Bench Grinder with belt grinder?

[VoodooCLD]

I'm looking for a new bench grinder with a a 7" or 8" wheel on one side, and a 2x48 or something similar on the other side. I'll probably buy one new as i haven't seen much pop up in the last few months on craigslist. I'll be using it for general shop use. I want the extra wheel on the side so i can mount a wire wheel, buffing wheel, or grinding wheel when needed. I'm going for maximum usage without having to buy multiple tools or take up much space.

Does anyone have any experience with any of these units?

Kalamazoo 2sk7
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005P0BCES/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Dayton 3nya7
http://www.zoro.com/g/Combo Belt & Bench Grinder/00047860/

The kalamazoo has a USA made motor on it, but it's only 1/2 hp.
The Dayton is cheaper, made in taiwan, but has 3/4 hp motor.

Or are there any other brands i'm missing for around that price point?
The vertical belt is a must, as i'm looking for space saving options.
I'm not really interested in buying a grinder and putting an attachment on it, as i want it engineered to work from the factory.

 

[MFolks]

http://www.grizzly.com/search?q=belt+sander+grinder+combo

 

[VoodooCLD]

I forgot to mention them. The only one i see is this G1015. Which has the long shaft for a buffer. I like the long shaft, but really would like to have a guard for when i use a wire wheel or grinding stone.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/Knife-Belt-Sander-Buffer/G1015

 

[jakemac]

Read this thread about building the "BlockMeister". You may want to build your own.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=277798

 

[LXCam]

Belt grinder any day of the week. I've got a big bench and two 6x48 with 12" disc and my 2x60 belt gets used 99.9% of the time. Matter of fact I haven't fired off my bench since getting the belt and the only time I use the 6/48 is with a scotch bright belt for parts finish or the disc for trueing up tubing for exhaust and intakes.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Where are you? I'm selling a Burr King 760...

 

[LXCam]

You're gonna sell a burrking, you'd have to pry mine out of my cold dead fingers

 

[LXCam]

Scotch brite belt? Ooooh I'll have to look into that...

Ya wait till you see what they charge

But it's the ultimate for getting aluminum ready to polish or doing a brush finish.

 

[VoodooCLD]

Im in oklahoma, so too far away. I'm really more interested in the style i posted above. I used to have a wilton square 2 x 72 grinder. It was way to large for what i used it for. I don't really need the extra surace area the 72" belt provides. I'd rather have the all in one unit with the 7" wheel that can strip paint, grind metal, polish etc.. I also want a quality unit. But as all these are in the $500 range, i bet their quality is good enough to last me a lifetime with the limited use it will see.

I'm also not looking to build my own. I don't want the headache of having to piece anything together. I know i will use it to its full potential, so i'm not worried about spending the money for what i need.

 

[LXCam]

These things are like anything else, it's all about horsepower. Between the three listed, I'd go with the Grizzly unit since it's a 1HP verses 1/2 and 3/4. My Burr King was 1,800 on sale and they tossed in a ton of belts to try out which was more of a blessing then I knew at the time. Belt selection is everything. I've tried cheapish belts and found that it's worth every dime to buy top dollar belts, they'll last so much longer it pays for it's self in nothing flat.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

You're gonna sell a burrking, you'd have to pry mine out of my cold dead fingers

Yea...I have 4...plus a Belsaw Foley. I think I decided two burr kings with different belts, plus the Belsaw with a polish belt, plus the Delta Rockwell 6x48, plus the HF 12" disc, oughtta cover it.

 

[exmaxima1]

http://www.trick-tools.com/Multitoo...der_Bundle_MT482_100_Bundle_4312#.VPF4wye9KSM

 

[LG63]

I almost bought the Dayton on the last Zoro 30% sale but got cold feet when I read some reviews on similar Jet/Grizzly units. If the motor ever gives up, it's basically scrap since the cost to repair exceeds the cost of a new unit. Granted a motor failure seems unlikely but not something I was willing to risk on this size purchase.

I'm now looking at belt sanders (no wheel) that use standard nema motors.

 

[exmaxima1]

I'm now looking at belt sanders (no wheel) that use standard nema motors.

