Grizzly T32459 - 2" x 42" Belt Sander.

[Mr Mike]

Well it turned up today in a much smaller box than I expected. Grizzly would do well to emphasize the size of this grinder. Now I know once set up it will be larger, but the box is not much larger than an 8" bench grinder would come in.

On the size issue, I've been watching various review, testing, improvement videos on this grinder and took this screen shot of the Grizzly 2x42 next to a 2x72 showing just how much smaller this machine is.

This particular youtuber was not impressed, but then again he has a nice 2x72 and apparently Grizzly did not give him a hard time returning the grinder as he mentioned that in the pros column.

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The video the screen shot came from. He is pretty down on the machine, although he does make an effort to show both the good and bad. Also sounds like he may have gotten a machine with a bad ground, something he mentions at the end of the video.
It is a good video that certainly doesn't sugar coat the grinders out of the box weaknesses.

To be honest I was like wow when you said you bought one. I placed a soda can in a photo as a size reference in the first post, to help people judge the size of this sander - its pretty compact.

I saw that video long before I bought the sander, Personally I felt the review wasn't a fair representation of the sander capability's - if he had 3 different but similarly specked sanders to compare the out come would have been more interesting. I don't blame the reviewer he didn't bash the machine really, and was trying to be fair at the end - I just think the bar was set too high.

The reviewers has a good point, with enough time, effort and about $600.00 you could make a killer version of this sander. If I was hogging out tons of metal making large knifes I would see this sander just as he does.

Sorry if your disappointed with it... with everything these days being sold online, there is no way to tell what you bought until it shows up at your door step.

I found as many positive reviews as negative, and yes this sander has had a rough start with a couple known manufacturing defects as well. but for me I just love its compact size, once I tackle its minor short comings it will be a great addition to my shop. especially once I start learning how to do sand casting.

For $269.00, Like you said if it starts going south I have parts to start with ... and not to mention in your very capable hands it will be a rock star in no time without a doubt.

Edited for additional Info...

 

[DeadGuyAle]

As with any mechanical device, expectations can often exceed realistic capabilities.
I knew prior to purchasing that the stock tool rest and platen would need upgrading but was fairly confident that the rest of the machine would be satisfactory for grinding 1/4" and 3/8" HSS lathe tooling plus other light duty grinding work. So far it's exceeded my expectations for the price point and the $100 spent on upgrades.
I don't have anything to compare it against and no doubt a much larger and much more expensive 2 X 72 would out perform it at every level but that would be expected.
Spending $1000 dollars and investing a ton of hours to modify a $300 machine is nonsensical. If you need a $2000 2"x72" buy a $2000 2"x72" that way you won't be disappointed.

 

[Aaron_W]

To be honest I was like wow when you said you bought one. I placed a soda can in a photo as a size reference in the first post, to help people judge the size of this sander - its pretty compact.

I saw that video long before I bought the sander, Personally I felt the review wasn't a fair representation of the sander capability's - if he had 3 different but similarly specked sanders to compare the out come would have been more interesting. I don't blame the reviewer he didn't bash the machine really, and was trying to be fair at the end - I just think the bar was set too high.

The reviewers has a good point, with enough time, effort and about $600.00 you could make a killer version of this sander. If I was hogging out tons of metal making large knifes I would see this sander just as he does.

Sorry if your disappointed with it... with everything these days being sold online, there is no way to tell what you bought until it shows up at your door step.

For me I just love its compact size, once I tackle its minor short comings it will be a great addition to my shop.

I am in no way disappointed in it, I did not mean to give that impression.

I am perfectly happy with it, and for the money I think it is a great deal. I posted that video because that is where I grabbed the screen shot from and felt that was the right thing to do.

I do suspect, after a few years of modifications, there will be little left unchanged, but I see that as a feature, not a failure of the machine. I am thrilled by the size, as the screenshot shows it probably takes up 1/2 the space of a 2x72.

I agree with your assessment of his assessment of the machine. Nothing he says is "wrong", but I do think he is overly harsh. He seems to be basing many of his opinions on a comparison to a much heavier 2x72 grinder, and as some one who has been piecing together the materials to build a 2x72", I think he is way under on the pricing of a DIY with post Covid prices. A VFD and 1hp motor alone will cost as much as this Grizzly grinder. Probably another $500 in materials, and then your time to build it. Clearly the little Grizzly grinder is the wrong machine for him and I can't fault him for being critical of it.

Good converted bench grinders cost twice what the Grizzly did on sale. A Vevor 2x72 runs close to $1000, and something actually good $2000-3000. I looked up Revolution 2x72" belt grinders which is what that reviewer has, and people are selling completed kits for $2000. Even at full price, with taxes and shipping, the Grizzly 2x42 is 1/4 the price.

Comparing the Grizzly to a grinder 2-5x the price is not really fair. Many of the more positive reviewers are comparing it to 1x30" belt grinders that many knife makers use, and from there the Grizzly is a step up, without making the big leap to 2x72 in cost and size.


On a slightly different thought, this guy has adapted the grizzly to take a 2x72" belt so it does seem to be very adaptable.

 

[Aaron_W]

As with any mechanical device, expectations can often exceed realistic capabilities.
I knew prior to purchasing that the stock tool rest and platen would need upgrading but was fairly confident that the rest of the machine would be satisfactory for grinding 1/4" and 3/8" HSS lathe tooling plus other light duty grinding work. So far it's exceeded my expectations for the price point and the $100 spent on upgrades.
I don't have anything to compare it against and no doubt a much larger and much more expensive 2 X 72 would out perform it at every level but that would be expected.
Spending $1000 dollars and investing a ton of hours to modify a $300 machine is nonsensical. If you need a $2000 2"x72" buy a $2000 2"x72" that way you won't be disappointed.

That is exactly where I am with it. I know I will be making changes over time, but even out of the box it will be useful and at this price, I would be shocked if it didn't need to have some improvements made.

 

[Mr Mike]

Well it turned up today in a much smaller box than I expected.

Alright Aaron, I found you the belt sander of your Dreams for ya, Your Welcome..!

On a slightly different thought, this guy has adapted the grizzly to take a 2x72" belt so it does seem to be very adaptable.

When I first saw that I was like Just cause you can -

Correct me if I'm wrong but the only difference between a 2" x 42" and a 2" x 72" is how often you have to swap out worn belts. Are there other advantages of having the longer belt..?

Will a 2" x 72" last over twice the life of a 2" x 42" belt..?

What advantages would he have doing that...?

I checked the 3 common sizes of ceramic belts and Red Label seems to charge double for most for their belts compared to other manufacturers. The cost savings does lean towards the 72" belts by about 20%.

 

[Aaron_W]

Alright Aaron, I found you the belt sander of your Dreams, Your Welcome..!

He makes some fun, if slightly insane projects.