Help me pick a belt grinder

[Mike007]

I have a cheapy 1" Delta bench top belt sander in my shop. It's a real POS, but I find myself using it a lot. Ive been looking for a used machine to replace it for a while now with no luck. Ive decide to bite the bullet and buy a new machine in the $1K+/- range. I'm considering these 2, I think either will suit my needs and will be a big improvement over what I have now. The Kalamazoo's belt is bigger and 2" wider, but I don't think that will make much of a difference for my intended use. The Baldor is rated a 1/2 HP higher, I'm leaning that way.

http://www.kalamazooind.com/products/belt-sanders/s460d-belt-sander/

http://www.mile-x.com/baldor-2048-151d-belt-sander.aspx

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

I would lean towards the Kalamazoo. More power is nice but a longer belt is more important IMO if you'll be using it primarily for grinding, a longer belt has more area to dissipate the heat so you can work faster.

Have you looked at a Burr King?

 

[Steevo]

If you are going to spend that kind of money, go for a belt/disc unit like one of these:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/JET-BeltDisc-Sander-3WRP6?Pid=search

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000CCXTG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have an older Dayton version of the Delta one, and it is a beast. I picked mine up used through CraigsList.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

you don't see them all the time, but I found this at a flea market, less motor , table and belt guard.

There was a thread a while back.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=101024&highlight=sander+tony

heres a link from that thread might be a less $$ option
http://www.vansantent.com/multitool.htm

 

[Machobuck]

radius master...edit...Whats your intended use?

 

[Mike007]

Have you looked at a Burr King?

I'd love to own a Burr King, but they are BIGGGG bucks. I can't justify $2K for one.

 

[Mike007]

If you are going to spend that kind of money, go for a belt/disc unit like one of these:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/JET-BeltDisc-Sander-3WRP6?Pid=search

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000CCXTG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have an older Dayton version of the Delta one, and it is a beast. I picked mine up used through CraigsList.

Ive looked at the 2 machines you linked to. My issue with them is, I need a bench top machine due to space constraints, and they are not US made. Ive been watching Craigslist and Ebay for a long time. Seems the older US made machines don't go on the market too often.

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

I'd love to own a Burr King, but they are BIGGGG bucks. I can't justify $2K for one.

You might want to check out the Practical Machinist forum, If you're not opposed to buying used you should be able to find one within your budget, I know I've seen a few move through their classifieds and there are a few dealers on the forum who deal in used tools and might be able to give you a lead on one.

I guess it also depends on how soon you want to find one, I have no issues looking for a year or two for the right deal but I know not everyone is so patient.

 

[Mike007]

You might want to check out the Practical Machinist forum, If you're not opposed to buying used you should be able to find one within your budget, I know I've seen a few move through their classifieds and there are a few dealers on the forum who deal in used tools and might be able to give you a lead on one.

I guess it also depends on how soon you want to find one, I have no issues looking for a year or two for the right deal but I know not everyone is so patient.

Hey! I'm patient! Ive been looking for over a year!

Thanks for the head up on the PM forum. I'll check it out.

 

[Steevo]

Ive looked at the 2 machines you linked to. My issue with them is, I need a bench top machine due to space constraints, and they are not US made. Ive been watching Craigslist and Ebay for a long time. Seems the older US made machines don't go on the market too often.

Yeah, unfortunately, the current ones are imported, unlike the one I ended up with, which is serious steel, and all USA made.
Good luck with your search.

 

[Fueler]

I can recommend the Wilton Square belt sander. I have one that I have heavily used for various things for the last 20+ years. Did replace the on/off switch once. I do think I saw where they got bought out so I am not sure what name is on them these days. Believe I saw Jet had a clone.

Grabbed a pic from Google.
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=wilt...tart=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0&tx=79&ty=50

 

[RobRace10]

If you are going to spend that kind of money, go for a belt/disc unit like one of these:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/JET-BeltDisc-Sander-3WRP6?Pid=search

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000CCXTG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have an older Dayton version of the Delta one, and it is a beast. I picked mine up used through CraigsList.

Both of those machines are belt sanders, If I was going to buy a belt grinder, I would look at Burr King, they dominate the industrial market for belt grinders. The old Wilton Sq Wheel is also good and has some nice versatility, but I would not buy one for personal reasons.

