motorcitykid
Well-known member
What would your recommendation be? Get a bench grinder and a belt sander or settle for a HF special? Keep searching?
Help a Brother out? I want a Bench Grinder, also need a belt sander. Wissota is what I'd love to find in a combo, but have not had any luck.
- Thread starter motorcitykid
- Start date
gizardlizard
Well-known member
I bought one of these from HF. No issues with it. Belt tracks true and the price was right. 
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motorcitykid
Well-known member
Well, I ended up grabbing this today. So it looks like I’m in need of a belt grinder.
nadogail
Well-known member
Looks like you bought a fine tool, good luck on finding a Belt Sander of equal quality.
Or slap one of these on one side.Well, I ended up grabbing this today. So it looks like I’m in need of a belt grinder.
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motorcitykid
Well-known member
Man, I’ve been watching everywhere in a 200mile radius for something that wouldn’t require a ton of work. I had a deal on one beautiful grinder that was a monster at a good price and it got broke when the seller tried moving it. I’ve seen a few of these but the sellers loved them more than I did, this one was an absolute blessing.
Now, what’s a good belt sander?
In no particular order:Man, I’ve been watching everywhere in a 200mile radius for something that wouldn’t require a ton of work. I had a deal on one beautiful grinder that was a monster at a good price and it got broke when the seller tried moving it. I’ve seen a few of these but the sellers loved them more than I did, this one was an absolute blessing.
Now, what’s a good belt sander?
1) Add a multi-tool to your grinder (see link above).
2) Find an old Burr King
3) Order a wheel kit and fab your own from one of the dozens of different popular plans floating around the web these days.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
I second this especially number three.
A 72” belt grinder with changeable plattens and wheels will do everything a regular belt and everything a bench grinder will do and more.
With a 2+hp 3 phase motor and a vfd for variable speed it will put that bench grinder to shame.
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motorcitykid
Well-known member
A Burr King 760 just sold for $150 a couple hours from me, it was gone before I could get to it. This is only 1/3hp, so I don't know that a 2x72 belt would work since everything I've read states that you'll want 1hp+. I did find a Wilton 2x72 that was awesome but it too was gone before I could make the trek, a 2x72 is definitely in the works. In time, but I'm in hopes that this will suffice until then for general use. After a couple hours I believe it will. Now to get it set up with various wheels and a small pedestal to raise it a bit. Man, I am excited about this.
Get a multitool for that grinder and you're set.
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motorcitykid
Well-known member
Think it would be big enough?
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motorcitykid
Well-known member
They recommend a 5amp 1hp for the multitool. I'm kind of leaning toward the Heretic H2 design down the road. Maybe a Christmas gift for myself...
Get a bigger one if you're worried.
Multitool 2" x 48" Belt Grinder Attachment
The Multitool 2x48 bench grinder attachment features a front contact wheel, top platen, underside slack belt area, and a 7-inch disc sander. Remove metal 5 times faster than with a stone wheel.
multitoolgrinders.com
This was my solution (not the 48" model) and I absolutely love that thing. I don't miss the grinding wheel at all. I mounted it vertically so I can grind against the platen and it works a trick. Being able to grind on one side and deburr on the other (wire wheel, cubitron wheel, etc.) is really nice.
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motorcitykid
Well-known member
I'm thinking this will be great for light duty basics, then get a 2x72 from either a kit or builder like the Ameribrade or Heretic. They are awesome machines, but this 3.1 amp would struggle with the multitool setup I think.Get a bigger one if you're worried.
Multitool 2" x 48" Belt Grinder Attachment
The Multitool 2x48 bench grinder attachment features a front contact wheel, top platen, underside slack belt area, and a 7-inch disc sander. Remove metal 5 times faster than with a stone wheel.
This was my solution (not the 48" model) and I absolutely love that thing. I don't miss the grinding wheel at all. I mounted it vertically so I can grind against the platen and it works a trick. Being able to grind on one side and deburr on the other (wire wheel, cubitron wheel, etc.) is really nice.
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motorcitykid
Well-known member
Belt grinders are another rabbit hole I'm all for jumping down.
That Baldor only draws 3.1 amps? Is it a 1/3 hp? Also, it's crazy that the machine they sell on the Multi-tool site is listed at 1 hp but the spec says 6 smps. Is this horsepower inflation with like with compressors? My 3/4 HP Dayton is rated at 8.2 amps.
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yhprum
Well-known member
Isn’t there some rule of thumb that says it’s best to have one horsepower for every inch of belt width?
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motorcitykid
Well-known member
Yes, this is the 1/3hp 3600rpm 6” little fella. I was amazed when I saw how little it was. Looking at the Baldor site they offer a 2x48 in the same 1/3 6” platform so it’s possible. I’m sure there are some sugar coated numbers when it comes to HP.
kyrbz
Well-known member
I have a 2”x 36” Multitool mounted on a Jet 8” 1hp grinder in my home shop and love it. Because I like it so much, I purchased 2 of the Multitool 4”x48” with Jet 1hp grinders for work. The jet grinders were completely inadequate for running the larger size Multitool. Replaced the Jet grinders with Linishall 1.5hp grinders which barely have enough power for the 4” Multitool. It literally takes like a minute for them to get to speed and sometimes you have to help it get started. Bottom line, you need a powerful grinder to run the 4” Multitool.