I have a real nice Kalamazoo 2x48 with the 1hp motor upgrade. Weighs about 50 lbs, but definitely shippable. PM me if interested.

 

[MotoDave]

http://www.trick-tools.com/Multitoo...der_Bundle_MT482_100_Bundle_4312#.VPF4wye9KSM

Ive got one of these (actually the 2x36 version) and it is great, highly recommended. You can also get it separate from the grinder if you already have one.

 

[LG63]

I have a real nice Kalamazoo 2x48 with the 1hp motor upgrade. Weighs about 50 lbs, but definitely shippable. PM me if interested.

Thanks. I've drifted away from the 2" idea as I want something that can handle 2" square tube mitered on a 45. If I could find a used Kalamazoo 4 x 36 I'd jump on it but those seem nonexistent in the used market. I really prefer the larger tables on the 6 x 48 / disc combos but don't have the floor space. Thinking I might be able to build a larger table for a 4 x 36. Suffering from both mission creep and analysis paralysis.

 

[PeterT]

I just bought the 2x48 Kalamazoo belt sander, it isn't the combo - just sander.
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=505-1370

Paid $368 + FS using one of the regular coupons they offer.

So far so good, sharpening blades it is 100 times better than using my grinder.

 

[VoodooCLD]

Ive got one of these (actually the 2x36 version) and it is great, highly recommended. You can also get it separate from the grinder if you already have one.

Can you mount that unit in a vertical way? or does it have to be mounted sticking out front like that? I want it to go vertical to save space.

 

[VoodooCLD]

I almost bought the Dayton on the last Zoro 30% sale but got cold feet when I read some reviews on similar Jet/Grizzly units. If the motor ever gives up, it's basically scrap since the cost to repair exceeds the cost of a new unit. Granted a motor failure seems unlikely but not something I was willing to risk on this size purchase.

I'm now looking at belt sanders (no wheel) that use standard nema motors.

I'd probably go ahead and order that unit now if i could get the 30% off zoro deal. I like that it has the dust collection ports and the 3/4 hp motor. I don't like having to clean up metal dust all over everything, especially since i work in tight spaces with everything really close.

I'm currently using a 1/3 hp chinese motor and i have abused the absolute piss out of it. It still works, i'm just ready for an upgrade. I'm not too worried about the lifespan, as i'll probably only use it once a week for a little thing here or there. Occasionally running it for a while to strip paint off something.

 

[LG63]

I'd probably go ahead and order that unit now if i could get the 30% off zoro deal. I like that it has the dust collection ports and the 3/4 hp motor. I don't like having to clean up metal dust all over everything, especially since i work in tight spaces with everything really close.

I'm currently using a 1/3 hp chinese motor and i have abused the absolute piss out of it. It still works, i'm just ready for an upgrade. I'm not too worried about the lifespan, as i'll probably only use it once a week for a little thing here or there. Occasionally running it for a while to strip paint off something.

You may have to wait until black Friday for 30% but 25% comes along every couple months.

 

[Hammer1963]

The Multitool is a very nice quality Australian item. I have 3 units. Two 2" x 36"and one 4" x 48". The smaller units use 1/3 and 1/2 HP Wissota grinders and the larger is mounted on a 3/4" HP Jet. The versatility of the belt grinders is fantastic. Grinding belts, Scotchbrite belts and buffing belts cover most every need I've ran into. The disk grinding option makes it even more versatile.

 

[Nele]

Burrking is the king!

 

[Strouty]

Burrking is the king!

Also the most expensive!

I have used a kalamazoo and they are pretty decent, I own a baldor and it makes the kalamazoo look like a toy. If you need it right now you may have to pay through the nose or buy new. I searched for a while and actually fell into mine, another member was looking at one and thought the price was too high. I stepped in after he bowed out and I am glad I bought it. The funny part was a few days before that I had bought another belt sander, thinking I would never own a baldor grinder/sander combo. I agree that the belt is much better in almost every way than the grinder. It is far more useful than most people think, but the second that they see one in action they are in awe.

 

[VoodooCLD]

Also the most expensive!