 

[Mike007]

Both of those machines are belt sanders, If I was going to buy a belt grinder, I would look at Burr King, they dominate the industrial market for belt grinders. The old Wilton Sq Wheel is also good and has some nice versatility, but I would not buy one for personal reasons.

I'd love to buy this Burr King. It's over $2K. I'm sure it's worth it. Burr King is the Ferrari of belt grinders. I just can't justify buying a Ferrari.

 

[ert01]

I've been looking at the van sant multitool for a while now but I'm curious if anyone knows where I can get replacement belts in Canada? I'd rather not have to order from the us whenever I need another belt and it seems 2x36 is an odd size to find here. (or maybe I'm looking in the wrong places?)

 

[exmaxima1]

I've been looking at the van sant multitool for a while now but I'm curious if anyone knows where I can get replacement belts in Canada? I'd rather not have to order from the us whenever I need another belt and it seems 2x36 is an odd size to find here. (or maybe I'm looking in the wrong places?)

For that very reason I converted my Multitool to use 2x42 belts which are much more common. It took a bit of machining, but that's a great tool.

 

[exmaxima1]

The Baldor is rated a 1/2 HP higher, I'm leaning that way.

http://www.mile-x.com/baldor-2048-151d-belt-sander.aspx

I have the same Baldor you noted as well as several other 2" wide types that I use almost daily. The Baldor is very smooth and very powerful, but I feel the belt has limited access. I like open-access models such as the Multitools like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-HP-JET-8-...021?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c1e4de665

Plus, it is nice to be able to push against the rubber wheel to support the belt instead of a metal backer or relying on the tension of the belt.

I like my homemade grinder the best, using a 10" rubber wheel (from Grizzly) on an old 10" grinder. There are some really nice custom grinders available for well under $1K that have great features like variable speed and very long belts. Here's a good one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Belt-grinde...9?pt=Sanders_Sandblasters&hash=item256846fa99

 

[ert01]

For that very reason I converted my Multitool to use 2x42 belts which are much more common. It took a bit of machining, but that's a great tool.

Would it be easier to convert the 2x36 or the 2x48 to a 2x42 in your opinion?

 

[W-Cummins]

I'd love to buy this Burr King. It's over $2K. I'm sure it's worth it. Burr King is the Ferrari of belt grinders. I just can't justify buying a Ferrari.

They are way over 2k new, more like almost $3k for a 2hp single phase model 960-400 like in you picture. They are out there used though, I picked up mine off e-bay for under $600 and it's in VERY nice condition.
It came with a metal table that the seller had it attached to, but I left it behind to make it more cost effective to ship. So I had to make the stand, the other model 760 I purchased came with the Burr King stand.

I'm not sure it was used much at all before I got it. It came from the Boston area and with shipping it was still WAY under your $1k price point. This machine is a BEAST it shreds metal! With a 36 grit ceramic belt on it, when I leaned into the 1" thick plate I was cleaning up the edges on, it spit out molten metal/sparks that clumped together into an almost sintered iron mass on the floor!

William....

 

[exmaxima1]

Would it be easier to convert the 2x36 or the 2x48 to a 2x42 in your opinion?

Not sure what you mean---no need to convert a 2x48 to anything as it is a standard belt size and easy to get. If you have the opportunity to get a 2x48 Multitool at a good price, grab it!

Converting a 2x36 to 2x42 required a new milled adapter hub that mounts to the motor/grinder. I don't think it would an easy job without a lathe or mill.

Multitools are awesome!

 

[exmaxima1]

I'd love to buy this Burr King. It's over $2K. I'm sure it's worth it. Burr King is the Ferrari of belt grinders. I just can't justify buying a Ferrari.

If you would consider a used machine, don't overlook a 3-phase model. They often sell very cheap (I bought the Baldor for less than $50). Add a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) for $150 and you can run it on single phase AND have variable speed!

 

[Amitygravel]

Mike007
Check out HGR industrial supply. They sell used equipment.
www.hgrinc.com
A buddy of mine picked up a Wilton square wheel for around 400 bucks plus shipping.
Their inventory is always changing.

If you can score a BurrKing you will never regret it.
Good luck !

Craig

 

[Hammer1963]

Multitool belt grinders are really hard to beat for the cost. I have both the 2" x 36" and the 4" x 48". I use a 1/2 HP Jet grinder for the 2" and a 1 HP Craftsman for the 4" . I use both on a daily basis. It is true that belts are not a walk into the Hardware store item, But they canbe found with an online search with no problem. Ebay is a good source for the belts. Just takes a little digging.

