Yes, you can absolutely use it for metal. The sandpapers for wood and metal aren't really that different, and the fears about getting flammable thermite are ridiculous. Thousands of people have bench sanders that they use for metal and wood interchangeably all day long without any issues. The only realistic problem is if you sand down a lot of metal, it does get metal dust everywhere, which can be bad for the motor and your lungs. And if you sand a piece of wood right afterwards without changing the sanding belt or cleaning it off, you'll impregnate metal dust into the wood. Answer from Paul_The_Builder on reddit.com
Red Label Abrasives
redlabelabrasives.com › home › grizzly sanding belts
Grizzly Sanding Belts | Shop Belts For Your Grizzly Sander
Shop Sanding Belts For Your Grizzly Belt Sander Grizzly Industrial builds high-performance belt sanders for woodworking, metalwork, and knife-making applications. From compact models to wide belt machines, Grizzly products are known for sanding, ...
Grizzly Industrial
grizzly.com › products › grizzly-3-x-79-metal-belt-grinder-sander › g0489
Grizzly G0489 - 3" x 79" Metal Belt Grinder / Sander - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.
3" x 79" Metal Belt Grinder / Sander
G0489 3" x 79" Metal Belt Grinder/Sander
A belt grinder/sander designed to give you versatility and performance.
The Grizzly G0489 3" x 79" Metal Belt Grinder/Sander is made specially for metal workers.
It uses 79" sanding belts that resist heating up, even with a surface speed of 3900 FPM.
The sanding head tilts from 0°––30° to suit the job at hand.
Sand against the rubber contact wheel using the supplied work rest or sand flat surfaces against the 3" x 20-1/2" graphite-backed platen.
Covers are supplied with the machine to expose only the part of the sander you want to use.
The spark trap p
Price US$1,075.00
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Grizzly G9962ZX 24" Wide Belt Sander - YouTube
Grizzly
grizzly.com › belt-disc-sanders
Belt/Disc Sanders - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.
Shape and finish with Grizzly belt, disc, and combination sanders. Shop sanders from 1/4 to 4 HP for your woodworking projects.
Amazon
amazon.ca › Grizzly-T10745-Hand-Held-Belt-Sander › dp › B0121U1GI6
Grizzly Industrial T10745-1/2 x 18" Handheld Belt Sander, Belt Sanders - Amazon Canada
1/2" x 18"Air Belt Sander, Mini Belt Sander for Woodworking/Metal Working Handheld All Angle Grinder Belt Sander with 3 Belts (36/40/60#) Industrial Pneumatic Tool15
Grizzly
grizzly.com › metalworking-sanders
Metal Sanders - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.
Shop Grizzly's belt, disc, and combination sanders for the perfect machine to shape and refine your metal workpieces with consistent, professional results.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/tools › ok to use grizzly sander for wood and metal?
r/Tools on Reddit: Ok to use Grizzly sander for wood AND metal?
April 18, 2021 -
I am looking at buying a 6x48 belt / 9" disc grizzly sander on Craigslist.
Link to new version below
https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-6-x-48-belt-9-disc-z-series-combo-sander/g1014z?gclid=CjwKCAjwjuqDBhAGEiwAdX2cj_IH0oP8oMbr0mai4SW1EiZjeyt4LjNVhMwO30_pM53DHJjDODKloxoCeFUQAvD_BwE
I want to use this for both wood and metal. The manual says not to use it for metal.
However, based on research on various forums online, it appears there are people who successfully use sanders like this for both wood and metal. However, there were certain caveats, such as 1) you have to use different discs/belts for metal and wood; 2) you have to clean off any sawdust before using for metal; 3) you can't use the same belt for different types of metal (mixing aluminum and steel shavings might create flammable thermite); and 4) you have to understand that metal flakes could reduce motor life.
Am I nuts to consider this? Thanks in advance.
Top answer 1 of 2
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Yes, you can absolutely use it for metal. The sandpapers for wood and metal aren't really that different, and the fears about getting flammable thermite are ridiculous. Thousands of people have bench sanders that they use for metal and wood interchangeably all day long without any issues. The only realistic problem is if you sand down a lot of metal, it does get metal dust everywhere, which can be bad for the motor and your lungs. And if you sand a piece of wood right afterwards without changing the sanding belt or cleaning it off, you'll impregnate metal dust into the wood.
