Grinder question

[jkaczyn18]

Ok I am about to purchase a grinder to step up a notch from my Craftsman. I have narrowed it down to the D5010 2 1/2x48 grinder from Texas Knife Supply, or a GIB from Polar Bear Forge. I don't have a ton of money to throw at this so while the 48 inch would be cheaper, I just don't know if it will have the versatility of the 2x72. I also can't fund a whole lot of info on it. If anyone has worked on one or owns one any input would be appreciated.

[SBuzek]

I have ground on the 5010 and don't like it.You can't hollow grind because of clearance on the motor side,flat grinding is OK but don't care for doing it horizontally.Also the odd size belts make belt selection limited.It's not a bad machine just limited.
IMHO you would be much better off with the GIB.
Stan

[TASelf]

If you can afford a GIB get it, but make sure you understand the additional costs to get it running. If I was looking at something ready to go in the D5010 price range I'd get a Grizzly knife grinder for the same price. I've been using my second hand Grizzly since 2003 and I'm pleased with it. I've had people tell me I only like the Grizzly because I've never used a "good" grinder. That may be the case, but I've got a Beaumont horizontal edge grinder also and it's pissed me off with it's idiosyncrasies a lot more than the Grizzly ever has. Something to think about, hope it helps.

[jkaczyn18]

That was my only reason for considering the 5010 was price. I know with the GIB it would cost more to get it up and running. I would love to find a used Grizzly or something along those lines, but they are not the easiest thing to find. I have been looking and either missed them or did not have quite enough money to purchase at the time.

[TASelf]

The 5010 is actually more $$$ than the Grizzly...but with the GIB you can save up and buy a piece at a time. I am sure you will be much happier with a well built GIB than either of the other choices...depends on how patient you are. Since you've already got a Craftsmen grinder why not save up and get a really nice one?

[ecos]

I've no experience on either of those grinders so I can't comment on them...


...but have you considered making your own? I've owned various grinders 1x30, 1x42, 4x36, 6x48 and 2x72 is my favorite for knives hands down. The Grizzly I had worked very well for the price..it runs strong and tracking isn't bad but some makers feel it spins too fast (not a problem for me) and if hollow grinding the motor can get in the way. After the Grizz I made my own 2x72 and it ended up costing me less and works better....its much more versatile being able to switch wheels within a minute. If you scrounge you can build one pretty cheap.

[jkaczyn18]

I've no experience on either of those grinders so I can't comment on them...


...but have you considered making your own? I've owned various grinders 1x30, 1x42, 4x36, 6x48 and 2x72 is my favorite for knives hands down. The Grizzly I had worked very well for the price..it runs strong and tracking isn't bad but some makers feel it spins too fast (not a problem for me) and if hollow grinding the motor can get in the way. After the Grizz I made my own 2x72 and it ended up costing me less and works better....its much more versatile being able to switch wheels within a minute. If you scrounge you can build one pretty cheap.

I don't really want to build one for now. I don't mind the GIB because it is already cut and everything will fit. I haven't really considered the Grizzly a whole lot, mainly because of what I have read here. I have mainly been looking at a Coote, the GIB, the 5010, and maybe a Pheer. For my first one besides the Craftsman I would just want to get a better feeling of what I like and dislike before building from scratch.

[strahd71]

have you considered this?

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...00-kit-grinder


jake

[12345678910]

I've got a Beaumont horizontal edge grinder also and it's pissed me off with it's idiosyncrasies a lot more than the Grizzly ever has.

Can you tell me what you didn't like about it and how you would want it to be?

[jkaczyn18]

have you considered this?

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...00-kit-grinder


jake

I saw that awhile back and totally forgot about it. That might just be my best bet. I like that you are able to buy the hardware kit with it.

[TASelf]

Can you tell me what you didn't like about it and how you would want it to be?

Tracking issues that increase exponentially with pressure, it's got a 1.5 hp motor that is much easier to bog down than the Grizz.

[Bama]

I have used most grinders, kmg, nwg, bader,tg90, and I own a GIB but only because of the price I would suggest the GIB for a low cost build just do like I did get a regular single speed motor and use it single speed til you can afford a vfd, I even have a motor I'm about to sell that would fit it.
Anthony

[TASelf]

I saw that awhile back and totally forgot about it. That might just be my best bet. I like that you are able to buy the hardware kit with it.

I was thinking about getting one of those myself but when I added in the price of the wheels to the complete kit price I was at the price for a KMG.

[ron_m80]

You are in Georgia, Ken Erickson a respected knife maker at Bladeforums was selling some old grinders (I think it was NC area) not far from Georgia.

[TASelf]

I have used most grinders, kmg, nwg, bader,tg90, and I own a GIB but only because of the price I would suggest the GIB for a low cost build just do like I did get a regular single speed motor and use it single speed til you can afford a vfd, I even have a motor I'm about to sell that would fit it.
Anthony

If you could own any of the ones you've used which would it be?

[Brian Ayres]

While the GIB is cut out, it's still a bit of work to assemble. I love mine. I have an 8" wheel, small wheel attachment, 48" radius platen, flat platen with 2" and 4" wheels.

I bought my GIB not because it was less than a KMG, but because I could pay for it over time.
You could put a 1ph 1hp motor on it with a couple budget wheels for $600 with some scrounging for parts like the bolts and tool arms. It depends on your mechanical ability too. I welded some of my GIB and it saved time tapping.

I have spent closer to $1,900 but also did a gas shock instead of a spring, added a VFD and 3ph motor. A GIB is designed as a direct drive system. Step pulleys have been used but if you want cheap now and expandable I'd do direct drive. Add a 1725 RPM 1ph motor and later of you want variable speed pull that motor, use it to build a 9" disc grinder and put on a 3ph motor with a VFD.

Just my two cents.

[jkaczyn18]

You are in Georgia, Ken Erickson a respected knife maker at Bladeforums was selling some old grinders (I think it was NC area) not far from Georgia.

From his site it looks like Wisconsin. Little to far for me. Thanks for the help though.

[Bama]

I forgot I have also used Tommy Gann's Hard-core-products Grinder , Price not withstanding it would be between Travis wuertz TG90 and the Hard-core products grinder, with the KMG behind them. The TG90 is just so versatle, with the tooling arm and vertical and horizontal , I have not got to use one with the surface grinder attachment though and I would really like to, But on the other hand I have bought several cars cheaper than those grinders lol

[jkaczyn18]

I forgot I have also used Tommy Gann's Hard-core-products Grinder , Price not withstanding it would be between Travis wuertz TG90 and the Hard-core products grinder, with the KMG behind them. The TG90 is just so versatle, with the tooling arm and vertical and horizontal , I have not got to use one with the surface grinder attachment though and I would really like to, But on the other hand I have bought several cars cheaper than those grinders lol

Haha yea those are a little out of my price range.

[quint]

I was in a similar boat as you are, Ive decided to build a NWG, had thought about the wilmont and I may build that one later down the road but right now the NWG is cheaper for me to put together.