I have used a kalamazoo and they are pretty decent, I own a baldor and it makes the kalamazoo look like a toy. If you need it right now you may have to pay through the nose or buy new. I searched for a while and actually fell into mine, another member was looking at one and thought the price was too high. I stepped in after he bowed out and I am glad I bought it. The funny part was a few days before that I had bought another belt sander, thinking I would never own a baldor grinder/sander combo. I agree that the belt is much better in almost every way than the grinder. It is far more useful than most people think, but the second that they see one in action they are in awe.

I thought the kalamazoo's came with baldor motors? Is that incorrect? What is so much better about the baldor?

 

[babylou]

I've got a Balder version with a sanding belt and disc on one end and a wire brush on the other. The sanding system is Australian with the balance American.

 

[Packard V8]

The Multitool is a very nice quality Australian item.

Your opinions and results may vary, and maybe the factory units are great.

However, Multitool also makes a universal 2" unit. The one I used was mounted on a Jet grinder and was a real disappointment. It wouldn't stay aligned, ate belts like popcorn and no one in the shop liked using it. It was basically $200 and time wasted.

It's marketed out of OZ, but from the crappy soft hardware which comes with it, I'd bet it's actually of Chicom manufacture.

jack vines

 

[Strouty]

I thought the kalamazoo's came with baldor motors? Is that incorrect? What is so much better about the baldor?

Mine is ten times the quality as the kalamazoo, not sure if the newest ones are like this as well.

 

[LG63]

I thought the kalamazoo's came with baldor motors? Is that incorrect? What is so much better about the baldor?

Kalamazoo uses a Baldor motor but the rest is built by them. Baldor actually builds complete belt grinders (check their website) that have beefier belt drive components and it's reflected in the price.

I guess it depends on your usage but a belt grinder without a table (Multitool) wouldn't work for me.

 

[PeterT]

Mine is ten times the quality as the kalamazoo, not sure if the newest ones are like this as well.

Yeah, I would have bought the Baldor, but it was like $1400 vs $368 for a smaller similar Kalamazoo. Maybe if my business gets going I will pull the trigger on that Baldor.

 

[Strouty]

The kalamazoo will work fine, it just won't hold up as long as the baldor will.

 

[exmaxima1]

Mine is ten times the quality as the kalamazoo, not sure if the newest ones are like this as well.

I have both the Kalamazoo 2x48 (with 1hp motor) and the Baldor 2x48 (1.5hp w/VFD). The Baldor is smoother and arguably faster to change belts, yet the Kaly is no slouch for power or usefulness. I would say the Baldor may be 2-3 times better, but certainly not TEN times.....

 

[Trey T]

Anyone know if there's such belt sanding attachment for the Craftsman block grinder?

 

[Strouty]

I have both the Kalamazoo 2x48 (with 1hp motor) and the Baldor 2x48 (1.5hp w/VFD). The Baldor is smoother and arguably faster to change belts, yet the Kaly is no slouch for power or usefulness. I would say the Baldor may be 2-3 times better, but certainly not TEN times.....

So I embellished a little.

Anyone know if there's such belt sanding attachment for the Craftsman block grinder?

Yes, there are some on the forum, I will see if I can find a link.

 

[Strouty]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=274020

 

[Trey T]

Thanks. That will be my quest for the year, find a 3/4hp Craftsman "round top" block grinder. I think I lost a CL-find (3/4hp model) to a member here just couple hrs and it was under $100 w/ original Craftsman pedestal.

 

[VoodooCLD]

Kalamazoo uses a Baldor motor but the rest is built by them. Baldor actually builds complete belt grinders (check their website) that have beefier belt drive components and it's reflected in the price.

I guess it depends on your usage but a belt grinder without a table (Multitool) wouldn't work for me.

I agree, the table is a must have. One of the reasons why i stated i wanted to buy one, and not try and hack something together that will still be inferior to a properly designed unit.

 

[VoodooCLD]

Mine is ten times the quality as the kalamazoo, not sure if the newest ones are like this as well.

Very nice! That would be ideal, but i have to be realistic about my needs. That thing is overkill for a shop running 40 hour weeks. Just wondering if i should go with the delta, or pony up more for the kalamazoo. Unless one of those baldor 3 phase units wants to fall into my lap. Then i'd happily buy a VFD and be rockin.