4 x 42 Sander Conversion

[Robert6666]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvBb2PpqF8Y&frags=wn

Do any of you experienced knifemakers know anything about this conversion?

[jimmontg]

If you do then it's totally worth it. The Harbor Freight grinder motor is on the weak side, but this works. I have a 2x48 Dayton so don't need the conversion. I did a review of the Dayton here and suggest you look it up if you're thinking of buying the 4x36 and the Jiffy, the Dayton's 3/4 HP motor is really 3/4 HP and is direct drive to the drive wheel, no pulleys. Also has a totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) motor. It all comes down to your budget, but the Dayton is built like a tank, but does need some modifications for knife grinding. It is all in my review, pros and cons.

Here is the Dayton, sadly when I bought mine it was on sale at $228, but has gone back to its regular price of $356, free shipping, which is important as it weighs 67 lbs.
https://www.zoro.com/dayton-belt-gri...n7/i/G2178741/

Here is a YT review of the Jiffy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ir8qSV5gOg

[Robert6666]

I do have a 4x36 3 years old, wish I could get a dust bag for it or a connection to use my Karcher vacuum cleaner.

In the UK where I live I have never seen a 2x72, I would love one and a brazing kit.
I cannot make up my mind on these small bottled gas brazers, I do not believe they will weld/braze brass to steel.
I gotta lot to learn.

[damon]

one you might want to look into.

http://alecsteeleblacksmith.com/steelegrinder/grinder

[jimmontg]

Robert there is a weld rod called B-CUP-3 or 5 and it melts at a lower temp for brazing, but it has to have a flux to stick. lf any of the small bottled brazers available to you has an oxygen bottle it will get hot enough to melt steel, whether Acetylene, propane or mapp gas and brazing using bronze rod isn't a problem once you learn how.. If no O2 available then learn to solder, easier than brazing and less expensive to get set up.

Brass has some brazing issues as it contains zinc (bronze doesn't) and if it's a high concentration it may cause fumes you don't want to breath too much of, especially if it makes hairy looking ashes, which it tends to do if it gets too hot when its in a molten state. I weld zinc, but only with a propane torch with no O2. Using an electric arc will vaporize the zinc in brass. I was a TIG welder, most of my brazing was with it.
Good luck on finding a grinder.