2x72 grinders in Canada?

Crayola

Crayola

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
Messages
3,831
Hello!

I may be able to finally upgrade from my 2x42 Sears grinder to a 2x72 machine in 2006.

Does anyone know of sources in Canada for a 2x72 grinder? How about something imported that wasn't too much $$ for importing it?

Thanks everyone!
 
I have the bee metal grinder that comes out of Ontario (Woodstock I think) It is similar to the square wheel. It is variable speed which is nice. I have a couple of complaints about it. I have a decent dust collection system, which, attached to the rear port of the machine just doesn't cut it. The flat platen is made from relatively soft steel. A pyroceram liner is essential, but the eccetric wheels don't quite adjust far enough to avoid running the belt over a bit of a corner. The tool rest really isn't adjustable and it just plain should be. Tracking is fair, but not good. Lastly, the 1hp motor that comes with variable speed is only adequate. It has served me pretty well and may just fine for someone who was willing to tweak it, but I'm not. I'll likely be selling it off in the next few months.

There are a couple of people in Alberta making grinders that are not too bad. You may want to look over the offerings of Roy Wirtanen (sp?) and Ed Storch. I'm in the process of trying to find a decent grinder - or line of grinders - that I can market out of the store here in Alberta. So far, no decisions made from what's available.

Best of luck with your search.

Rob!
 
Wow! Input from a Goddess and a fellow Albertan!

Thank-you both for the info. Perhaps a road trip to Washington State in Spring will be a good idea.

I also should contact some folks in Calgary who know of a guy making 2x72s. I'm not much of a tool modifier, so I'd prefer to get something that runs out of the box the way I need.

Rob, nice little web site ya got there! Maybe one of these days I'll get to the symposium and we can say hello and shake paws.
 
There is also a current thread in the Canadian "comunity" section here.

I bought a KMG, and am pretty happy, really when you're moving up, how many increments do you want to take. Get a really pro one, it opens up all kinds of opportunities well beyond knifemaking. If it turns out to have been a mistake, then you can sell it and probably you will do as well as when you move off the Grizz in total dollars spent. Particularly if you take postage into account. I didn't get the KMG motor to save on postage.

Another option is to make the KMG from parts that KMG or others sell.
 
Knut Lie makes one hell of a grinder here in Kamloops.
I've posted a phone number before. I'll find it at work tomorrow and post it.

All billet Aluminum and Anodized any color you like.
Awesome tracking.
Temp Glass platen.
Easy adjustment and a free small wheel attachment.

Just add the motor of your choice.

6gyn1u.jpg
 
I emailed Grizzly, and they won't ship to Canada! Too bad, as the G1015 is a nice grinder. Was looking at a 2X48 at HOT, but it only comes with a 1/3 hp motor, too small! Other than belt life, is there any other advantage to using a 2X72 over a 2X48?
 
CRAYOLA, I am new to knifemaking but after looking at most all the available belt grinders on the market today I bought the KMG. I am very happy with it and with the many attatchments available it is very versitile. Another big plus is Rob Frink at baumont metal works, they are excellent to deal with. I bought mine without the motor to keep initial cost down. Though i am new to knifemaking i do know equipment and i beleive this to be the best value on the market.
 
Thanks again guys for the help!

Kelly, I too am interested in more info on that gorgeous grinder! It looks like it is going 300 miles an hour just sitting there :)

Tim: KMG would be awesome! I just don't know if I can swing that this year. Maybe though! :)

Sinawalli: 2x72 is the standard knife making machine. There are tons of different belts and availability of parts for these machines out there. Also, the longer belt makes for faster grinding, I think.

My pal in Calgary has the 2x48 from HOT and really likes it. Grinds well for him!
 
Crayola: I live up the road a bit in Onoway (North of Stony Plain, west of Edmonton). Would you ask your friend with the 2X48, if the motor can be changed out? Is it bolted down, or welded in place? Does he have a good selecton of belts?
If you go onto Ebay.ca, and search on belt grinders, there is a guy selling a 2X72, that is homemade, has wooden wheels, no motor, for @$230 Canadian. From the pics, it doesn't look too bad, can be adapted to grind in a number of different ways. I am thinking of getting it, if I can't find one in these parts. This is just a hobby for me, I might make 6-7 knives a year, so I don't need a real elaborate set up, just want something that grinds faster than my 1X42. If a 1 hp motor can be fitted on the 2X48 from HOT, I might go that route also!! Thanks for your time!!
 
I think the problem with the 2x48 is the availability of belts. If you can get all the cool brands in that machine, you shoul dbe fine. The 2x72 is the standard for knife makers, and therefore they size all these cool grit type and cork polishing belts. I guess one could theoretically cut the 72 down...

I also think you might find down the road that the attachments you may want don't fit inside a 48 inch loop. Obviously if you pay a hundred bucks for it, big deal, but if you pay half what a KMG costs, then you are slaming the door in your face. Of course having more than one grinder is a good thing too, so as long as you get one that will be credible for some process, you should be fine. Even there though, I would probably want to buff or sharpen on it, and it becaomes an issue if I can't get the right belts.

I would buy a real contact wheel and build the rest out of wood before I would spend anything for a grinder with wooden wheels.
 
Kelly, please post the contact info for Knut Lie!
Do you know how much he charges??
 
sorry about the delay guys.:o Iv'e been swamped at work and with trying to get my house and shop built i'm not keeping up.:o

Knuts contact info:


Suremak Industries
2829 Bowers Place
Kamloops, BC, Canada
V1S 1W5
Phone: (250) 377 – 0100
 
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