Bench Grinder or Belt Sander?

[adpostel]

Which do you guys find more useful in the garage, Disc Grinder, or Belt Sander? I'm a car guy, weekend warrior type of garage, along with house projects.....Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[gotmud13613]

My vote goes to the bench grinder (got 3 of them) I never had a need for a belt sander but someday I wouldn't mind having one.

first has fine & coarse stones
second one has fine & coarse wire wheels
third has Fine stone & fine wire wheel

 

[LoneGunman]

Bench grinder without a doubt. I have multiple grinders and belt sanders but the grinder with a wire wheels gets used daily, great for cleaning bolts and parts in general, great for minor deburring. My mine grinder has a medium wire wheel on one side and a fine stone on the other, my other grinder has a heavy wire wheel and a course stone.

 

[T56 Impala]

I have a grinder (Delta) and a disc/belt sander (Delta). For metals, the grinder is better. For wood and plastic (think household projects) the disc/belt sander is better.

Both units are small. Both are some what portable (can be put away when not in use). I know Jet makes a belt sander attachment for a bench grinder. IIRC it costs about as much as a separate unit though.

 

[Bolster]

Isn't there a tool that's half-way between, a Belt Grinder? I am eyeballing one of those. Seems like it would both sand and grind.

 

[LoneGunman]

Isn't there a tool that's half-way between, a Belt Grinder? I am eyeballing one of those. Seems like it would both sand and grind.

Damn that's a nice looking machine. I really need to finish my other projects, I think I could pretty easily build something like that.

 

[dwilliams35]

**** it up and stop being a weenie. buy at least one of each...

I'd say you may get more use out of a belt sander, but when you need a bench grinder, you need a bench grinder: the grinder might get you out of more holes.

 

[chad s]

I have one of these on a bench grinder. I love it. Great for cleaning up and even shaping metal brackets I make. I use it every day. I even sharpen pencils on it!

http://www.vansantent.com/multitool.htm

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Anyone use a multitool?

Here they are called a Blue Point multitool after Snap bought distributor rights (now expired?) but you used to see them on several of the shows (monster garage, two guys garage, etc).

 

[adpostel]

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_120478_120478

So I guess this would be a viable option then? And there arent many of them out there, I've checked Sears and HD and Lowes, any suggestions...

 

[cweagle]

A real benefit of a belt sander is on aluminum. You should never grind aluminum on a wheel - it loads up the stone's pores and, as it heats up, can expand and fracture - EXPLODE! - the wheel.

One other alternative for aluminum that I've not seen mentioned here is a scotchbrite wheel. It's better than a brass wire wheel for many things and lasts much longer than you might expect.

 

[nissan_crawler]

Both, IMHO. I have two 8" grinders, and a 4" belt sander. I'm looking out for a 1" sander, also.

 

[mickeyone]

My belt grinder is much better for knife sharpening Doesnt generate as much heat as stones.Been looking into that norton white stone its a good sharpening wheel. Have two Baldor grinders One has wire wheels {used alot} The other has coarse and fine stones I dont use this when I worry about wrecking the temper of something.The belt grinder is more of a finesse tool.Great selection of 2 x42 belts at Lee Valley tools.Get both They do differnt things.

 

[KenS]

While contemporary wisdom might indicate a bench grinder, unless you are doing a lot of wire-brushing, buffing and/or machine tool grinding, you'll find a good combo belt-disc sander/grinder much more useful.

Like mickeyone mentioned, a bench grinder requires a deft hand so as not to draw out the temper and ruin the blade of a chisel, knife, etc.

If you do spring for the bench grinder, do yourself a favor and get an 8-inch one with a gooseneck lamp. And while you're at it, get a brass wire wheel and a couple buffer pads along with compound for them.

 

[Brad54]

Anyone use a multitool?

Here they are called a Blue Point multitool after Snap bought distributor rights (now expired?) but you used to see them on several of the shows (monster garage, two guys garage, etc).

Yeah, I've got the vansant multitool on a Craftsman bench grinder. I had it before they came out with the wide one. I absolutely freakin' LOVE it! Seriously, one of the best, most versatile tools in my shop. I use it all the time. Grinding, shaping, sharpening, and I've also polished some stuff with it. I used it to put a mirror finish on a piece of 6-inch C-channel for a project. I just wanted to smooth off the rougher high-spots, and before I knew it, it was clear and mirror-like.

I highly recommend it. I have a stone on the other arbor, and then I also have a grinder with fine and medium wire wheels on it. Of the four arbors, I almost never use the stone. In fact, I'd be better served if I got rid of the stone all together an put a twisted course wire wheel on it, to de-burr steel angle and flat stock when I cut it with my chop saw.

-Brad

 

[IDASHO]

Ive got both.

But typically I use the grinder for fab work, and the sander to "tune up" tools like chisels and screwdrivers.

 

[russlaferrera]

Ive got both.

But typically I use the grinder for fab work, and the sander to "tune up" tools like chisels and screwdrivers.

X2 I use both. My Delta 1 X 42 belt sander is great for deburring metal cut off sand tool tune ups.

