1x30 Belt Grinder Tips and Tricks

[@andrewneilson227]

I love what you're doing. These videos are super useful. Keep up the good work!

[@shawnhoffer5766]

Great idea for the platen. Something I need to do to mine.

[@justins5996]

I have the same belt grinder. A secret I picked up from another guy is to but a magnet by the drive wheel and it will catch particles and make clean up a little easier

[@theriversexperience9383]

Yup, I have had a magnet in there for a while. It helps keep the shop so much cleaner.

[@ourlifeinwyoming4654]

This is great! I'm beginner and I';m just now gathering parts and tools. I've got one of these belt grinders that I use for guitar repair work - nuts, bridges, pick guards, etc. This will keep the cost down for me. I really appreciate it! So glad I found your channel!

[@69shovlhed89]

great ideas there! the wooden mount to turn the machine horizontal is something i must do. the full length platen is also an excellent idea; i wish i'd seen this 5 years ago. i did a short video on a pulley modification for my 1x30 because i like to use the upper wheel for tighter curves. check it out if you're interested. i do strongly recommend thick stainless steel for your table mod, because it won't rust, and harder metal won't get scratches in it as easy as aluminum or wood.

[@theriversexperience9383]

Great tip!

[@christinenorriss9675]

Brilliant, I have just got myself a 1×30 beltgrinder, I only make small knives, about six and a half inches long, the blade is just over 3inches. I am encouraged watching your vid that I have done the right thing, thanks mate....

[@robertmunguia250]

Got a variable speed motor for mine and works great for various things like sharpening mostly. Need a platen like yours for one of them.

[@TWKKNIVES]

I just got my 1by 30 and I was so inspired by your video that what I did was mounted a 2×2foot board onto my workbench

[@TWKKNIVES]

Sorry that 2×2 board has an underneath swivel system similar to a vise that can spin 360° to which I mounted a sma)l rail system that the Affixed hinged plate that the grinder sits on top of can tip horizontal as it slides back on the rails so it flips up like a desk top then slides on the rails flips down into horizontal and then can be spun in 360°range of motion. Combined an idea from red beard with urs and threw in my own twist... Literally

[@theriversexperience9383]

That actually sounds awesome! I'd love to see how it turns out.

[@barkinsawmike6273]

I liked the way you made that longer platten and I will definitely try to make me one like that and perhaps put a thin piece of metal on the aluminum rest to make it wider and more useful didn't really catch onto what you did with the tensioner in the back but oh well thanks for the lesson 👍👍 and the only tip I can add would be get some ceramic belts that will make a big difference also to anyone

[@matthvac4918]

Whats the best way to bend the new platen? Want to make a full one like you have there.

[@3dp_edc]

How did you end up going about it? I want to do it as well?

[@cae2487]

I'm gonna definitely try the full platen out. I've got a 1x30, 1x42, and a 4x36. I'd love a 2x72 but they are just so much money it's tough to justify at this point in my life. I lucked out with my 1x42 and got it off fb marketplace for a the same price as my 1x30 and I just picked up a 1.5hp motor from a table saw that I'm gonna try and use so I can hopefully hog some material off for profiling and then do more delicate things with the 1x30 and the 4x36 is purely to make blades flat lol thanks for sharing it is much appreciated.

[@LIE4ME]

06:50 - 07:15 I wish youd done a Rick Flair Whooooooooo when you said and my belts with the belts on the wall in the background lol. Yeah man you can hear it in your voice theres other expensive ways to make knives but youre literraly grinding it out using the basic stuff. Cool video and good luck on the knives. It's been a year so I hope your hollow grinding by now!

[@mattman8685]

also I have one that I use to sand down polls that couldn't be moved and added handles to it making the belt sander a portable tool yes it was heavy but it damn sure did the job

[@robertgolden1080]

Great video. Awesome mods.

[@theriversexperience9383]

Thanks 👍

[@stvincents2007]

I’ve used mine for 4yrs now, that top wheel you covered up, I use it for shaping finger groves so you can choke up on a knife, i get a great finish with high grit belts 1200 then on a buffer, try doing most of you stock removal with a 40 grit because the motor power not massive, theses grits will still remove very easy.

[@pvpv6969]

Where do you get your belts from?

[@18deadmonkeys]

6:25 I have one mounted in this horizontal fashion. I added 5 rare earth magnet discs to the back end of the machine body. Snatches all the steel filings before they can be slug back at me.

