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Next to the Shop Fox, this Porter-Cable Belt Sander was the most powerful with a 0.75-horsepower motor with a max speed of 3,450 revolutions per minute (RPM). At 51 pounds, it’s a stable machine that doesn’t move while you work, which is exactly what you need for knife making. It’s got a pretty compact footprint that won’t take up too much space in your workshop and the standard 3-year warranty that covers all Porter-Cable tools.
The major downfall of the 1x30 is that the belt isn't wide enough to flatten off material effectively, which is a big job in any knife shop. Some of the more expensive models include a 6" disc sander on the side, which can help with this though. The 30” long belt doesn’t provide you with much abrasive surface area either meaning you’ll have to change belts more and the motor doesn’t have the most power in the world.Overall a 1x30 is a great low-cost option to get into knife making. If you decide to use this size of grinder, keep in mind that it is essential to use good ceramic based abrasives; otherwise, the grinder won't perform to its full potential. Plenty of incredible knife makers (Will Stelter included) started with this machine and it is a sure-fire way to help ignite your knife making passion but you will end up outgrowing it if you're serious about knife making. Compared to some hobbies, knife making has a pretty low barrier to entry. All it takes to make a knife with modern equipment is a little instruction from YouTube, some steel, a few other basic materials, and a belt grinder. But the belt grinder is really the crux of everything since it will allow you to shape and form your knife. The Shop Fox W1843 Knife Belt Sander is an awesome product that will not get in your way when making knives. It’s got all the premium features you might ask for as a knife maker and loads of power from the 1-HP, 14-amp motor that outpowers every machine on this list by a wide margin. So, why isn’t it in the top position? Simple. It’s too expensive for most beginners and hobbyists. This is the machine you get when you’re dead-serious about your knife making, but the high price tag will prevent anyone else from considering it most of the time.
A 2×42 belt grinder is usually preferable to a 1×42 belt grinder. Because of the bigger belt, the 2×42 grinders are more stable, and they’re also cheaper. KNIFE GRINDERS 2×42 Standard belts of 2 inch width (and 72 inch long) are used in the industry for creating professional-quality knives. The bulk of belt grinding machines used in the knife industry in North America are this size. For the level of performance, the units are surprisingly small and can work with a wide variety of belt materials. In addition, there are more accessories available for 2×72 belt grinders, including: HZ72 60 grit grit zirconium oxide grinding belts (4″ wide belt, 6″ wide belt). By far the most common belt. The 60 grit grinding belt allows for tip grinding (with care|) and when grinding steel 60 grit is often an acceptable final finish. Zircuonium can handle steel better than aluminum oxide belts, but they wear out faster than ceramic belts.The average entry-level belt grinder has about 0.33-HP. Compare that to the top-end professional belt-grinders with 1-HP, and it’s easy to see where some of the price difference goes.
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