Opinions on potential buy: small belt grinder

[Harris Snyder]

Hello guys, I noticed this fairly cheap belt/bench grinder at a local tool store here in Toronto, and I was wondering what you guys think of it. It would be for putting the bevels on knives, and that's pretty much it (I forge the shape so its's just for the bevels). Scandi grinds basically. I don't make a lot of knives as a blacksmith, but I'd like to try a few.

 

http://www.atlas-machinery.com/products/General-International-15-232-M1-6-3.7A-Belt-and-Wheel-Grinder

 

I know its a tiny little thing, but for 200 bucks its got a belt and a wheel. What do you guys think, decent for scandi bevel grinds?

[John McPherson]

3.7 amps and 1/3 HP for $200!!! That's the power specs on a $20 import 4" disk grinder. It's a toy, save yourself the trouble.

 

Real tools cost real money. If it sounds too good to be true.....

[Harris Snyder]

Haha fair enough. Yeah I figured it wouldn't be "good"... But thought it might be acceptable for some bevel grinds. Ah well, thats fine. Thanks.

[swedefiddle]

It would work, but it would stall if you leaned on it. If you are gentle and patient it will work fine.

 

Grizzley Tools has a good knife Belt Grinder. 2"x72" belt. They used to not ship to Canada, but they will now. Check out their web-site http://www.grizzly.com/  part # G1015  They have a tent sale once a year, each store on a different date. It is worth the drive if you can be there, if you aren't there in person, there is no special price.

 

Neil

[Harris Snyder]

Yeah but John made a good point - it's not really worth 200 bucks.

 

That offering from Grizzly looks nice, I'll look into that, and other solutions.