Review of Kalamazoo 1"x42" Variable Position Belt Grinder for knife sharpening

[@leonardedgarsr2014]

Suggest you put the magnets in a small plastic baggy or wrap in plastic....To remove the metal dust, just take the magnet out of the baggy and it will fall off..

[@chrisjohnson7570]

Super informative, loved this video. Made my choice between this and the veil really easy. Thanks!

[@mychikbad]

That was the goal of this video! Glad I was able to share some helpful info. Are you sharpening for business as well?

[@MrJbell14]

Great and informative video Steven! The Kalamazoo is the GOAT!

[@mychikbad]

That's what I've been tryna tell everybody!!

[@BladeBanter]

Nice the value seems good for the set up and it makes sense for the 45 degree as I've seen the flat ones recently.

[@jacksarebetter]

Thanks for taking the time to explain this machine. I called Kalamazoo and unfortunately didn't get a person who wanted to help me find the right machine for me. This was the machine I was thinking about but didn't have the model number. I'm going to get this one and the platen as well.

[@mychikbad]

This model is the 1SMVP. It's a great machine

[@Jeffrose_]

I like the magnet idea. That's genius.

[@hornfan_atxfranco4019]

Great idea with the magnet placement on the shroud. Do you have a link for the magnets you used?

[@ltiller7800]

Nice video; well done! Also enjoy your short sharpening videos. I see you use three of these Kalamazoo units in your sharpening business and wondered if you would be willing to share the belt grit you use on each machine and why. If the finest grit belt is not for polishing/honing, what do you use to doe that? Thank you, Lou

[@tomhenry4993]

Great video, thanks so much!

[@stevencohen6500]

Hey can u go into the process of making the platen cover looks like graphite cloth over felt and what did u use to make the snap on piece ??

[@kens4741]

Well done, practical video.

[@samkaplitz9036]

I've had a 1x42 Rockwell for 40 years.1x42 is a great tool in anybody's shop!

[@cs-rj8ru]

I had a Rockwell 1x42 w/Dayton motor. it lasted about a month in my shop before the bearings on both the top and bottom idler were wasted. I did replace the upper idler with one from Gates.... and got by a bit. I bought my first Kalamazoo 1x42 2nd hand from a knife maker's estate auction and I still have it in my shop. I use belt grinders/sanders many hours a day in my business.... I did like the Rockwell. it was more of a consumer machine.

[@monabo1]

Great video thanks

[@PedroGarcia-yb8kx]

Thanks. Good information.

[@TdSharp]

I have the regilar one. Do you know how much it costs to upgrade to that variable angle? Looks very interesting

[@svensvensson627]

Looking very Nice. Maybe my next!

[@mychikbad]

Highly recommend it!

[@dennismason1187]

This was extremely helpful. I would like to go into business and there are multiple ways to sharpen and your set up looks very professional. Would you recommend sharpening as a business?

[@mychikbad]

Thanks! It's a fun business but success somewhat depends on the demographics of your area. What city are you in?

[@johndonovan1878]

Nice review… so 2 years later is she still running? Any issues?

[@gravediggermaxvabeachva]

i have 3 kallys and two viels.......be really thinking about this unit......thanks

[@elegantutility368]

You can always make a hinge out of wood to tilt the Kalamazoo. Works great...

[@rickvanderlinden6802]

Hi Steven, Great video, thanks for the insight in de Kalamazoo! I am aan knife sharpener from the Netherlands. In the shop I currently use Tormek T8´s. The machines work great and knives are really sharp but the downside is the speed of the machine. It takes to long to sharpen a dull knife. Thanks to your video I decided to try the kalamzoo. Your setup on the marked stand looks pretty neat. Could you make a video with some insights of your setup and workflow? Thanks, Rick

[@mychikbad]

Hi Rick, thank you for the kind words! You'll be very happy with the Kalamazoo. It handles curved knives much better than the Tormek. If you have Instagram, you can see my sharpening setup and workflow @la_knife_sharpening

[@swingbelly]

Hi Rick. Yes, the time it takes to sharpen a dull knife on the Tormek T8 grinders is perhaps the most negative comment expressed by both knife makers and other sharpeners. And, when you look at their shop set-up there are also belt and bench grinders present. Some even use these machines in conjunction with the Tormek to achieve further sharpness. I too am a Tormek user but have been considering switching to a belt grinder. How did you find the transition from the Tormek to a belt grinder? Thanks, Norm 🍁🍺🍺

[@dilandrenova8748]

Hi bro, I would like to ask you if you dont mind. How much knife/scissors u can sharp before replacing the belt ?

[@robertmunguia250]

What’s the rpm’s on it? Be nice if it was variable speed.

[@HonedByJones]

Just ordered the 1SMVP as well. I will also post a review after I’ve used it for a month or so.

[@sergiorodriguez5689]

Can you please name the other 2 machines that you have on your set up with model # please thank you.

