2x72 Grinder

Brian Ayres said:
To answer the why it's nicer. Well, it's cheaper as you mentioned. The fit and finish is excellent and mine has a horizontal tilt option. I have 2HP with a 6" drive wheel so it has good SFPM for ceramic belts.
If you had one that didn't track well I would guess that whoever put the drive wheel on when it was assembled didn't line it up properly.
I agree about the tool rest. I plan on buying a D-D tool rest to solve that issue.
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Yeah probably so Brian, getting wheel alignment is always and issue, for grinders that require assembly.


Was yours significantly cheaper than a bader with those options? Did it come with a sealed VFD or open?


I think this is probably a great option for someone already operating in the 1.25" tooling arm eco-system. However, unless the plan is to buy a TW-90 and then supplement with baders or esteems, I wouldn't recommend this route to anybody, unless they've already got tooling somehow.
 
I already have a GIB and 9" disc so I just wired in a switch and run all 3 machines off the same KBAC VFD.

It was a lot cheaper than a comparable Bader as it turned out Brett needed plumbing work and that is what I do for a living so I traded him my labor for part of the cost.

Even wo the labor discount it was several hundred dollars cheaper than a Bader including the horizontal tilt. Honestly, I think his grinders are underpriced so they are a good value for the money.
 
Brian Ayres said:
I already have a GIB and 9" disc so I just wired in a switch and run all 3 machines off the same KBAC VFD.


It was a lot cheaper than a comparable Bader as it turned out Brett needed plumbing work and that is what I do for a living so I traded him my labor for part of the cost.


Even wo the labor discount it was several hundred dollars cheaper than a Bader including the horizontal tilt. Honestly, I think his grinders are underpriced so they are a good value for the money.
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Can you shoot me a pm/email? I would love to chat about how you did this as I plan on doing the same thing...


In my opinion if you want a horizontal grinder, there are only 2 main ones to consider in my research - the Wilmont TAG or the TW90 - both flagship products as stated.

I just ordered a TAG-101 package C after much internal debate and turmoil lol. I have called both Travis (Wuertz machine works) and Chris (Wilmont grinders) and spoken at length with each. They were both very helpful but I did notice that Chris seemed to be more on spot about returning calls, also he will have me set up quicker (less than a week to get the grinder in hand) vs. 4-6 week wait on the TW90. Plus I am going to drive up and get it since it's only 1 state over ;)

As stated you can go wrong w/ neither, there are some features about the TW90 that I like better (it was built from the ground up to be on a rotating chasis, the small wheel attachment is sweet, the ratcheting belt tensioner, etc), but in the end I think the TAG will fit my needs a little better. I really like that:

- the TAG's platen rotates, the tool rest arm is just amazing and much more versatile than the TW90's imho (for example, you can just rotate it over and use one of the 2" contact platen wheels for contouring if you want)
- it's got the three arm inserts for broader applications - I can use an 80" belt and have 2 contouring wheels set up at one time
- my existing contact wheels fit (1/2" arbor) - to be fair, Travis stated he could do a mod to make these compatible on his machine also, very kind of him.
- my small wheels are compatible already (the ones from USA knifemaker) - only problem w/ these wheels is that you can't do fuller work I don't believe
- it can take a 14" contact wheel no problem - for the TW90 Travis would have to get you a different arm to make it work
- Travis' KMG SG attachment will work with the TAG as well if I need it to, but I will probably just end up getting a used SG for cheaper and converting it to belts - Chris was very helpful here and is more than happy to work w/ me on getting this set up
- It's cheaper, even after getting everything I need (3 contact wheel arms, small wheel holder), no by much but a few hundred dollars or so is nice to save!

I was really torn to be sure... the TW90 is an exceptional piece of equipment but in the end the TAG is what I went with!
 
For the money I'd be getting a Wilmont over a TW-90 too.
Chris was pretty active on this board when I started making knives in 2010 and I like him. I also like his products. I've never heard a single person say anything but good things about his service.
Javan knows what he's talking about too. If it's a horizontal option either a TW-90 or Wilmont is far superior to a Bader or Esteem that tips.
 
We'er getting ready to order a complete package Esteem..In fact, we are sending the check out for it tomorrow.
 
FYI

I am using Esteem new larger (length & width) tool rest with 1" deep notch on table for belt. My old one is rusting for now. I will cut a deep notch to recommission it - no more blades swallowing tricks.
 
Everybody has a different set of circumstances, but in my experience, the horizontal grinder thing ends up going like this: Either you rarely ever use it, and could probably get by without it, or you need a dedicated one.

One of my TAG grinders has flipping plates, but I rarely use it horizontal. I wouldn't want to live without the LB that's permanently mounted horizontal however. Of course I use this almost exclusively for making slipjoints, and almost never find it needed for fixed blades. Mostly it stays equipped with a small wheel holder and a tool rest. It lets me do fine detail work on the insides of springs and tang radiuses that are a bitch with a vertical grinder. I also use my disc grinder on every pocket knife, but rarely on fixed blades except for fittings.


The TW-90 has a slicker flipping mechanism, no doubt about it. I know first hand that Chris at Wilmont wasn't willing to copy that from Travis, regardless of the fact that it's a basic and fundamental design. I'm sure he'll come up with something else eventually. Whether that's a deciding factor, as I said before, I think really has to do with space.
 
