Harbor Freight Grinder

[Toddzio]

I was in HF today, and saw this grinder for 40 bucks. I was on there website today and found it for 29.99- is this a case where you get what you pay for, or would this thing be useful for a newbie? Only thing I noticed is that you cannot get to one of the wheels for grinding inside edges of the bolsters etc... like they do in the books I am reading.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=2485

[Ray Rogers]

Useful? Sure, most any tool can be useful and many of us have those little grinders. But, they run very fast, don't have much power, are designed for working wood, and getting a good range of belts for them can sometimes be a problem and/or expensive. Personally, I'd save my money for a Grizzly grinder (assuming you're not ready to spring for a KMG) but it's only $30. You probably won't get an education much cheaper than that ...

[Hukk]

I am a newbie also and have a Harbor Freight nearby. I have purchased some items from them and the 6 inch Buffer (3600 RPM and hazardous) is retired and replaced with 10 inch 1725 RPM 1 Hp Industrial Jet that runs great and SMOOOOOTH for $170 on sale. The 6 inch grinder is not of much use except for a wire wheel. I bought a red metal cutting bandsaw that many have sworn at, I set mine up and have had no problems, luck of the draw. I only use bi-metal blades, Starret I think. I have purchased a Bader 220v with DC variable speed control, which I have come to believe is a must have, the DC variable control.

I have not found much to like in Harbor Freight, my metal cutting bandsaw cursed by so many seems to run just fine for last year, though I found some extra drive belts to keep on hand. I now use Harbour Freight for leather gloves and latex or Nitrile gloves and that's about it.

I have Grizzly tools also, a bench grinder and a wood cutting bandsaw also. Basically, be careful with what you buy and I would follow Ray's advice. I would buy the Grizzly.

[Doug Lester]

My estimate is that it would probably be a step or two up from hand files. There are people around who do use Grizzlys, J. Neilson (sorry J. if I just misspelled your name) is the only knifesmith who's work I've handled got his JS stamp using them. You might want to look at Coote grinders. They cost just about as much as a Grizzly with a 10" contact wheel but don't have a motor or drive pullies or drive belt. However, it's much more flexable than the Grizzly. I've already got the motor and I'm trying to get a little set back so that I can get a Coote.

Doug Lester

[NJStricker]

The little 1x30 would be okay for shaping handle slabs, but you would be hard pressed to make a knife on one. The belts will wear out quickly, and will also heat up your blade. I'm running a Craftsman 2x42 now, and have to watch the heat so that I don't burn up the steel. Like Doug, I'm saving up my pennies for a Coote. . .

[AcridSaint]

Hi Doug, I think Jon is using a Coote, not a Griz. I agree with the other folks here about the sander, it's not going to be bad to have around, but it might not be what you think in terms of a grinder. Personally, I'd spend 40 bucks on some nice files if it's for blade shaping. If it's for all-around shop work, it's not going to be too bad a tool.

[ranger1]

I would think not a bad little grinder for handle shapeing and light duty work.As far as shapeing blades I'll agree with Cap,"invest in some good files.".
The grinder debate has been discussed many times here.This is the one issue I stick to my guns on.Bader BIII or KMG.You can start with a Coote or a GrizzlyOr even a Kalamazoo.Even then you will probably want to move up to the Bader or KMG.after a short while.I saved scrounged and bartered until I had the bucks together for my Bader BIII.and even then turning loose of the cash was really hard.Finally I did and I have never regreted it.I also have a box of cheap grinders with burn't up motors and grinding bearings.On the other hand I still have and use my Kalamazoo mainly for handle and guard work.But its still running strong.
OK I'm babbling,My main point is weather you forge or use lost metal process your grinder will be one of the most used tools in your shop.I still use the files I had when I bought alot of the BOX inventory that nolonger serves me.
My recomendation buy the best you can afford.If not your only cheating yourself.

[pipecrafter]

WARNING!!!

That particular grinder/sander isn't worth the $30 it would cost you. I bought one a few years ago to use as a small sander for pipe stems, and quickly found it wasn't up to the task of shaping vulcanite and acrylic - never mind wood or metal. Even slight pressure will stop the belt cold. It is *significantly* underpowered, has horrible tracking, and quality 1x30 belts are pretty scarce. I think McMaster-Carr carries them, but I don't know.

Also, it quit working after a grand total of about 75 power cycles. And those were *very* light duty cycles where I was only using it to chamfer the end of a delrin tenon or take the burr off of a brass tube after cutting. The motor simply gave out. I was hopeful and wired in a new switch, but no dice.

I do not recommend that sander to anyone. Do yourself a favor, and save your bucks for a decent 1x42 if you're looking for a 1" belt grinder. I have a Delta 1x42 that also has a disc grinder on the side, which is useful for making things square and flat. I think I paid $100 for mine on sale a couple years ago. It's a good performer when grinding metal if you use zirconia-alumina belts. I have a couple modified platens that I made up that give me some flexibility, and you can do slack-belt sanding with a little creative thought.

That said, I'll echo the thoughts of other here and say that nothing beats a good 2x72 grinder. If you can't afford a KMG or Bader, you can always build one. There's plenty of plans out there, and Wayne Goddard goes into detail about home built grinders in his $50 Knife Shop book. I highly recommend reading that if you're looking at building one.

[NJStricker]

Toddzio, where are you located? If you are near me (Ohio) I have an extra Craftsman 1x42 that I might part with.

Nathan

[Toddzio]

Phoenix AZ, but thanks for the offer!
Christmas is coming guess I will wait.