[TheForge] belt grinder advice?

[Bob Ehrenberger]

Paul,

We have a 2x48 Kalamazoo which is around $300. It has worked fine for 15 
years. Though it doesn't get much use now that I have a KMG 2x72 which is 
great but goes for over $1000.

We used to have a Bader II but I didn't like it because it was direct drive 
and went way too fast for my liking. The KMG uses a jack shaft so it's easy 
to change speeds with different pulleys. We have a step pulley on it but 
have found a speed we like and never change it.

Robert Ehrenberger
Shelbyville, Mo.
eforge at centurytel.net

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Paul Novorolsky
Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2012 11:07 AM
To: Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: [TheForge] belt grinder advice?

My cheapo 1x30" HF belt sander gave up its ghost last week. I had been
using it for about 3 years. I certainly got my money's worth out of it.

I had been looking to upgrade, so I guess now is the time. I'm on a
tight budget, so I'd like to keep it under $300.

I'm a little skeptical of the grizzly unit (last listed below). Although

quite cheap, I'm afraid it isn't really any better than the HF unit. The

units that attach to the grinder look to be the best deal without going
to a full-blown knife grinder.

Aside from the increase in working surface area, what might I consider
in choosing between a 2x36 and a 2x48, or a 4x48 size belt?

Has anyone tried more than one of these, or have them and can give
pros/cons of them? Or comments about the mfr?