[@petekossaras1830]

Hi Steven, It looks like you used a piece of 1/4" dense foam glued to a piece of thin metal for the back. What did you use to cover the foam where the back of the belt slides against.

[@mychikbad]

Instead of foam, I'm now using felt cut from a felt pad for furniture. It has an adhesive backing already which makes it easier. But I'm still covering it with graphite tape.

[@petekossaras1830]

@@mychikbad Thanks Steven, looks like your using a extra long platen as well

[@mychikbad]

@@petekossaras1830 Yup I asked Kalamazoo to extend their knife maker's platen by 3" as well as reverse the direction of the belt

[@petekossaras1830]

@@mychikbad Thanks again Steven, I checked out your instagram page, look like you got it going on with the sharpening! I appreciate your help. I have the regular Kalamazoo 1 x 42" Going to order another, luckily for me they are located about a little over away hour away from me so I plan on picking up the first of the year. Merry Christmas!

[@mychikbad]

@@petekossaras1830 Nice! I'm considering ordering a 3rd one. Feel free to stay in touch with me on my Instagram. Merry Christmas!

[@dougwing6326]

I have that bad boy, and love it.

[@shawnwilliams6638]

He has 3 are they the same machines with different belts or different machines for different things?

[@BK33REVIEWS]

I just found a older craftsman 1 by 42 that goes vertical up and down. Only one I've seen until now. I got it for 40 bucks

[@theodorechan8665]

have you tried cubitron II? even better than bora 8 IMO!

[@mychikbad]

I haven't! Where do you purchase it? TruGrit only has 80 grit

[@theodorechan8665]

@@mychikbad currycustomcutlery.com/shop/belts/cubitron-belts/ cuts faster and lasts longer than the bora IMO

[@sethchamberlin4263]

Why do you use three of them? Also how do you get the degree?

[@theodorechan8665]

What are you using to power the machines at the farmers market?

[@mychikbad]

2000W Wen generator from Amazon. Not the best but gets the job done.

[@KurtsSharpeningService]

I am trying to decide to buy one. I also want to reverse the rotation and make it adjustable. Do you still like your machine? Have you had any problems with it? Would you buy it again?

[@mychikbad]

Absolutely, I love this machine even more now that they made a taller knife maker's platen for me. If you like to sharpen like me (edge trailing, neutral head position) then I can't recommend this machine enough. I'm considering buying another one to replace my Viel.

[@mychikbad]

@JOSEF BORG Yeah I think this would be the best machine if you like to sharpen the way I do. I've heard the Tormek is slow but I've never used one.

[@sonofableep13]

@@mychikbad Tormek was an absolute waste of money and its so cumbersome

[@stevenfrederick1518]

How much did they charge you to make it adjustable? I'd love to have one but I need it to be horizontal and not vertical.

[@mychikbad]

It's available on their website now. I think it's around $370. Are you sharpening knives as well?

[@stevenfrederick1518]

@@mychikbad Yes I am.

[@stevenfrederick1518]

@@mychikbad So, have you had any issues with the direction being reversed. I too would like to have that done to mine if I buy one.

[@mychikbad]

@@stevenfrederick1518 No issues with the reverse direction. But if you're using it horizontally, won't it be easier to keep the normal direction?

[@stevenfrederick1518]

@@mychikbad I want to sharpen horizontal edge trailing.

[@mcgeedigital]

Link to the Matt Hendrix mod?

[@leec1468]

What grits do you use when sharpenimg

[@mychikbad]

120 grit and then 400 or 600 grit

[@mckaciesoobrattee2972]

Having incorporated the variable position features, what was the price ?

[@mychikbad]

$395 before tax and shipping. kalamazooind.com/product/1smp-1-x-42-inch-industrial-multi-position-belt-sander/

[@Optimization_Coach]

@@mychikbad $495 now 5-24-2024

[@rickromo6692]

Where can I contact you . I have some questions

[@Dial430]

Great video. I see Kalamazoo likes it too, as it is on their website! Did you consider any 2” belt grinders or variable speed, like the Jet 2 x 48 578842? Thanks.

[@mychikbad]

Thanks for watching! I have a Craftsman 2x42" with a 40 or 60 grit belt that is mostly for axes and major knife repairs. For sharpening, I prefer the 1" belts because I feel like I have more precision and control. I did not see a need for the variable speed. I started with the Work Sharp which had variable speed and I always kept it on the highest. So the single speed is one less thing to think about. What are you using?

[@Dial430]

@@mychikbad I currently use the wheel sharpening system with a Dewalt grinder, but I am looking to get a belt grinder. Trying to decide, your recommendation of the Kalamazoo 1 x 42 is compelling, but I was unsure, about 1” vs 2” belt. The Multi-Tool attachment looks interesting, with either 36 or 48 and flexible positioning but I think the 3000+ rpm is daunting.