Just like you, I rarely use my Esteem horizonal option. Eventually, I bolted down the main base. Main problem: horiz blows dust every where in my knife room - for now, it's not enough benefit to figure out to configure duct & water-bucket.
javand said:
Everybody has a different set of circumstances, but in my experience, the horizontal grinder thing ends up going like this: Either you rarely ever use it, and could probably get by without it, or you need a dedicated one.

One of my TAG grinders has flipping plates, but I rarely use it horizontal. I wouldn't want to live without the LB that's permanently mounted horizontal however. Of course I use this almost exclusively for making slipjoints, and almost never find it needed for fixed blades. Mostly it stays equipped with a small wheel holder and a tool rest. It lets me do fine detail work on the insides of springs and tang radiuses that are a bitch with a vertical grinder. I also use my disc grinder on every pocket knife, but rarely on fixed blades except for fittings.


The TW-90 has a slicker flipping mechanism, no doubt about it. I know first hand that Chris at Wilmont wasn't willing to copy that from Travis, regardless of the fact that it's a basic and fundamental design. I'm sure he'll come up with something else eventually. Whether that's a deciding factor, as I said before, I think really has to do with space.
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That's us, we have no real need of a horizontal grinder..Been using a Coote for years so you can imagine what kind of upgrade this 2hp esteem with a nema 4 vfd will be..
 
bluntcut said:
Just like you, I rarely use my Esteem horizonal option. Eventually, I bolted down the main base. Main problem: horiz blows dust every where in my knife room - for now, it's not enough benefit to figure out to configure duct & water-bucket.
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agreed, I hardly ever use my Esteem in horizontal
 
Very much appreciate all the responses guys, please keep them coming. Hopefully my lack of input here doesn't make it seem like I don't care, just find that for matters like these it's better to just listen rather than speak….. :)
 
Red Angel that is wisdom and uncommon common sense often missing these days.
 
Well I picked up my Wilmont TAG the other day! Was really neat getting to meet Chris and check out the shop... he spend about 1.5 hrs w/ me showing me the shop and grinding a knife w/ me to go over how to use the TAG. Unfortunately I don't have it up and running in my shop now that I'm back home yet, but I'm itching to get it going! I may try to do a video review after I get some time on it and go over all the different ways it can be used. A couple things I found out that I didn't know:

1. Chris wires up the VFD to have a master on/off switch that will protect it from lightening
2. He also wires it up to where it uses electricity to stop the motor almost instantaneously (saves 6-7 secs per belt change)

Pretty sweet. Tracking is perfect vertically or horizontally. I also picked up an additional plate to mount my disc sander to - then I can have a vertical/horizontal disc grinder!

The only thing I have been disappointed w/ so far is that it uses a 1.5 hp (which is what I selected) no name chinese motor on it - whereas I have heard the tw90 comes w/ a baldor. Oh well, guess that's why I got it for several hundred cheaper! I'm sure it will last for a good while anyway.

Just wanted to throw some stuff up about how it went. Hope you benefit from it =)
 
The guy who designed the Wilmont made the grinder I use. It's a good grinder and with the present US/Can dollar value, $75.00 US is $100.00 Can. He ships world wide.

2269309


2269335


Excellent tension adjustment.

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Lo/Rez said:
The guy who designed the Wilmont made the grinder I use. It's a good grinder and with the present US/Can dollar value, $75.00 US is $100.00 Can. He ships world wide.
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Excuse me? I think you're confused sir. Chris Williams of Wilmont Grinders designed the Wilmont. None other. He's also largely responsible for the EERF/GIB designs. Not sure where you're getting your info from, but the grinder you've shown is an obvious knock-off/clone of the Wilmont LB.
 
razor-edge-knives said:
Well I picked up my Wilmont TAG the other day! Was really neat getting to meet Chris and check out the shop... he spend about 1.5 hrs w/ me showing me the shop and grinding a knife w/ me to go over how to use the TAG. Unfortunately I don't have it up and running in my shop now that I'm back home yet, but I'm itching to get it going! I may try to do a video review after I get some time on it and go over all the different ways it can be used. A couple things I found out that I didn't know:

1. Chris wires up the VFD to have a master on/off switch that will protect it from lightening
2. He also wires it up to where it uses electricity to stop the motor almost instantaneously (saves 6-7 secs per belt change)

Pretty sweet. Tracking is perfect vertically or horizontally. I also picked up an additional plate to mount my disc sander to - then I can have a vertical/horizontal disc grinder!

The only thing I have been disappointed w/ so far is that it uses a 1.5 hp (which is what I selected) no name chinese motor on it - whereas I have heard the tw90 comes w/ a baldor. Oh well, guess that's why I got it for several hundred cheaper! I'm sure it will last for a good while anyway.

Just wanted to throw some stuff up about how it went. Hope you benefit from it =)
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Josh, if Chris is still using the same motors, they're Elektrim, and they're a Toolmex subsidiary. They're not Baldors, but they're not junk no name chinese motors either. He's had an extremely low failure rate. The TW-90's ship with Leeson motors afaik, which are also, not Baldor quality, and are made in Mexico afaik. FWIW, I've had one Baldor and one Leeson motor fail in my time with grinders. Thus far, my two Toolmex motors are going strong.
 
javand said:
Excuse me? I think you're confused sir. Chris Williams of Wilmont Grinders designed the Wilmont. None other. He's also largely responsible for the EERF/GIB designs. Not sure where you're getting your info from, but the grinder you've shown is an obvious knock-off/clone of the Wilmont LB.
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Yes it is a knockoff, I have the LB Grinder from Chris that's not a Wilmont Grinder.
 
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