- Joined
- Dec 20, 2012
- Messages
- 9,422
Things have changed with the advent of ceramic belts, so much so that I think a belt sander is far more useful in the shop than a bench grinder. Well, at least in my shop. I have used my bench grinder no more than a half-dozen times over the last decade and that was mostly for shaping or refreshing my gravers. For lathe tool grinding and general fabrication of steel and aluminum stuff the belt sander is a vastly superior tool.
I think the current designs for 2X72 grinders is awesome. They can be built in a hobby shop for fairly low cost and with a good tool rest and platen it should be able to do everything a metal working hobby guy needs. I do not own a 2X72 but I will someday. Until then, my little 2X42 belt sanders will suffice.
Bob, if lathe tool grinding is something you plan to use it for, a belt sander will grind faster, cooler and be easier to use than a bench grinder. With a good tool rest and glass platen it will easily become an indispensable tool in your shop. I would go for it and I would build a 2X72 if you do. Belts last longer, cut cooler and faster than the shorter belts and are widely available in different grits and compositions. Try the ceramic belts - they cut amazingly well.
Good luck with this and do post up if you build one.
I think the current designs for 2X72 grinders is awesome. They can be built in a hobby shop for fairly low cost and with a good tool rest and platen it should be able to do everything a metal working hobby guy needs. I do not own a 2X72 but I will someday. Until then, my little 2X42 belt sanders will suffice.
Bob, if lathe tool grinding is something you plan to use it for, a belt sander will grind faster, cooler and be easier to use than a bench grinder. With a good tool rest and glass platen it will easily become an indispensable tool in your shop. I would go for it and I would build a 2X72 if you do. Belts last longer, cut cooler and faster than the shorter belts and are widely available in different grits and compositions. Try the ceramic belts - they cut amazingly well.
Good luck with this and do post up if you build one.