Belt Grinders - A Buyer's Guide for Knife Makers

Thanks, Walter! I am not much of a knife maker but I refurbish older knives. Been thinking about a belt grinder, and had no idea where to start. Your video gave me some great answers, and also brought up some of the questions I hadn’t even thought of asking.

I think he is the best knife guy on the internet. Thanks

Walter I really enjoyed this video but I have a question. I am 71 yoa in a wheelchair and only have limited grip in my left hand, y can lay my right hand on one end of a file for balance and some control , I have a small a 1” belt sander and an 8” disc sander that my father had when I was a boy. Do you have any suggestions to help me in starting making knives. I just would like to make some for my brothers, nephews and nieces I don’t have any children.
Thanks
Randy Wallis

As a Brit, I just want to say how much I envy the US for having access to far superior engineering equipment. What is available in the UK is shite. You get the option of spending £10 on Chineseium or £10,000 on Unobtainium. Those are our options.

Thank you for being thorough and explaining everything for my newbie brain! Great video

U da best sir

Very good information, you are right about the get what you can afford. 2-4k for a sander is a bit steep for alot of us. When you can spend under 100-300 with very little modification and have something that'll work fine and last for years. Especially if you're doing it as a hobby. Thanks for the videos!

wow i learned a lot. thanks

Mr. Sorrells, so this may be a stupid question, but hey, never said I was smart. So thinking about getting into blacksmithing. It's something I have wanted to do since I was a kid. As part of my startup I am thinking about how not to go broke buying stuff lol. Saw a great video on a guy who bought an old used hydraulic log splitter and modified it to be a hammer press. Have designed my own forge (I am a mechanical designer so this is fun for me) Now I am looking at variations in grinding and thought, why are they all using 72" belt grinders, why can't a typical hand belt sander be used? Cheap, variable speed, all the sandpapers you could ever want, easily mounted in many configurations. The closest answer I could think of was allowing the paper cooling down time.

This method creates a lot of heat? I would be afraid to use this on a quality knife

You forgot a 2”x42” that’s a pretty common grinder and some good knife makers use them , I started out with harbor freight so a 2x42 buck tool was like a Cadillac for me lol

Hi Walter. Very happy I watched this because I was thinking I needed a variable speed grinder. I have a 6”x48” wood sander singe speed and it works fine for my woodworking. I’m setting up a small knife workshop to compliment my wood workshop. Just wondering what speed your grinder run at? Thanks

What type of Grinding Machine would you recommend for me?
I'm planing to switch from stone to belt grinding machine.
And I am sharpening curve knives for fighting roaster like in my picture profile.
Hope to hear from you soon.

I'm a beginner, and there is a belt sander or grinder on sale for 130$(regular price was 269.99) I'm going to buy it because I have nothing to grind with right now besides an angle grinder. I know its not ideal in terms of blade making but I can't afford to spend much more right now.

Fuck I Hate your Smug Voice!!

Was the Be all, End all line an Anthrax reference?

cool whip

“And that smaller grinder’s going to sit in the corner collecting dust”

Or in my case, have a hinge installed so it flips under the bench and keeps a leather strop installed so I can both finish knives by flipping it up, or keep the kitchen knives sharp like it does most of the time.

Thanks for the video , I just acquired a washing machine motor and I plan on making a belt sander , I was looking for what features are needed so that I don't forget and the belt sander you showcased was just the thing that helped me realized how to make it , it will have interchangable bit where it can have nothing , a large round wheel or a flat surface for different bevels.

In the UK They are called linishers. I use a oscillating bobbin sander to shape the handles and a wadkin pattern makers sander. And 24" disc sander by Wadkin. I use a onsrud router system to copy handle scales. To customise scales, from alternative materials. All machines are heavy cast iron.

I can't imagine someone who has the skills to make knives, but can't build a belt grinder. They're such simple machines.

You are the 007 of the knife making community (in more than one way)

Is this 110 or 220

vast majority use 2 x72!! vast majority buy belts on cost and buy their grinders on cost. 3 x 132 is a more standard size grinder with more power, standard belt size and folks - get this, even though a belt that is 1" wider and 60" longer will be an extra 2 bucks a belt the amount of belt you get us considerably less expensive. You need to buy the best abrasive belts as it is the actual work part. Oh and don't buy aluminum oxide- buy a zirconia or ceramic belt as they will be the fastest cutting longest life and in the case of the ceramic belt the coolest cutting.

Hi- I am looking for a solution to be able to make grooves on sword blades. Doing it manually by hand, always lands up in irregular grooves. So, what ca you suggest

I have a nice 3hp Leeson motor but it's from a table saw so it's 3450 rpm. Can this be used for a 2x72 sander ment for knife making? And are there kits or frames available that are meant for attaching your own motor like on some scroll saws? Any input or opinions would be appreciated.

Searching for first belt grinder to explore knife making, these are great tips and were perfect to help me guage my expectations vs the price!!

you have an amazing voice sir.

I really appreciate these videos you put out, they are a real library of knife making knowledge that I have been utilizing for years. I've really been stepping up my knife making the last year or two and a lot of these videos have both inspired and motivated me, thank you!

A real man would build his beltgrinder. It’s just common sense if you’re going to make knives you should easily be able to build your grinder

Is 200W a good power rating for a 1" ×30" belt grinder

Thank you, great video. I know you explained some about variable speed motors but is a VFD necessary? I'm just starting out as a hobby and I plan on building my own sander. Kinda confusing on most build videos I've watched. And how about the RPMs if no VFD is needed.

Very informative video! Thanks!

Thanks great video lots of real good information. 👍👍👍

So he does not have a vfd?

What name are you saying?
Mader?
Madder?
Mater?

00:3 yoda

Hi Walter, thanks for the video, can you or any of your subscribers let me know if 3"x79" belts will work better than the 2"x79" size for knives making? I can choose any of the sizes for my brand new belt grinder...

Cool whip... yes.. cool whip

Is anyone here using disc grinders? I've seen promo video's of Tormek where they use a T4 to grind bevels. I'm not concerned with speed of work, I'm more concerned with making a nice cutting bevel, while I can do the primary bevel with a jig and a file.

I will be getting my first belt grinder a 2x72 grinder from a maker in county mayo Ireland 🇮🇪

2 inches by 72 inches, Is there any particular reason why they are most used?

Any recommendation for a non VFD controlled machine single speed machine? 1700 rpm or 3600 rpm?

Great video! Also, you have a very Nick Offerman style cadence to your speech. Entertaining.

Whats your opinion on REEDER Grinders?

Thanks Walter! I feel like I have earned a bachelor's degree in knife-making simply by watching your extremely informative vids!

I’m still using a 1 by 30 belt grinder