The Ultimate Knife Maker's Belt Grinder Guide!

Take a soup-to-nuts tour of belt grinders -- the knife maker's most important tool. They're used both by stock removal makers (those who grind their knives to shape) and by blade smiths who forge their knives. Bladesmith Walter Sorrells takes you along on this exhaustive guide to his belt grinder, showing the overall operation of the grinder as well as features like the flat platen, various sized contact wheels, the grinding table, slack belt fixture, and a sharpening fixture.
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[@trplankowner3323]

Jerrod and Walter, thank you very much for your efforts on this video! I'm a disabled veteran and aspiring knife maker, so this was very helpful for me.

[@dougcorum8718]

I've had my Ameribrade for severa years. As a hobby knife maker i absolutely love it. The knife sharpening jig us the bomb. Works fantastic and a leather 2x72" strop i wouldnt be without.

[@n2darkness]

The biggest difference between the Ameribrade and Bader are the small wheels. The Bader has the bearings inside the end of the wheels and allow the entire wheel surface to be used for fuller grinding as the Ameribrade you can only use the 2" section. You can by the Bader attachment separately and modify to fit on the Ameribrade, as that it what I have done.

[@twatmunro]

I rarely use a knife, I know I'll never make one -- so it seems grossly unreasonable for me to be so excited about watching this video.

[@crashdsnowman1]

yet you made a comment

[@michaell397]

I'm still using the old reliables. Started with the old Square Wheel Grinder by Wilton/Olympic. Loveless Suggested it. Later he designed the Burr King and I have two of those. Very smooth. Another of my old mentors was George Herron who designed the newer bader. Man it removes steel fast. Mr. Bob and Mr. Gorge were both founding members of the Guild and both past Presidents of the Guild. The Bader does not require the handle to be used to change belts. It can be done that way, but I loosen the contact wheel adjustment levers and the belt becomes loose. Now push the arm in and the contact wheel with come forward. You have to adjust for different belts any way and ucts out the one handed Cluster F. trying to thread the belt. I think Mr. George had 5 rseven of them. with one outside for nice spring and summer grinding. Hell of a great guy, as were my other mentors. Jimmy Lyle, Harvey McBurnette and Clay Gault. They are all gone now. I'm getting a little long in the tooth myself. LOL! You do a fantastic job on these Vid's Walter! Nice Knives too!!! ;

[@guloguloguy]

THANK YOU, VERY MUCH!!! I REALLY LIKE THE "AMERIBRADE" GRINDER!!!

[@JorgeM523]

Thank you Walter, love my Ameribrade too. Your videos are all so very helpful. Best wishes in your new shop too.

[@lindboknifeandtool]

Excellent video for me right now. Good stuff!

[@NedKnives]

Great video! Very useful information

[@housevollmer9106]

I’m fairly sure the burr king has a baldor motor... I believe Iv heard you say the bader also has a baldor... does the aameribrade have a baldor aswell or something else powering it??

[@dominickeen6091]

I love my Ameribrade can’t wait to get that sharpening attachment

[@BecksArmory]

Great explanations! :)

[@CerberusForge]

Good info Walter!

[@robertmillard4408]

Also when you grind a profile horizontally you are grinding on the same part of the belt where as vertically you are spreading your grind over the whole belt

[@freemarket913]

Hey Walter, I’ve been watching a lot of your videos. I’m interested buying a belt grinder, as of now the plan is to buy the tw-90. Money isn’t an issue as is space. My question is what small belt sander would you recommend???

[@madwilliamflint]

Great vid! Going to do some shopping. It's a big nut so I'm looking in to the no-weld grinder plans. Maybe that'll get me up and running.

[@codycushman2738]

I got some good mileage outta mine. I think i want a commercial model next, though.

[@basievanwyk8686]

Thank you Walter. How can I get hold of plans for your tipe of grinder?

[@webneko9842]

I just bought my Ameribrade. They do have single speed, though I opted for the variable speed model.

[@richardbranton2780]

I just got a 2x48 Ameribrade with the variable speed motor. Save your money and buy the 2x72. I have 2 bevel jigs and neither one will work with it. It's says it's 1.5 horse power but I don't think so. Since I'm only a part timer I thought the 2x48 would be fine but it isn't I wish I wouldn't have gotten it

[@DrBlazer50]

I'd like to get into making knife handles and replacement knife handles, but I only have 1 arm. What's a good smaller grinder for me to get that I can use with only 1 hand?

[@diegoguerra8736]

Awesome

[@erikcourtney1834]

I 100% agree, your not going to bog down a 3hp. I’ve put a lot of pressure on my flat platen and it’s never missed a lick. Way more power than is necessary, but I’d rather have it and not use it than not have it and need it.

[@michaelelbert5798]

I wish I could help you other than sharing, but I'm very poor.