03-15-2017, 04:45 PM
(This post was last modified: 03-15-2017, 04:48 PM by Mark Reich.)
You did the right thing, Wade! No cheap tools!
I totally agree that 2" machines are better for grinding knives, but belt speed is almost as significant. For a lot of guys price is a big consideration, and it just so happens that you can get high speed machines cheaper. They're for hobbyist woodworkers, and they're called sanders. The HF 1x30, and all other high speed belt machines I'm aware of are made for sanding.
The things that make the Kally 1x42 worth considering are low cost and low speed. It's a grinder!
I've looked at the Kalamazoo 2x48 many times, and I believe I've seen three configurations. For $300, you get a grinder with a 5" contact wheel, with no motor. It has a shaft with a v-groove belt pulley, so it could easily be multi-speed with step pulleys. You get to choose your motor too, so you aren't limited. A 1 hp slow speed motor would make this a nice grinder.
For about $550, it comes with a 5" contact wheel, plus a 1/2 hp Baldor high speed motor. It's a sander.
Tru-Grit offers the Kalamazoo 2x48 with an 8" contact wheel and a 1/2 hp high speed motor for $850. I can't believe they introduce a 7200 SFPM machine for knife work. I would much rather have a Coote 2x72 for my money.
As a final option that you might see suggested elsewhere, Sears sells a 2x42 (not 2x48) with a high speed, 1/3 hp motor. The best thing about it is the price, but that should be expected. It's not an industrial machine, and I would never suggest buying low cost equipment.
Hope this helps!
I totally agree that 2" machines are better for grinding knives, but belt speed is almost as significant. For a lot of guys price is a big consideration, and it just so happens that you can get high speed machines cheaper. They're for hobbyist woodworkers, and they're called sanders. The HF 1x30, and all other high speed belt machines I'm aware of are made for sanding.
The things that make the Kally 1x42 worth considering are low cost and low speed. It's a grinder!
I've looked at the Kalamazoo 2x48 many times, and I believe I've seen three configurations. For $300, you get a grinder with a 5" contact wheel, with no motor. It has a shaft with a v-groove belt pulley, so it could easily be multi-speed with step pulleys. You get to choose your motor too, so you aren't limited. A 1 hp slow speed motor would make this a nice grinder.
For about $550, it comes with a 5" contact wheel, plus a 1/2 hp Baldor high speed motor. It's a sander.
Tru-Grit offers the Kalamazoo 2x48 with an 8" contact wheel and a 1/2 hp high speed motor for $850. I can't believe they introduce a 7200 SFPM machine for knife work. I would much rather have a Coote 2x72 for my money.
As a final option that you might see suggested elsewhere, Sears sells a 2x42 (not 2x48) with a high speed, 1/3 hp motor. The best thing about it is the price, but that should be expected. It's not an industrial machine, and I would never suggest buying low cost equipment.
Hope this helps!