$60 Belt Sander Full Review: is it Worth it? (Harbor Freight 1x30 Grinder)
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- Опубліковано 5 лип 2024
- I've used this for two years, and I can say that the 1x30 grinder is not only cheap, but well worth the money if you modify it! There's a few things I like about this belt sander from harbor freight, and I'm going over all of that in today's video! This sander is very versatile and for $60, rather durable! I am very partial to it for a beginner/hobbyist tool, and I think it is a very worthwhile investment if you are tinkering in your garage shop or beginning to learn blacksmithing! Hopefully this helps some of you get into blacksmithing or knife making, since this has been such an essential tool for me in my shop!
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Great review. I started with a similar machine and left the side plate on. Over time it filled with swarf and caught fire , so taking the side off is x great idea. Ive subsequently built Jer Schmidt’s grinder and it gets used every day. Thanks for sharing. Brilliant
Gotcha! I didn’t know that was an added benefit of removing the side plate thanks for sharing! I hope to upgrade to a nice grinder like yours eventually, but all in due time! Thanks for the support!
Yo I was looking for a review and this was a 10/10 video strait forward, no bullcrap, and relatable your so cool and helpful you’ve EARNED my subscription thank you so much great video ❤
Hey glad to hear it! I started making these videos because when I was starting it was hard to find someone who hadn’t started 20+ years ago or something like that haha, and it was hard to find tutorials on how to start yourself!
Yay he uploaded
I gotchu
My belt grinder is probably the most used tool in my arsenal. I built it about a year back. It's just a bench grinder with steel plate laser cut and welded. Had the foresight to create a proper table and platten, really helps to get those 90 degree angles. Really enjoyed making my own, because it accepts proper 2 meter belts, but admittedly buying a good one will serve you just as well. To date I've forged a claymore and several knives with it.
That’s awesome!! I would love to try to build a custom belt sander but I also don’t know where to start… probably will end up getting a mass produced one and then mod it out
Very nice view. Can’t wait to see more videos.
Thanks! I appreciate the support as always!!
Just starting and after your vid on sander I bought one and it has your modifications also bought a welder , waiting for anvil,vice and the propane forge , hoping they arrive today itching to get started
That sounds like an awesome setup to start with!! Hope it gets here soon too!
yo todd glad you made this vid since i just purchased this sander on sale for $50 like 2 weeks ago
side note btw would you ever consider doing a sword forging vid?
Hey I’m glad it came just in time for you! I would love to try out a sword sometime, I just would have to figure out how to do it with limited sword space. Maybe a short sword? If I do I’d have to do it sometime when I have a bit more time (maybe this summer 🤷♂️🤷♂️)
What is nice about HF is that the tools are affordable. Are they top of the line, live forever? Probably not, however if you are on a budget they work until you can afford something nicer. Also, if you use reasonable care, they will last quite a while. I have a number of their tools and they work for what I want. And if you can find their coupons you can get an even better deal on certain items.
I totally agree! Most of my tools are from harbor freight, and since I’ve taken care of them and worked on troubleshooting them I haven’t had to buy almost any replacements! And while I hope to have better tools eventually, they definitely are a great place to start
I’ve got the bigger One buying that one to buy the smaller one
I didn’t know there’s a bigger one, I’ll have to check it out when I’m upgrading! I want to get a nice one but they can be expensive so I should also look at some cheaper ones haha
where did you get ur shed? what size? how much??
im looking to get one myself
My shed just came with the house when my parents bought it, it’s a lifetime brand shed and it’s probably 12x12 or something similar to that. If you can build your own shed it might be cheaper, but with the cost of building materials these days I can’t be sure haha. I’d guess it comes in about $1500 price-wise
@@ToddKoch gotcha! Thanks a lot
@redlotus336 yep!
1. 2:32 NOOOO, to change belts you should notice that the rear idler wheel is spring loaded. You can even see the slot in the video. Pull the external stuff forward with your right hand while you manipulate the belt on/off with your left. It should never be difficult to get a belt on or off. If the rear wheel can't slide forward, loosen the nut inside the housing.
2. The adhesive will give out on old belts and you'll have to replace them.
3. There's some dispute about using "hand protection" on any power tool (I assume you mean gloves) because gloves can get caught in the tool and drag you hand (and arm, depending on the tool) into the danger zone. AND, I don't see you wearing gloves while grinding the little sledge head, or the handle, or the knife, or the little bit of wood late in the video.
4. Dust? Hella dust, but I don't see you wearing any respiratory protection.
5. How 'bout some eye protection?
6. Use the platen, you paid for it and it will give you MUCH better control over the work.
Summary: informative vid presented by someone who doesn't practice what he preaches. Maybe too young to have slipped and lost some skin.... or a finger.... yet.
Most of what you said has nothing to do with the actual review of the product. It's like commenting on the color of his shirt saying "it's too dark". Wtf does that have to do with anything?
Thanks for the info! Honestly I’m willing to admit that I might not have the belt exchange method down properly, but this is what has worked for me for years and hasn’t caused any issues yet! As for the old belts, I do replace my old belts, I just tend to find that the grit tends to wear down before the adhesive in most cases (although I have had belts snap on me a few times, it’s bound to happen when you’re in the shop for hours per project). As for the hand protection, there is dispute and I personally don’t always use it when my hand isn’t near the belt, and when it comes to some exact grinds on knifes I prefer to use my hands because I find it helps me with accuracy. That being said, I started on sanders with hand protection and used that until I began to feel comfortable with selectively using protection. I think it’s a bit presumptuous to think that I’m too young to have slipped and grinded my knuckles a few times; I’ve got scars on my hands that say otherwise. But it’s a risk I choose to run, and for the sake of an informational video, I want to put basic safety info so then people can be aware of it at the very least. As for the dust… you’ll notice that the videos show my hands at the grinder, not my face. I wear a respirator whenever I’m on the grinder because I don’t want to destroy my lungs! I’ve been an avid runner for the majority of my life, so I take precautions to ensure that I’m not going to throw all that away to finish a handle. I don’t have the fanciest respirator, mostly because I don’t have $2000 to buy one of the spacesuit looking things that most professional blade smiths have. And once again, I assure you I use eye protection, I’m not a dumbass, and I like being able to see. The reason you can’t see my safety glasses is because the video is about the grinder, not my face. And with the platten, if I’m being honest if forgot about it for the better part of the last few years and I plan to start using it if I come across a project that I feel needs it! At the end of the day, this video is about a budget grinder, and I would have to say that I covered the points I wanted to. Thanks for the recommendation on the belt switch, I’ll have look into it and try it out sometime!