Ellis Belt Grinder

[Powerstrokinit]

Does anyone have a Ellis belt grinder, or used one? I am thinking about getting one since it looks like the best deal for a good sized belt grinder. I have been looking for a good used belt grinder for a while with no luck. The Burr-King line looks like it is out of my price range. It seems like people rave about the Ellis quality.

Thanks,
Tobin

[KB Fabrications]

The Ellis is a nice unit. I don't own one but they have them at my LWS from time to time. If all you need is a 2.5" belt width then it will fit the bill quite nicely. I almost bought one but I ended up with a Wilton 6" X 48" belt machine that also has a 12" disc.

[Powerstrokinit]

Kevin-

Thanks for the info. I think I will go with the Wilton as it has a larger belt and will save me some $$$. How easy are the belts to get (can you get them from lowes or Home Depot)? Also, can you sand on the wheel part (rounded part)?

Thanks,
Tobin

[KB Fabrications]

Kevin-

Thanks for the info. I think I will go with the Wilton as it has a larger belt and will save me some $$$. How easy are the belts to get (can you get them from lowes or Home Depot)? Also, can you sand on the wheel part (rounded part)?

Thanks,
Tobin

Tobin,
I get my belts locally but you can also order them thru Enco, MSC, or other industrial suppliers. I am not certain about the big boxes but it is possible they would carry that size.

You can sand on the rounded part easily. I have the Wilton 4200A and on mine the belt will go vertical or horizontal and the top comes off easily with a threaded handwheel exposing the upper drum. Hope that helps.

[Powerstrokinit]

Were did you get your 4200 from? That is what I am looking at. A little more $$ than the woodworking unit that Northern-Tool carries, but more more sturdier looking.

Thanks,
Tobin

[lramberson]

I can't speak for the Wilton machine, but I can for theEllis.

It has been one of my most used purchases and the belts give a very respectable service life.

I grind alot of edges and have even used it to cope tubing on a banister project and even though it is not desiged for this it handled it well.

This is a pretty powerful machine and walked away from my previous import unit that was given to a friend. (he gets all my hand me downs)

I got my Ellis for a respectable price with it's big Brother the 1600, my most used shop tool...LOL

[KB Fabrications]

Were did you get your 4200 from? That is what I am looking at. A little more $$ than the woodworking unit that Northern-Tool carries, but more more sturdier looking.

Thanks,
Tobin

I got mine on sale at MSC for $1299 back in Feb. I think. I would for sure stay away from the WW version as there is a reason for the big difference in price. The 4200A is built like a brick ****house and will handle just about anything you can throw at it. Check around because they go on sale quite often at MSC and Enco. Good luck.

[tackit]

I can't speak for the Wilton machine, but I can for theEllis.

It has been one of my most used purchases and the belts give a very respectable service life.

I grind alot of edges and have even used it to cope tubing on a banister project and even though it is not desiged for this it handled it well.

This is a pretty powerful machine and walked away from my previous import unit that was given to a friend. (he gets all my hand me downs)

I got my Ellis for a respectable price with it's big Brother the 1600, my most used shop tool...LOL

I agree with lramberson ....I have had mine for nearly three trouble free years and would buy another without hesitation.

[lgjhn]

I agree with Kevin. I'd lean real hard on the Wilton 4200A. I bought mine just about the same time he did and have used the heck out of it. I also got it on sale for around $1234.00 but from ENCO (they say they'll beat any advertised price by 5% or something like that). I pointed out the sales price that MSC had running and got it for that price less 5%. I think the ENCO regular price ($1805) is a tad high for this unit and would wait till it was on sale again. Its a very solid-built machine. I've been primarily using Norton blue 60 grit on it and its just plain mean on a piece of steel...and skin too! Don't get your fingers too close as its just as quick to rip open flesh as it is on grinding steel....don't ask me how I know...

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=430&PMITEM=@&PMAKA

[Maliboost]

FWIW, Im just a simple home user & occationaly make stuff for my hot rod. What I did for one job that I had a few parts to de-burr was to take my 3" belt sander & turn it upside down, & stick it into my vice. I would not trust it to try to true up a piece, but to de-burr it seemed to work pretty well.

Bob