In this blog, we’ll review belt grinders used for knife making and how to use them to deliver superior-quality blades. Some knife makers like to start with an angle grinder for the initial profiling before moving to a belt grinder, but you can use a belt grinder for the whole grinding process. If you decide to use your belt grinder instead of an angle grinder to shape the outline of the blade, you’ll want to ensure you have some form of flat surface to set the metal on while grinding.
Grinding using a Belt Sander Introduction This page discusses grinding edge tools using a Belt Sander. My 1″ vertical belt sander I originally got this belt sander to sharpen lathe tools. Robert Sorby ProEdge belt sander The English company Robert Sorby makes a belt sander with a number of different tool rests.
I set the angles by drilling a hole in the box hinge arm and holding it along the angle iron while using a machinist protractor on the hinged face of the jig at the desired angle, then using a sharpie to mark the location of the hole on the angle iron. The jig held the knife rock solid and allowed me to grind very evenly on the 1 x30 belt sander. I used ‘coarse’ belt to grind the 5/10 degree angle, and a finer belt to grind the edge.
Considering its low price, we were quite surprised when it turned out to be one of the best belt grinders for knife making for the money. For most users, we think the Bucktool Combo Belt Sander is the best belt grinder for knife making overall. The Shop Fox W1843 Knife Belt Sander is the best choice for serious knife makers.
1×30 grinder has a 1-inch wide belt that is 30 inches in circumference, a 2×72 has a 2-inch wide belt, that is 72 inches in circumference. A wider belt exerts more friction on the flat platen of a machine, needing more power and a longer belt allows for less time between belt changes but will also demand extra power. A 2×72 grinder runs best with a motor of 2hp. But a 1×72″: grinder would grind great with only 1hp. When you reduce your belt length, you also reduce the demand on the motor which is why our 2×48″ machines are supplied with a 1.5hp motor.
how to grind a knife with a belt sander Related Question:
Can I use a belt sander as a grinder?
High speed abrasives heat the edge very quickly, especially at finer grits (finer than 120) and even more if the abrasive is a little worn. I have belts with grits as small as 15 micron, but no longer use them. A 1″ belt sander can replace a grinding wheel for many sharpening applications.
Can you use a belt sander to grind metal?
The heavy duty belt sander was designed to do general material removal whether it’s wood and or metal. Making sure you use the right belt type and grit for the material that you’re wanting to sand.
Can you use a belt sander to sharpen tools?
If you don’t have a bench grinder, you can sharpen chisels and other tools almost as well with a belt sander with a fine-grit belt. Tighten the belt sander (the kind with parallel sides) in a Black & Decker Workmate or similar device, and clamp a shop-made stand alongside it to hold cutting tools for sharpening.
What is a belt sander grinder for?
Industrial Belt Sanders and Grinders These versatile tools are used in many different industrial settings, including factories, machine shops, garages, and more. They’re used to produce some of the most important parts for various types of machinery, such as cars, planes, ships, trains, and even consumer electronics.
What is a belt grinder used for?
Belt grinding uses an abrasive belt attached to a motor (visualize a chainsaw without blades) to grind down the surface of a working material that makes contact. A belt grinder (not to be confused with a belt sander) is typically used on metal materials and is excellent at grinding down metal surfaces.
Is a belt sander faster?
Belt Sanders are high-speed, which can save time. They’re also powerful, able to remove any material and the best sander for aggressive removal down to the wood. When working with the grain, they are the perfect sander for large surfaces.
Can a wood sander be used on metal?
Sandpaper readily scratches metal, and the scratch marks aren’t as easy to remove as they are from wood. When sanding metal to remove rust or to deburr an edge, therefore, you shouldn’t use sandpaper with a grit coarser than 220, and, if possible, you should use an even finer one, such as 320.
What machine do you use to sand metal?
The most common tools for sanding are the excellent random orbital sanders or the classic sanding blocks. Orbital sanders do the hard work very quickly, easily and also provide absolutely outstanding results, especially if you are evening out large ridges or extensive surfaces.
What grit belt is best for sharpening knives?
Sharpen Knives (Good Idea) To sharpen yours, start with a 150-grit belt. Slowly run one side of the blade across the belt a few times using light pressure (the sharp edge should point down at an acute angle to the belt). Next, sand the other side. Turn off the sander, swap in a 240-grit belt, and sharpen again.