[@mychikbad]

@@Dial430 Yeah my Craftsman at 3000 RPM is too aggressive for me for sharpening. I wonder if there's a 2" wide machine out there running at 1750 RPM though?

[@Dial430]

@@mychikbad I think the Kalamazoo 1 x 42 is the way to go. I see their standard 1 x 42 is available in both ⅓ and ½ hp both running 1725 rpm. Which motor do you have?

[@mychikbad]

@@Dial430 Good choice! I got a 1/3 HP. I'm sure you can ask them to put in a 1/2 HP motor but I don't know what the benefit of that would be. The machine is plenty powerful already.

[@antoniovasquez9857]

Hi how much is that machine ?

[@seldom_seen8713]

500 dollars

[@sylvainmorneau7083]

Shurely we can contact Kalamazoo and ask for a duplicate of Steven sharpening belt grinder

[@aitf99]

I dont know why they don't make variable position standard. There's no good reason it needs to be fixed at or near 90 degrees.

[@mychikbad]

Some people like to sharpen with the belt running down and the knife's edge pointing down so maybe having the belt at 90º makes it easier to keep a consistent angle. But I think the majority of people who are buying belt grinders aren't using it for sharpening knives. Not quite sure.

[@100BearPaw]

Lovely video. Thanks for sharing the custom build, along with belt choices and comparisons of like equipment. I actually have the original 1x42 like that (non Swivel, as well as the veil and also the pro Edge. The pro edge has super good potential given the 2” belt and it also swivels/rotates. It’s just this huge fault in belt adjustment that ruins it for me. I use the veil and Kalamazoo non stop, while the Sorby Pro Edge sits below the work bench. Tracking does not need to be difficult. But Sorby sure made it that way. Every belt needs major adjustment. It also requires tools to do so. Tools that are two skinny bars that fall out and get lost. Biggest joke I’ve ever come across, on such a high end machine. Kalamazoo is definitely top dog using the best American parts, but it’s also really hard to beat the veil as far as tiny grinders go. It’s not like you can carry around a 2x72”........well, maybe the Kalamazoo one. But not a 3 wheel set up.

[@mychikbad]

Yeah a 2x72" is out of the question in terms of portability. I didn't know the Pro Edge has such faults with it. Thanks for the heads up! Are you sharpening at home or at farmers markets as well?

[@100BearPaw]

@@mychikbad Short answer is home, mainly. I make and maintain woodcarving tools. I’m a woodcarver myself, as well as part of a local carving club. Many members need tools sharpened, as well as need tools. Being the maker of tools, means that I can make special one offs for people. So there’s more than just sharpening I do with my grinders. My Kalamazoo lives with a 36 grit ceramic on it at all times. I use it for quick stuff like reshaping punches and chisels and handle pin stock deburring ect. It is the go to that’s always ready for any small need. I do not run a tool rest on any of my grinders. They just get in the way. The veil is used when I need fine work done or power stropping. I also tend to use it for major reshaping and angle setting jobs. My Wilton Square wheel grinder 2x72 variable speed dual rotation 2hp is my workhorse. I also make custom knives and garden tools ect. So having the much wider assortment of belts to choose from is a real asset. 2x72” starts the industrial offerings of belts. For instance a 24 grit ceramic for doing any type of stock removal in a hurry. No matter if it’s shaping a handle, or turning bar stock into a knife. I do both stock removal and forging. Just depends on what’s being made. I started out on the Viel though. You can literally make anything on a 1x42” like that , or the Kalamazoo. The only reason I have the others nowadays is for efficiency. Time saving potential means a great deal. Being able to hog at 7200fps and then finesse and shape stubborn woods that burn easy at super low rpm’s is a massive benefit. That goes for sharpening also. Reshaping a broken tip on really thin blades ect. Less heat means no worries of over heating. If I ever need to replace the motor on one of the 1x42’s , it will get a 1hp variable. I’ll also put in a three way switch for multiple direction capabilities. I hope you can forgive me, but I’m not about to spell check all that ha ha. Siri has a way of making things difficult, ha ha. Oh I have also grown to enjoy a cbn wheel mounted below my Kalamazoo with a 10” cbn mega wheel in 150grit. It is on a 1hp Dayton farm duty, with HD double direction switch. It’s 1725 rpm, but variable would be the better option.

[@mychikbad]

@@100BearPaw Awesome insight! Love hearing about all the different use cases for machines. Seems like you really know what you're doing.

[@gravediggermaxvabeachva]

the kally is a hard ticket to beat for sharpening and this new unit is impressive both in performance and price........but i like it and may add one to my assortment soon.

[@SHIEET817]

Probably costs like $800

[@ezramel]

Kalamazoo customer support is not good at all they only want to sale more not really helping you.

[@mychikbad]

I’ve had the exact opposite experience