1x42in Viel Sander/Grinder. Thoughts as a beginners grinder?

[jamaico]

Hi everyone, I'm new to knife-making and I'm starting to gather some equipment for my home shop. I've done some work with a mentor, and he has a nice 2hp 2x72 4-wheel grinder, something that many of the builders here have, and I found it very easy to work on. I unfortunately don't have the funds to purchase that level of machine quite yet, and as many newcomers to the forum, I'm trying to find a more budget-friendly entry level grinder.

I found this Viel knife grinder/sander at Lee Valley Tools, it is a 1/4hp - 1/2hp 1x42, 2-wheel setup, and I would like some feedback / thoughts. It is extremely simple, with the drive wheel connecting directly to the driveshaft of the motor, and the upper wheel being spring-loaded to keep tension on the belt. The top wheel is under 6", so I assume wouldn't be appropriate for hollow grinding. There is a tool rest capable of all sort of angles, and a flat platten. It is all metal construction, and seems very sturdy. You can see the listing here: http://vieltools.com/detail.php?p=MTU3Mg== (this combo has the 1/3hp motor, but it is the same setup regardless of which motor you choose). There are several attachments for bevels and other types of grinds / sharpening.

This setup would cost approx. $200CAD, which, if it works as well as I'm hoping it will, seems like a good bargain.

Does anyone here have any experience with this brand? Are there disadvantages to using a 1" belt that can't be surmounted? Will a 1/2hp motor be enough? Any thoughts or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Salem Straub]

I've had that little Viel grinder for ten years now. It was my first. It is quite possible to make knives with it, I made a lot for sure. With a 1/2 horse motor it is capable of grinding steel with some power. Tracking is super basic but relatively effective. The tool rest was aluminum, for knifemaking steel is better and so I riveted a steel top on years back. You won't be able to do much but profile and grind things flat with it, a little contouring on the top wheel now and then, or a little slack belting in the short section available for that. Handles can be shaped with it but it's not the best for that...

It's a much better machine than the 1x32 grinders some people start out on, but not even as good as a 2x48 for knifemaking. Also, when I got it the price was like $60 US from Lee Valley. That was totally worth it. $200 canadian sounds a bit much, unless that's with a motor in which case scrounging your own would be a much better deal.

I have other, bigger grinders now but I still use the Viel almost every day. I sharpen drill bits with it, deburr small metal items, flatten pin ends, shorten screws, sharpen knives a lot, sharpen chisels and other tools, and plenty other stuff too.

 

[mnavarro]

Hey how you doing. I have this very same grinder that I picked up at an estate sale. Like you said it is a very simple set tul and belt changes are done in no time. The tracking is sometimes hard to dial in after some adjustments its works fine. Mine has a 1/2 hp motor on it it is very strong. I have been able to do hollow grinds on it but its a bit tricky. I've made small drop points and a couple larger camp knives. I guess with all things practice makes perfect. I set mine up laying it down on the tool rest. I use the wheel for shaping the handle and hollow grinding. For now my works ok,but I'm saving up for the TW90 grinder this to me is the ultimate grinder. With the 1 inch belts it takes a longer time to move through metal but it works. I think overall it is a good little machine.

 

[mnavarro]

Here are some pics of the grinder. The last one is the newest knife I completed its 1084 with SS pins and buckeye scales.

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[jamaico]

Thanks for the replies, they've been super helpful.

Salem Straub, the $200 was including the motor, but the pulley system itself was about $90. My neighbor had an old 1/2hp electric motor, but the driveshaft was to big to fit in the drive wheel. Do you happen to know what diameter I need to look for / what diameter is the driveshaft on the motor you're using? The fact that you've had it for 10 years is encouraging, especially if I can work around it's limitations.

mnavarro, that is very similar to how I was thinking I would set it up, but I need to build a stand anyways, and I was going to lay it on the opposite side, so the tool rest would be on the top and I could still use it. That's a great looking knife, and good to know that with a little practice it would be possible to hollow grind and shape with that top wheel.

I wonder if there's a way to replace the top wheel with an 8" wheel, or if it would just be easier / cheaper to buy a different unit.

 

[Salem Straub]

Repalcing the top wheel with an 8" wheel seems pretty implausible to me. The shaft diameter of my 1/2 horse motor is 3/4" actually, so the drive wheel was bored to fit that from I think 5/8". You should be able to find out what it is on line somewhere.