2 of 2
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My dad has that exact same sander, and we use it to do exactly what you are talking about (smooth edges, and maybe some minimal shaping) on Al and mild steel tube all the time. It works perfectly (even without super-high end belts like that one guy is going on and on about). We use the regular "red" belts, which I think might actually be garnet (softer than even AlumOxide). The only thing I will say is that the sliding rest for the belt still has a reasonably large gap between itself and the belt (this may be adjustable, not sure. It's at my dad's shop at the moment), so if you aren't careful, it can "suck" thin sheet stock down between the rest and belt. It's rather alarming the first time it happens, lol.
The Home Depot
homedepot.com › tools › power tools › sanders › belt sanders
Grizzly Industrial - Belt Sanders - The Home Depot
Get free shipping on qualified Grizzly Industrial Belt Sanders products or Buy Online Pick Up in Store today in the Tools Department.
Grizzly Industrial
grizzly.com › products › grizzly-knife-grinder-sander-and-buffer › g1015
Grizzly G1015 - Knife Grinder, Sander, and Buffer - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.
Knife Grinder, Sander, and Buffer
G1015 Knife Grinder, Belt Sander, and Buffer
Perfect for grinding metal and freehand shaping.
The long belt arm on the G1015 Knife Belt Grinder, Belt Sander, and Buffer is exactly what you need for grinding metal and freehand shaping. Perfect for knife makers, the 2" x 72" belt quietly runs at 3600 FPM complements of the full 1 HP motor. A full range of replacement belts are available.
The belt arm tilts from 0-90°. The belt can be changed in seconds with a quick-release mechanism. Belt tracking adjustment is as easy as rotating the adjustment knob.
Although we call this a "Knife Belt Grinder
Price US$726.00
Grizzly Industrial
grizzly.com › products › grizzly-4-x-48-2-wheel-metal-belt-grinder-sander › g0897
Grizzly G0897 - 4" x 48" 2-Wheel Metal Belt Grinder/Sander - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.
4" x 48" 2-Wheel Metal Belt Grinder/Sander
G0897 4" x 48" 2-Wheel Metal Belt Grinder/Sander
Suitable for any shop, home, or professional.
Featuring the popular 4" wide belt, the G0897 4" x 48" 2-Wheel Belt Grinder/Sander is great for knife making and many more uses.
The powerful 2 HP motor moves the belt at 4500 FPM, allowing you to easily remove material from even the toughest steel.
The large 4-3/4" x 11-1/8" platen allows plenty of space for flat grinding.
The work rest allows for end grinding. A spark trap and eye shield protect the user from being sprayed with sparks.
Adjusting the belt tracking is as easy as turning the belt trac
Price US$645.00
Reddit
reddit.com › r/knifemaking › new(?) grizzly 2x42 knife making belt sander // thoughts and opinions?
r/knifemaking on Reddit: New(?) Grizzly 2x42 Knife Making Belt Sander // Thoughts and Opinions?
November 11, 2023 -
I was curious if anyone else has seen the, what I believe is new, 2x42 belt sander from Grizzly aimed at knife making. Grizzly 2x42 Knife Making Belt Sander
I am a very occasional hobbyist knife maker and I currently own a 1x30 from Grizzly I bought years ago. I'd love a proper 2x48 machine one day but those often cost closer to $1000 with a motor and VFD from what I've seen. So at initial glances when I saw this, the adjustable positing stand and VFD for $300 I got very excited until I saw it was run off a 3/4HP motor. This would be an obvious step up from the 1/3HP motor on my 1x30 but from the posts I've seen its still VERY anemic for a 2" belt.
Obviously this thing wouldn't be appropriate for more serious use cases but I am wondering what you all think about this? Its a bit outside my realm of expertise but I imagine you could swap out the motor for something more powerful down the road without too much of a hassle.
For my use case my only concern is the motor being so underpowered for what you're doing that it becomes more of a hassle to use than the upgrade provides convenience.