[@rainyrivers7109]

Thank for making thia video is for the great idea of putting the belt sander upside down

[@theriversexperience9383]

I'm happy it helped you out! Thanks for watching.

[@creedcastguides]

fantastic bro, I will be modifying my belt grinder thanks

[@lindboknifeandtool]

Currently using a 4x36. Normally the platen is Garbo, so I made a raised platen from aluminum so I could get clean plunge grinds. I definitely need to get a 1x30 for doing recurve/karambit blades.

[@DarqueScape]

Great video thank you

[@redangrybird7564]

I picked up one or two things, thanks. You could add a small super magnet inside the frame to pick up the metal fillings.

[@theriversexperience9383]

Yup, it's pretty handy. Happy you liked it.

[@ManiacInTheShed]

Cant wait to get a 1 X 30 and I will definitely be doing these mods, cant do hand fileing anymore with my old worn hands

[@Back40Forge]

6th!! Thx for ideas!!! Need to do the platen!!

[@theriversexperience9383]

I'm happy it helped you out.

[@jdcole2112]

Have you looked into upgrading the motor to the grinders ? Just curious I am debating to by a 1x30 or just build a 2x72. I am just starting out , but I have many building materials.

[@ricallen7273]

Dude, I love your videos. My shop is almost a copy of yours.....antihistamines please

[@bobbarker5884]

Question: What hardware did you use to attach the sander to the wood base? Looks like washers and bolts? Did you remove the rubber base feet?

[@theriversexperience9383]

I left the rubber feet to act as a cushion for vibrations.

[@louisleoncini1033]

starting knife making will get one.

[@pedrobarrios2419]

Yes I did......😊

[@jumpnjack8686]

Eric, I am having tracking issues w my 1x30 belt grinder. It will move to the right but will not move far enough left to get decent plunge line. The platten is exposed. Have you encountered this? Any suggestions? Thanks for any help.

[@mikenorris6769]

Could you tell what you made the platen from and how you attached it to the grinder, I can certainly see that would offer a lot more versatility!

[@neilbaltes3469]

I have a small shop in which I would like to make new scales for my kitchen knives. How do you control the dust when using your 1x30's??

[@scrappyddz]

I started with the same 1x30 Harbor Freight special too, but I absolutely "needed" a 2x72 but I couldn't afford one, so I built one from scratch using 1.25" square tube steel from Home Depot. If you're interested in the plans, hit me up.

[@jt9498]

Nice mods. It's giving me ideas. :)

[@theriversexperience9383]

Glad to hear it!

[@alessandromontemaggi8135]

First of all, thanks a lot for your channel, I'm dreaming to start to make my own knives and I get so much inspiration from your KZbin videos. I like a lot your knives ieder, you are making amazing blades up there. Also if I see that you updated your shop with a 2x72 I would like to ask you if you are still advice me to start with one little 1x30. At the moment the 2x72 doesn't really fit in my budget. Seeing this video I get hope that a 1x30 can produce nice knives..off course with same good quality belts. I also would like to see some of your works done on a 1x30 if is possible. Thanks again!

[@theriversexperience9383]

absolutely start off with a 1x30. No need to spend the big bucks until you get comfortable making knives.

[@GlockmanGG]

What the sercet to getting the belt to be able to adjust it left or right or just in the center. Mine will adjust to the center or left , will not got past the wheel or platen, any ideas

[@theriversexperience9383]

I've had that same issue, I just shifted the platen to the left so that center is technically the right when adjusted to the center.

[@mattman8685]

you should add leather on that aluminum piece that swivels and controls the angle that's what I did and when you're sharpening it's a soft surface I used old worn-out leather gloves and cut a piece to fit perfectly

[@bobonysko3167]

Is there anywhere I can buy a longer platen like yours?

[@johnwalters7415]

Could you still use a longer peace beside the belt on the one you have mounted on it's side

[@theriversexperience9383]

Yup, I actually have it set up that way now.

[@davidreadenour4611]

question... for the replacement platten, what steel did you use? I am for sure going to be making those changes you suggested

[@theriversexperience9383]

It's just a 1"x1/8" piece of mild steel that I bent to fit.

[@robertmunguia250]

How did you grind that piece on top clear plastic?

[@robertmunguia250]

How about the motor? Turn it into variable speed?

[@garymyers4496]

What are the measurements of the new platen.

[@Mobisonline]

Where did you buy all of those belts, i could only find a few at harbor freight

[@bobnwashington5966]

The Owl King/Lowe's

[@johnvgig]

Amazon

[@michaelrosebud]

Howdy, love the mods, and the way you lay it out for everyone. I wonder if it is possible, or worth it to convert a 1x30' belt sander to a 2x30" belt sander ?