Hohn
Well-known member
I have personally been looking into these:Well, I ended up grabbing this today. So it looks like I’m in need of a belt grinder.
Multitool Grinders - Belt Grinders and Bench Grinder Attachments
The original Multitool grinder attachments are serious metalworking tools for professionals and hobbyists.
multitoolgrinders.com
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motorcitykid
Well-known member
I love the idea of a belt grinder, but I think that’s going to be a separate machine. The 1/3hp will be fine for the light duty grinding/buffing/debur/polish for now until I can figure out the build of a nice belt grinder.
Hohn
Well-known member
Well yes, as you'd expect a $1000+ motor and a $500 VFD to do...
Firebrick43
Well-known member
It’s a half of that. You can buy hood used 3ph TEFC name brand motors for dirt cheap on eBay. I have bought half a dozen over the years and if you watch for a week or two I have never paid over 250. I roll a new set of SKF or NTN bearings in them for insurance. If you wanted to buy new they are still well under 500$
For example. 425 dollar 3hp 3ph New Baldor motor
New 300 dollar vfd. A good name brand vfd.
www.wolfautomation.com
70$ for a screw cover box for the vfd.
Small box with start stop and rheostat on the side.
For example. 425 dollar 3hp 3ph New Baldor motor
Baldor-Reliance 62W14 3-HP TEFC 3-PH 230/460V FR 184TYZ 1760RPM Electric Motor | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Baldor-Reliance 62W14 3-HP TEFC 3-PH 230/460V FR 184TYZ 1760RPM Electric Motor at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
New 300 dollar vfd. A good name brand vfd.
VFD, 3hp, 230V, Single Phase Input, IP20, Medium D
VFD, 3hp, 230V, Single Phase Input, IP20, Medium Duty, Speed Potentiometer, Easy to Program, Compact, 150% Overload, V/F Control, Auto-Torque Boost or Sensorless Vector, 3 Phase Output
www.wolfautomation.com
70$ for a screw cover box for the vfd.
Hubbell Wiegmann SC181812 18x18x12" Screw Cover Pull Box w/Knockouts 786725846764 | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Hubbell Wiegmann SC181812 18x18x12" Screw Cover Pull Box w/Knockouts at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
Small box with start stop and rheostat on the side.
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motorcitykid
Well-known member
I believe both machines are worth owning, with their own strengths.
jabberwoki
Well-known member
You'll be so glad you didn't go the hf route.
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motorcitykid
Well-known member
I already am, this thing looks barely used inside.
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motorcitykid
Well-known member
How many amp?
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motorcitykid
Well-known member
I feel like that would be a stretch for this little guy. There’s so many amazing belt grinders out there, the Bader, the Heretic, the Ameribrade, The Wilton/Jet. I don’t do anything to justify the purchase outside of just wanting to find a reason to grab my neighbor and say wait til you see this ****. 
It seems to be the best at everything from hogging off metal to polishing, and it’s a less dangerous way of going about the same thing. I’ll have to pull out the “I’m doing it for the family” close.
It seems to be the best at everything from hogging off metal to polishing, and it’s a less dangerous way of going about the same thing. I’ll have to pull out the “I’m doing it for the family” close.
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motorcitykid
Well-known member
This little grinder is awesome. After getting a couple parts grabbed I think it may have been for the best that I started with this machine, anything bigger could’ve been an issue.
Catcher1984
Well-known member
They’re super dependable as well, and plenty powerful for regular use
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motorcitykid
Well-known member
This is the exact machine I wanted to find originally.You could look for a Delta/Rockwell/Kalamazoo combo.
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motorcitykid
Well-known member
I’m really appreciative of this little one, I’ve used it for several hours just messing around and it’s awesome. I plan to refresh it and get a pair of nice wheels and get it balanced. All in time, for the time being it’s awesome.
Catcher1984
Well-known member
I have the buffer version of this as well as a Kalamazoo 2fsm. I’ve been wanting to combine them and looks like I only need the drive wheel adapter to bell housing and tube spring. How do you like it ?You could look for a Delta/Rockwell/Kalamazoo combo.
I happy with it. I've grown to prefer sanding over grinding when given a choice.
I installed a MT grinder attachment on an older Baldor 1/2hp grinder and it was amazing. I had to modify mine to make it 2x42 (stock was 2x36). Due to its modest power it was not a tool that quickly hogged away tons of metal but it was great for deburring and chamfering edges.
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If I'm seeing this correctly, that's the slow speed version of that 7" Rockwell grinder (1725). If you combine that slow speed with the small diameter drive wheel on the Kalamazoo belt attachment you end up with a VERY slow belt speed. Ok for wood but not anywhere near fast enough to efficiently grind ferrous metals.You could look for a Delta/Rockwell/Kalamazoo combo.
If you are handy you might just make your own belt attachment. I've built at least 6 of them and they aren't difficult. Here's a very simple version I made a few years ago:
www.garagejournal.com
BMW-Style 1x42 Belt Sander
A few years ago I made a variable speed belt grinder for sharpening my knives, and lately I find that I also like it as a slack belt sander, so I decided to build one for use at work for de-burring and small tasks. I wanted it very simple, similar to my 2x42 Kalamazoo, with a telescoping arm...
www.garagejournal.com