I don't think it comes across like this but just for the record I'm not a grizzly fanboy in any sense. The 1x30 seemed the best quality 1x30 I could afford at the time I bought it and I just came across this while doing my period window shopping of more serious 2x48/2x72 machines. The brand overlap is purely coincidental
Top answer 1 of 7
5
I'd grab one if I were just starting again. A bit underpowered so it's not going to eat metal, but for that price, how could I argue. Just being able to fit 2" belts and have a fixed platen is a huge step up from a 1x30.
2 of 7
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$400 to your door, taxes included. You could make a 2x72 for about $50 more. You'll have to make a couple of key components to stay at that price. VFD isn't essential. I don't have it nor feel I need it. You'll need to make the front plate that holds the front 2 axles & make your platen. You'll end up buying the wheels & a motor. I got a 1.5hp single phase for $130 on amazon. It has plenty of power. I also bought the glass filled nylon wheels($70) to save $30 & they work great. You will need a drill press & a welder or a friend with these to do this build. It works great & is half the cost. I can send a link to the plans if you wish. There is also a dirt cheap version on the site that can be built for even less. You will outgrow a 2x42. It's a matter of when, not if. For those interested in the plans. The first link is the dirt cheap 2x72 & the second is the standard one. https://dcknives.blogspot.com/p/budget-2-x-72-belt-grinder-build.html https://dcknives.blogspot.com/p/2-x-72-belt-grinder.html Building a 2x72 is a fucking task for sure, no candy coating it, it's a big project to undertake but the end product WILL absolutely take your knifemaking to the next level. I order my belts from trugrit.com as their selection is huge & their prices are very competitive. I hope someone finds this useful.
Grizzly Industrial
grizzly.com › products › grizzly-3-x-79-metal-belt-grinder-sander › g0952
Grizzly G0952 - 3" x 79" Metal Belt Grinder/Sander - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.
3" x 79" Metal Belt Grinder/Sander
G0952 3" x 79" Metal Belt Grinder/Sander
Designed for aggressive grinding and sanding with a small footprint.
The Grizzly G0952 3" x 79" Metal Belt Grinder/Sander is ready for production work in your metal shop.
It uses 79" sanding belts that resist heating up, even with a surface speed of 5018 FPM.
Sand against the 3"-wide rubber contact wheel using the supplied work rest.
The removable spark trays collect up the grindings at one end of the machine.
Belt adjustments are easy with use of the single knob tracking adjustment.
Tracking adjustment is as simple as turning the single-knob adjuster.
Price US$950.00
The Home Depot
homedepot.com › p › Grizzly-Industrial-4-in-x-48-in-2-Wheel-Metal-Belt-Grinder-Sander-G0897 › 324191090
Grizzly Industrial 4 in. x 48 in. 2-Wheel Metal Belt Grinder/Sander G0897 - The Home Depot
Grizzly Industrial 4 in. x 48 in. 2-Wheel Metal Belt Grinder/Sander G0897
Featuring the popular 4 in. wide belt, the G0897 4 in. x 48 in. 2-Wheel Belt Grinder/Sander is great for knife making and many more uses. The powerful 2 HP motor moves the belt at 4500 FPM, allowing you to easily remove material from even the toughest steel. The large 4-3/4 in. x 11-1/8 in. platen allows plenty of space for flat grinding. The work rest allows for end grinding. A spark trap and eye shield protect the user from being sprayed with sparks. Adjusting the belt tracking is as easy as turning the belt tracking adjustment knob. The rigid cast-iron frame reduces chatter during operation
Price US$699.00
US Tool Depot
ustooldepot.com › home › metalworking equipment › grizzly industrial › sanders › grizzly g0489 - 3" x 79" 2-wheel metal belt grinder/sander
Grizzly G0489 - 3" x 79" 2-Wheel Metal Belt Grinder/Sander - US Tool Depot
Grizzly G0489 - 3" x 79" 2-Wheel Metal Belt Grinder/Sander
The Grizzly G0489 3" x 79" 2-Wheel Metal Belt Grinder/Sander is made specially for metal workers and is designed to give you versatility and performance. It uses 79" long sanding belts that resist heating up, even with a surface speed of 3900 FPM. The sanding head tilts from 0°–30° to suit the job at hand. Sand against the rubber contact wheel using the supplied work rest or sand flat surfaces against the 3" x 20-1/2" graphite-backed platen. Covers are supplied with the machine to expose only the part of the sander you want to use. The spark trap picks up the grindings at one end
Price US$1,195.00
Grizzly
grizzly.com › sanders
Sanders - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.
