Question about shapening tools,another approach

["Bob Hackett" <kinfolk@zzzzzzz>]

  If  you're planning to buy a machine for sharpening/grinding then you may
want to look at a belt sander which is comparable in cost to a better grade
grinder ,either wet or dry.
  Wet grinders tend to be sloppy and a problem to clean,true and maintain.I
have yet to find one here in the US that I'm impressed with other than the
Tormec which is far too high priced for my taste.
 If drawing the temper due to overheating is a concern then a belt sander
will be a better tool than a dry grinder and will be better suited to
grinding stone tools than a bench grinder,here's why.
 Any wheel type grinder will leave a hollow ground bevel due to it's
geometery.While a hollow grind may be good for things such as woodworking
tools that need to be honed to an ultrafine edge a hollow ground bevel
doesn't have the support or longevity that a flat or convex bevel has when
used for high impact applications like metal or stone.Flat or convex bevels
are where a sander really shines(pun intended).The entrained air in a belt
sander causes it to grind cooler than a comparable grit wheel and since the
surface area is larger than a wheel that also helps keep things cool.A belt
sander also allows you to change grits or mediums far more quickly than you
can with a grinder.
  I just find the belt sander to be a far more useful and versatile tool
than a bench grinder,for about the same money.BTW-if you find you need to
hollow grind a tool,the belt sander will do that too.There's a reason
machines like Burr Kings are so popular with folks like pro
knifemakers.While you may not need a Burr King(I've been lusting after one
for years),one of it's smaller less costly brothers will serve just as well.
  Just my $.02,YMMV.

Mainely,Bob