 

[jtrace]

I have a big ole Craftsman belt/disc sander combo 6" wide belt and 12" disc I use that alot for cleaning up welds and stuff like that I also have two bench grinders one has the multi-tool belt/disc sander on it I use that mostly for cleaning fishmouths on tubing. or to bevel an edge of tubing to weld together..
John

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Yeah, I've got the vansant multitool on a Craftsman bench grinder. I had it before they came out with the wide one. I absolutely freakin' LOVE it! Seriously, one of the best, most versatile tools in my shop. I use it all the time. Grinding, shaping, sharpening, and I've also polished some stuff with it. I used it to put a mirror finish on a piece of 6-inch C-channel for a project. I just wanted to smooth off the rougher high-spots, and before I knew it, it was clear and mirror-like.


-Brad

I haven't mounted mine yet (got some time ago, just lack of time). I was planning on putting a wire wheel on the other side.
Where do you get your belts? Do you have a local place?

 

[ZRX61]

I have 3 bench grinders & 2 belt sanders, I can't live without any of them...

 

[nissan_crawler]

Where do you get your belts?

I get mine from enco. I'm sure I could get them local, but I prefer to buy them online rather than spend 2 hours going out and dealing with the general public.

 

[rhandwor]

I use a bench grinder the most. I use an angle grinder for grinding weld or grinding off corroded nuts. It really depends on what you want to do with them.

 

[beelsr]

both! each have their places and uses...

I have a couple grinders, one with a gear-reducer that spins a whetstone for sharpening. Another with a belt-sander.

i also have a stand-mounted belt-disc sander for the big stuff.

oh, and a small belt-sander air sander - very handy to do stuff without taking it off the car - specialized work needed to justify this one...

and here's a tip about grinding. most people grind to hard and too long and wait until the metal changes color. by that time, the temper is long gone. to prevent this: keep a cup of water nearby and dip the part in water. it will bead and pool up somewhere on the part. start grinding. when the water evaporates, immediately stop grinding and re-dip into the water. lather, rinse, repeat until done.

 

[W-Cummins]

<style></style>Belt grinders are the way to go. I have 3 bench grinders 14", 10", and a little 6" I use only for grinding tig electrodes. I also have 4 belt machines ( Burrking models 960 vs, 960-4, 760, and a Powermatic belt/disk machine) After purchasing the Belt grinders, I have not run either of the larger bench grinders. If I had to choose one I would pick the Burrking 960 VS as my one machine. With the VFD drive on it you can do stunning work.

William...

 

[Thedroid]

check this one out

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[Thedroid]

Here's part two. I've always thought these where bad boys.

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[TejasBimmer]

Damn that KMG Belt grinder is the BOMB!

 

[Thedroid]

Thats what I'm saying. My jaw was dropped the first time I watched that video

 

[35mastr]

I also have both,But use the disc belt sander combo more. I just have the combo Ryobi from HD and it works well. I just nmade a larger table for the belt sander in the uprite position.

Bench grinder now only used to sharpen tungsten and for wire wheel use also.

 

[Garage_Mahal]

What is the abrasive on those belt grinders? It's tough.

 

[mjb]

I have the KMG with a VFD and it does everything I need.

The ability to quickly change out the tool arm saves a ton of time. The small wheel attachment makes it even faster to switch out wheels.

I have it set up to square up a bunch of inch and a half tubing.

Got to have belts.

Last shot of the stand it is on.

 

[strnge]

I have a bench grinder, but thanks to you guys I am going to have to have both now! That this is bad ***!!!!!!!!!!

 

[HandyManny]

I have a Delta Bench Grinder, myself, but have been looking into getting a belt sander as well. I love the grinder, it comes in handy for a wide variety of things.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Both are handy and have many uses, with each machine outdoing the other at something. With all that said, if I had to choose only one the grinder would be my pick, but then I do not know what you need to smooth down, or what your projects are. Without knowing the intended usage this could be a rough question to properly answer.

 

[mrpowderkeg]

I have two bench grinders, an old delta (1980) that has to be the smoothest bench grinder I have used, and a newer delta that is a POS, but has a wire wheel. I just purchased a generic delta belt sander, it sure has come in handy when making things flat, or getting contours correct for headers and such.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

MJB What did that KMG Cost you?

 

[TejasBimmer]

Like I said...that KMG is the BOMB...but for what I need, I will make due with a combo unit like the one below....I figure the 1-hp version will do what I need.

Multi Tool grinder - click here.

 

[mjb]

MJB What did that KMG Cost you?

I bought it a few years ago for $1600 and that was for the motor, VFD, grinder body, 10" wheel and platen. I added the MAP arm and other tooling later.

Like I said...that KMG is the BOMB...but for what I need, I will make due with a combo unit like the one below....I figure the 1-hp version will do what I need.

Multi Tool grinder - click here.

That looks pretty handy. Food for thought, I have a 2hp motor and I can bog it down. In hindsight, I should have went with a 3hp.

 

[rsanter]

start with the grinder and then go for the belt sander

bob

 

[TejasBimmer]

I bought it a few years ago for $1600 and that was for the motor, VFD, grinder body, 10" wheel and platen. I added the MAP arm and other tooling later.

That looks pretty handy. Food for thought, I have a 2hp motor and I can bog it down. In hindsight, I should have went with a 3hp.

Not sure I would need a 3-hp version...most of my sanding would be for wood and very little metal (sharpening tools...).