Sander/Grinders: These are powerful, heavy-duty machines primarily for metalworking. They pair aggressive belts with a platen to handle serious material removal, weld smoothing, and deburring steel, aluminum, and other hard metals.
eBay
ebay.com › home & garden › tools & workshop equipment › power tools › sanders › grizzly belt sanders
Grizzly Belt Sanders for sale - eBay
Brand New · Grizzly · $175.00 · or Best Offer · Local Pickup · IY J5 QV V2 · 2 filters applied · Type: Belt Sander- Selected · Brand: Grizzly- Selected ·
RANSBURG
pittsburghsprayequip.com › collections › woodworking-sanders › products › grizzly-industrial-3-x-79-2-wheel-metal-belt-grinder-sander
Grizzly Industrial 3" x 79" 2-Wheel Metal Belt Grinder/Sander
The Grizzly G0489 3" x 79" 2-Wheel Metal Belt Grinder/Sander is made specially for metal workers. It uses 79" sanding belts that resist heating up, even with a surface speed of 3900 FPM.
Grizzly Industrial
grizzly.com › products › grizzly-6-x-48-belt-9-disc-z-series-combo-sander › g1014z
Grizzly G1014Z - 6" x 48" Belt/9" Disc Z Series Combo Sander - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.
6" x 48" Belt/9" Disc Z Series Combo Sander
G1014Z 6" Belt / 9" Disc Combination Sander
Sized to fit the mid-to-large workshop and designed for accuracy and efficiency.
The G1014Z 6" x 48" Belt / 9" Disc Combination Sander can be used to smooth the faces, edges, or ends of workpieces using the sanding belt or the sanding disc.
The 6" x 48" sanding belt tilts 90° and can be used in both horizontal and vertical positions, or any angle between, based on your needs. A full range of replacement belts are available.
The 6" deep x 12-1/4" wide cast-iron work table supports workpieces when using the 9" sanding disc or the belt when
it is in the
Price US$595.00
The Home Shop Machinist
bbs.homeshopmachinist.net › forum › general
Grizzly Belt Sander - The Home Shop Machinist & Machinist's Workshop Magazine's BBS
More belts variety 4. Better belt tracking 5. Quiet motor. 6. No vibration. 7. Ability to setup table for any grinding angle. 8. Many attachments are available. 9. Can take A LOT of metal in a hurry if you need it. ... I have been looking at getting one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Kalamazoo-1x42.../dp/B00065U7QQ It would make a nice addition to my 12" disk sander.
Amazon
amazon.ca › Grizzly-G1015-Knife-Sander-Buffer › dp › B0000DD0AL
Grizzly Industrial G1015 - Knife Grinder, Sander, and Buffer : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement
Without a doubt this is the best knife belt sander around. Features: Motor: 1 HP 110V single-phase 14A Motor speed: 1725 RPM Belt size: 2" x 72"–76" range Belt speed: 3600 FPM Left arbor: 8-1/2" extension with 5/8" arbor Height with belt arm horizontal: 11-1/2" Height with belt arm vertical: 39" Overall width: 29-1/2" Cast iron body All ball bearing construction Approximate shipping weight: 111-Pound Buffing wheel not included.
Midwest Technology
midwesttechnology.com › home › cte › metalworking › buffers, grinders & sharpeners › grizzly belt sander/grinder, 2" x 42"
Grizzly Belt Sander/Grinder | Midwest Technology
Grizzly Belt Sander/Grinder, 2" x 42"
Description · Resources · This versatile knife-making belt sander/grinder is lightweight and portable. The internally-grounded, variable-speed motor allows you to dial in the exact grind you need for the perfect balance between material removal and minimizing heat. The sanding frame tilts 90° for horizontal or vertical knife shaping. The tool rest tilts 5°–120°, swivels, and adjusts in and out from the belt. It features a durable graphite-coated platen that reduces friction and can further help to prevent overheating and “bluing” of your knife blade. The platen tilts from -30° to 30° forward a
Price US$579.00