I have a GJ post on the Multitool, just go to my info page and it should be their. I ope this helps you make your decision. These are great tools, you won't be dissapointed.

 

[Defender Chassis]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380073325967?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/400245033523?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

These are supposed to be made in USA but I suspect that the castings are made in Mexico. I know you want a bench top but I thought others might want to know about another USA made option.

 

[Mmfh]

Too bad your not around here. I see shop built tool once in awhile that look to be very well built long life and very useful machines.

Don't discount used and shop built if you want something that works good for a very good price.

http://www.airhydraulics.com/HydraulicPresses/HydraulicPress.htm

Mm

 

[rbannon]

http://www.beaumontmetalworks.com

These seem to have a following. I have seen diy clones and plans on the web.

 

[mtnkrake]

For everybody with the Multitool grinder in 2x36 looking for belts just buy 4x36 belts and cut them in half. 4x 36 are real common.

 

[Mike007]

Hmmmm......JMR.....

http://www.jmrmfg.com/store/JMR-Belt-Sander-Grinder/

 

[Mike007]

If anyone is interested, I came to a decision. I was making some brackets Thursday night. I was using my cheapy 1" Delta and decided it was time to make a move. Ive been looking used for over a year now. How much time am I going to invest in finding a used machine? I run a small business and time is valuable to me. So I ordered the Baldor Friday morning. I know there are nicer machines out there, but not for $1100 with shipping for a new US made machine. Saturday morning it was already at my local trucking terminal and I picked it up this morning. So far I'm really happy with it. It's a huge improvement over my old machine.

 

[BC iron works]

i like my grizzly

 

[Hammer1963]

If anyone is interested, I came to a decision. I was making some brackets Thursday night. I was using my cheapy 1" Delta and decided it was time to make a move. Ive been looking used for over a year now. How much time am I going to invest in finding a used machine? I run a small business and time is valuable to me. So I ordered the Baldor Friday morning. I know there are nicer machines out there, but not for $1100 with shipping for a new US made machine. Saturday morning it was already at my local trucking terminal and I picked it up this morning. So far I'm really happy with it. It's a huge improvement over my old machine.

Nice choice on the sander/grinder. What type of material are you removing with the sander

 

[Mike007]

Nice choice on the sander/grinder. What type of material are you removing with the sander

Thanks. Steel.

 

[jlenander]

For that very reason I converted my Multitool to use 2x42 belts which are much more common. It took a bit of machining, but that's a great tool.

Exmaxima1, I am interested in your modification. Could you give me some idea of how you did it? Photos would be great!

Thanks, Jon

 

[exmaxima1]

Exmaxima1, I am interested in your modification. Could you give me some idea of how you did it? Photos would be great!

Thanks, Jon

Here's some pics that show how I adapted it. There's a few extra holes in the mounting plate as I originally built the grinder using a standard C-face motor for power. I later installed it to a Baldor grinder as it was higher speed (3450 vs 1720).

The mounting plate is sandwiched between 2 discs that attach to the motor. I can loosen them to rotate the grinder into any position. Works very well, very smooth and very quiet.

 

[exmaxima1]

i like my grizzly

I had one of those for awhile but it was a ***** to stabilize the tracking.

Any issues with yours?

 

[NickWheeler]

I think my needs put me in an end of the market you're not really needing to be in... but if you want advice on a belt GRINDER... just ask some knife makers

And while I think Burr King is the Cadillac... I have owned a 960 variable speed knife maker's model for 15 years... KMG (linked above- Beaumont Metal Works) is the tank... and the new TW-90 by Travis Wuertz is the Ferrari!!!
http://www.twuertz.com/

 

[Keep]

Keep an eye on the classifieds. Look for machine shops closing, unfortunately it is happening more and more often. I picked this up for $180 2x72 1hp.

Bee metal sander. They are still in business up here make some nice products.

I missed the "I have already bought something" post.

 

[Mike007]

I missed the "I have already bought something" post.

Hey, it's still cool to see what equipment and tools others are using and where they got them.

 

[240sxguy]

****, now you guys got me wanting one of those things. I have no real way to do a decent job cleaning up metal edges after cutting etc.. so things I build are generally functional but not the prettiest.

 

[jlenander]

Thanks Exmaxima1!
I appreciate the pics.
I know what I am going to do to my multitool now!

Jon

 

[ZRX61]

How about Jancy?