recently did one like this and it turned out well. However, I have found that the Palmgren/Dayton/Craftsman 1/3hp 2X42 belt sander to be adequate when used with ceramic belts for tool grinding. In general, the minimum power for a small belt sander would be about 1/2hp or more. They're fine for grinding wood or the occasional small metal project but for grinding tools or fabrication you are far better off with a 2" belt and more HP. I have an admitted bias against the 1" belt grinders because most of them are underpowered, have a flexible platen that mounts only on the bottom and most importantly, the belt is too narrow to grind tools efficiently so it eats belts faster. Just waiting for the next 25% off sale to buy one. I need something portable which is why I didn't want to go with the Kalamazoo. Dayton also make ones like that and are pretty cheap in price.Īs much as I would love to have a nice powerful vfd controlled 2x72 like knife makers use, I don't have the room for one nor do I have a dedicated spot for a grinder. However I think with models like that I would have to bolt it down which I do not want to do. I also looked at the 2" version of the Kalamazoo that you posted as someone was selling one local to me. IMO a 1x42 is not much of an upgrade over a 1x30 if that's what you currently have unless quality & power is what you're mainly after. If Kalamzoo is still the same, can't go wrong with one of them. Power is nice but not the main criteria for me. I was looking at 1" belt grinders but I know it will end up wanting something a bit bigger. I've currently got a Rikon 6x48 belt/6" disc & while it works ok for small fine/finishing jobs I want something where I can really get right up to the edge of the belt. I'm also in the market for a new belt grinder. If you have a personal experience with either of the two I mentioned or any other belt grinders, I'd love to hear what you have to say. So, of the two I linked ,which one do you like the best? or is there a better choice you think I should consider, budget is about $400 USD, I'm planning on getting a few of those Red Label ceramic belts that Mikey likes so much so it's all going to cost about $500. ![]() I read somewhere that a 2" belt also fits on it ,not sure if it's true though.:īefore anyone asks why not build one, to tell you the truth I haven't found a decent plan for a 1"x 42" grinder that I like, plus, it may be fun to build but it'll most likely cost me more to make one than what I can find on the market so for now I'm not entertaining that option. Then there's this Palmgren grinder with 1/2 HP but it is made in China so I'm not sure it is as reliable or as powerful as the 1/3 hp Kalamazoo.I have seen them under different names,Dayton is one I remember right now. I read a lot of positive reviews on it but it only has a 1/3 HP, I'm afraid it'll bog down when I bear down on it but I can live with that if it tracks as well as some of the owners claim. What do you all think of this Kalamazoo sander: So far I have seen a few disk/ belt grinders under different names (Rikon, King, Grizzley, Jet( Jet seems to be the best of the lot ) but they all have small motors with less HP, If I find a good one I don't think I'll even assemble the disk on it and just use the belt so I'd rather get just a belt grinder. ![]() ![]() I have a Chinese 1" x 30" belt /disk sander that I really like and use often so I think a 1" x 42" would be an upgrade but if I find a 2"x42" with a solid / powerful motor, I wouldn't complain. I'm in the market for a small belt grinder that doesn't take up a lot of room ,I'll be using it to shape, debure, grind metal mostly but also wood plastic,etc.
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