Added a new grinder to my belt grinder guide. Any thoughts?

Comparatively speaking, that is a pretty good price for someone like me just getting into knife making. I was considering buying a Craftsman when I get my tax return, because even the lowest costing grinder I found didn't seem like it offered much in improvement over the craftsman for the cost. Now with this, for approximately 4x the price, you can get a VFD and the ability to put on a 10" wheel. It seems almost to good to be true.

But this is just wishful far forward thinking on my part. I still have to finish my first one, and a few after that before I can seriously consider getting a grinder.
 
I've got this on my list now. I just want to see some first hand feed back from a few users. I am still looking at a heat treat oven as my next purchase but after that it's a grinder upgrade.
 
I have to strongly disagree with Ed. He seems to be extremely bias for not using one first. Or maybe I will go as far as calling it arrogance. My grinder from him ships Friday. Not to hard to cover the nema. As for the skateboard wheels. I'm willing to bet tey wear slower than the aluminum wheels. They are extremely dense. I use to skateboard they roll on concrete and asphalt for hundreds of miles with over 100lbs weighting them down and last at least a full season. Maybe we should experiment and try and make skateboard wheels out of aluminum. Case in point. "Don't Knock It Until You Try It Unless It's Over 300lbs". My review of my belt grinder will be up shortly.
 
Fox, Ed's post was in another forum BTW. He is opinionated, but a nice guy- I wouldn't call him arrogant, but with his skills he'd be as entitled to a little arrogance as anyone. He gave me good advice about my Square Wheel in the past.

You make a good point about the skateboard wheels however, my thinking is along the same lines. People don't realize sometimes that skateboarding is a serious sport with real equipment. And, the Bob Dozier grinder (at a high price) comes with nylon idlers. They hold up fine, as do the UHMW idlers I turned for my 3hp grinder. In two years of hard use, mine haven't deteriorated at all.

I'm looking forward to your review. I may be getting one to test and review myself, I'll post your review at my site as well if that's OK with you.
 
You should include Uncle Al's grinder from Riverside Machine. I have used one for almost 2 years now, and it is great for me. Great price, better than Burr King or Bader. Maybe a shade below KMG, just because KMG is made from heavier materials. That may or may not matter for me or for another person who is not a full-time knife maker. If you are running a full-time knife shop, then it may matter. But, Al's is about half to two thirds the price, and Al rocks. (his press it oustanding, too).

http://www.riversidemachine.net/item14549.ctlg

I could have afforded a KMG, even though they are significantly more expensive. I bought this one, instead, because Al has a great reputation as a man and a machinist. The grinder works fine, for me. It is certainly a good option for people to consider. I LOVE mine.


thanks for reading,
Kevin
 
kevin -the professor said:
You should include Uncle Al's grinder from Riverside Machine. I have used one for almost 2 years now, and it is great for me. Great price, better than Burr King or Bader. Maybe a shade below KMG, just because KMG is made from heavier materials. That may or may not matter for me or for another person who is not a full-time knife maker. If you are running a full-time knife shop, then it may matter. But, Al's is about half to two thirds the price, and Al rocks. (his press it oustanding, too).

http://www.riversidemachine.net/item14549.ctlg

I could have afforded a KMG, even though they are significantly more expensive. I bought this one, instead, because Al has a great reputation as a man and a machinist. The grinder works fine, for me. It is certainly a good option for people to consider. I LOVE mine.


thanks for reading,
Kevin
Click to expand...

Interesting


Are thre any more photos - like from the sides ?
 
Yes that would be fine. I am very thankful for your website. It has helped me out a lot in the past. Back to Ed. I read his opinion on it on knifedog. The only thing I will add to that is rollerskate wheels arent expensive and are extremely durable. That's why I feel the idea is genius. The belt grinder I am getting Jose is building to fit my needs. Instead of having multiple tool arms it has a single 2"wheel x 8" serrated rubber wheel flipping slack and flat platen. 1 hp with nema1.
 
I have no doubt that skateboard wheels could be durable if you pick the right durameter and material.

I am curious about the balancing.

A good contact wheel is balanced for high speed use.
 
kevin -the professor said:
Here are views of Al's grinder, bolted to the huge and sturdy table in my shop.

Kevi
Click to expand...

Thanks

From pivot, to centre of the wheel, how long would you say that arm is?

It seems like in the "new" the grinders I see, the arms are getting shorter and shorter.

and

The handle you use to pull down is only half way between the pivot and wheel.
Have you considered adding a long lever on there to help pull it down?
 
no need to add handle, there isn't any resistence when you pull the handle to release the belt. It is a different type of locking system. Works great, but doesn't have a spring.

Also, short arms reduce torque and help keep the grinder from flexing. The arm is plenty long, especially when the platen is rotated to the 2" or 4" wheel, or when I put the optional arm in for the 8" contact wheel. I put it as close as I can, i.e., shorten it up, to reduce the forces on the body of the machine. If you want longer and more room, you could configure it that way, or just tell Al and he would make the arms longer for you. He is that type of guy.

1.5 hp, varialbe, nema 4 (I believe), platen, 2 contact wheels, slack belt. Less than 2K, delivered. And, Al is a great guy. I am not putting anyone else down, just making an honest assessment of Al and his machine. My ability lept forward when I got this, because I could use variable speed and the two wheels. Also, there is a little region of very tight "slack" belt between the bottom of the platen and the top of the 4" wheel. You can use that for convex grinding most anything. So, with one attachment and no moving, you can go from flat platen, to 4" wheel, to slack belt. Without moving your feet or changing anything. To use the 2" wheel much requires loosening a nut and spinning and then tightening again.

kc
 
Kevin, I'm going to include Al's grinder next, do you mind if include your previous remarks about it on my site, and your pix in addition to Al's?
 
He has a video on you tube where he stands a penny on end on the grinder with it running full bore and it stands up for about 2 minutes...I'm seriously considering one of these grinders
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top