
One of my son gave me this belt sander and it work great I like it very much. I think my son is a great little machine. I restore old Daisy, baby, guns and music constantly. Thank you, Harbor freight.
I have one I bought way back when I was in highschool for getting into knives. It was a good better-than-nothing start. It let me make quite a few small, beginner projects.
I don't really make knives yet, but do forge tools like chisels and scrapers, as well as sharpening axes, knives, etc that I already have. I picked up a fairly cheap king canada 1x42 disc/belt sander, that has quickly become one of my most used power tools. I replaced the cheap platen with a small piece of 1/4" angle iron, and took the side cover off, but otherwise run it as-is. Well worth every penny, even if I do end up buying, or more likely building, a 2x42 or 2x72 down the road. Another thing worth mentioning about these little grinders, esp this one, is just that. They are SMALL, meaning you can have one in almost any workspace, and tuck it away on a shelf when not needed. Perfect for hobby or occasional use, where space might be more of an issue than cost.
When I started making knives as a hobby I did not know what I was doing and did not want to spend a lot not knowing if I would want to continue I bought this grinder, a harbor freight cast anvil and made a barely passable home made forge. Using this under powered grinder taught me patients for when I started getting better and spent the money for better belt grinders, forge and anvil. 4 years later and I still have this sander, does not get much use anymore, but sometimes still use it on roughing handle scales
I too use mine for handle shaping and even rough sharpening with the super strop kit and a angle guide.
Thanks for the video
I’ve had mine for about 10 years, still working and has been very useful. Totally worth the cost. I’m just a hobbyist though l don’t have huge demands on it.
Walter, can provide a link to the belts you ended up using? Also, I'm looking forward to what the next step from this would be. Thanks!
Great vid man. It was internet and informative.
Yep, got one of these. The belt doesn't run quite straight, but I've still been able to get some good practice on bevels and it's remarkably quick to grind away 1084
1. I've used the same HF belt sander for better than 7 years. Mine has the 5 1/2 in. disk on the side. I paid under $40.00 for it on sale. 1.5. As an aside, I recommend the 4.5 in. disc grinder for cutting stock out. It's light duty as well (at under $20.00 on sale) but great for the hobbiest. 2. The HF abrasives kind'a suck. The belts are usable but not fo long. I'd recomend getting them elsewhere. 3. I tend to do my "grinding" by hand mostly as I enjoy the work. My HF belt sander is used mainly to "cut" the first 1/4 in. of the bevel at the edge to the centerline. As I said, I enjoy the work. 4. Thankyou Mr. Sorrells for your multiple series on knife making. They've been educational as well as inspirational.
I'd love to see a followup on using this to sharpen axes, chisels, pocket knives, kitchen knives (cheap and professional), etc. Things like grit, angles, things like that. Twice the price of a good whetstone set but does it work better?
I have 2 mounted back to back on a 12 x 24 " board. C clamp holds it down, 2 different grits, loosen the clamp and spin the rig around and go again. Belt sets are $10 for 30 (!) on Temu. Warning: stopping the motor with excessive loads will burn out the pully/bearings, THEY ARE NOT AVAILABLE. I got one of these sanders for $20 because the pully was seized. Matched a bearing and "poured" a new plastic puller around it, bit of sanding and it's now workable. Thanks for the vid.
This is a very fair review. Unlike too many other people, you treated it as what it is, a really inexpensive machine, without constantly complaining that it wasn’t as good as something five to 10 times as much. These machines have their place. If you make knives or anything else for yourself as a hobby where you’re not making a lot of parts, this is fine. If you really like the hobby and want to move more seriously, then after starting with this, move up.
I went with a Rikon 1x30 with a 5" disc... $140 from my local Woodcraft store. I have used it to make a couple knives with very good success but mostly use it with a homemade jig for regrinding plane irons and chisels as needed. The table on the Rikon has very nice fine adjusting screws for pitch adjustment which works brilliantly for chisel grinds. So yeah I agree with you that a 1x30 isn't the same as a 2x72 but it'll get the job done.
We had one at the machine shop and was used everyday to de-burr the thousands of parts and overtime hundreds of thousands parts that we made 😂 it always covered in aluminum, stainless steel, teflon, delrin, brass, copper, steel and others dust and still always worked. The belts lasted a really long time. Truly a great tool. 👍🏻
Great review. I really want to see reviews of those 4x42 and others in the ~ $300 price range. thanks.
I bought a delta version of this sander and I have used the heck out of it for over 10 years. Great for small parts and sharpening.
I learned how to grind on one of these and its still going strong. If you dont have a dedicated shop, these are a cheap and cheerful way to speed up your knife making, and you can run them on kitchen counter with a vacuum cleaner hose attached to the side to keep the mess minimal. I personally try and keep them religiously clean because metal filings have a bit of a habit of building up inside the cowling. If you are doing mixed wood and metal work then you risk a flammable build up developing inside. This aside, if you treat it well, it will treat you well.
I have the older (green) version. It's seen lots of use in my small shop, where I do a lot of one-off stuff. Have not used it for knife making, but it has saved my bacon a few times over the years. I seem to recall paying around $40 for mine back then. Agree on the included belts: They don't last very long. Get some better quality ones. It's one of those tools that would get replaced if it ever dies.
I still use one to shape my handles & small parts. It's pretty useful.
I have one I use for rough sharpening the knife on my wood chipper.
I use a Delta branded one from 20 years ago or so. Made in china I guess. looks similar but has the 5" disc which is what it use to grind bone bridge saddles for classical guitars. it has been great for that light use. a grinder this size would be the first bench top tool I would recommend for a beginning guitar maker or repair person. good review.
I’ve made 150 or knives with mine! Still using it! It’s probably 8 years old! Enjoy your video s. 🤠🇺🇸👍