[@theriversexperience9383]

The only reason I would keep it a 1x30 is that I like the narrow belts for getting into tight areas. The motor wouldn't like the 2x30 belt much, it would probably bog down too much.

[@K3Flyguy]

Do you feel the motor needs to be replaced with variable speed motor? Another guy almost insists the variable drive is a mandatory upgrade. I know of several knife makers that have always ran single speed screaming grinders for years and are very happy with that arrangement. Please give me your thoughts. Thank you! Well done video, and content, I subscribed!

[@theriversexperience9383]

I am perfectly content with the single speed. I may change it one of these days but I'm in no hurry.

[@mikekelley7589]

If you have a variable speed bench grinder.....its just a matter of drilling three holes! imgur.com/BNlB0DX

[@swm122758]

From what I've seen the main benefits of variable speed [low] are: Less material removal = more forgiving for beginners. I.e correction of angle, etc. Minimum to no requirement to dip the material in water to cool it between passes. Can extend the life of the belts. Don't quote me on this, but DC variable should be more energy efficient..?

[@robsproducts]

Does your 1x30 rotate so that the belt is accelerating down to the ground (as its positioned here in this vid)? I just bought an old Delta 1x30 and realized that the belt is not rotating the way I want it to and ended up coming up with a few ways to work aroudn that, but I just want to ensure that when I get to sharpening I'm not pressing that sharp edge into the belt, afraid of cutting it in half!

[@johnwalters7415]

Did you need to remove any metal around the tensioner

[@theriversexperience9383]

Nope I did not.

[@rickpollard1853]

Could you please show us how you did the mods?

[@theriversexperience9383]

I will be doing a video dedicated to these 1x30's in a couple weeks.

[@HappSsack]

Ad a mister for sharpening heat reduction...under $50

[@idwolverine1867]

Great tips! You wouldn’t want to fab another platen and mail it to Idaho would ya? 😂

[@luizdiaz5196]

I've made a bunch of awesome knives on my harbor freight including titanium frame lock folders. After years of using it im finally upgrading- to a variable speed 1x30 from aliexpress. You don't need a 2x72 to make knives

[@lindboknifeandtool]

How did you do the lock geometry and lockbar cutout?

[@luizdiaz5196]

@@lindboknifeandtool I cut the lockout bar from 6AL4V titanium using metal cutting wheels from Dremel attached to a harbor freight drill press and drill press vise. As for the geometry, I couldn't tell you anymore- it's been a while. Good luck

[@davejoseph5615]

I didn't notice until today that turning that tracking knob is not the proper way to loosen the belt.

[@garrettliggett5082]

I'm going to eventually upgrade the motor in mit's motor and mine because if you upgrade the motor usif it's a motor using an old treadmill you'll get the high speed and the low speed off the treadmill for your knife making that's what I'm gonna experiment with you can always find them for free or less than 50 bucks the only problem I can see having doing that is making the big wheel on the 1 by 30 fit it and not wobble

[@benjaminlandrum4942]

Hey brother! Do you know of anyone who might make some parts for these 1x30? Like some better wheels or bearings ect?

[@69shovlhed89]

i did a youtube video about adding an aluminum 2" wheel for a 2x72 grinder to my 1x30. it works great, and its an easy mod. the aluminum wheels have gone up in price since then.

[@brentwilson3597]

The part number you need for bearing will be 202 FF do a search on the internet find them they have met most part stores if you look around you can get a better deal than you get at the auto parts store the man you need to talk to it's cliff he's the one in Hawaii he has a video about how to change your bearings and tune-up your belt sander check him out he's very knowledgeable and he's so damn good

[@larryfulton7619]

Use a $45.00 Angle Grinder from Harbor Freight with a Flap Disk to shape your handles…it gives you more maneuverability.

[@Keegan_Co]

I guess I'll claim fourth? Haha

[@erickrivers5038]

And claimed haha.

[@richardbranton190]

I know this is an old video but im going to try and save someone some money. I purchased an ameribrade 2×48 with the variable speed motor for $1200. It's absolutely horrible i use my harbor freight 1×30 more than i use that thing. Save your money and get a 2×72 or just stick with the 1×30

[@erickrivers5038]

5th

[@timcasey6815]

Nice mods. Sorry about your head cold. Try some cold meds before your next video. Hearing you suck mucus up into your head is really gross and distracts from an otherwise good piece. Just a thought.