Anyone use the OBM surface grinder attachment?

autogateman

autogateman

Rod Braud
Joined
Jan 6, 2017
Messages
180
I just saw that Oregon Blade Maker on Ebay has his own surface grinder attachment with a 1.5" tooling arm. Anyone got one yet?
Thanks
Rod
 
I like the looks of that one - and it's COMPLETE with tooling arm and 4" wheel. It's getting more reasonably priced also at slightly less than $1,000 shipped. Interesting he says "must have OBG 2X72 grinder when it looks like it would work with any 2X72 grinder with 1.5" tooling arm. I do think that would work just fine.
 
The wording was such that it's designed for the "OBM" grinder...Wonder if there is some Hokey design element that you might have to fiddle with to work with other 2X72 grinders?? Pricing alone is an eye opener compared to a "TW-SG"!!!!
 
The only thing could be spacing from the side plate to match their nominal wheel locations, and by wording it that way he doesn't have to figure out how to get it to line up with every grinder under the sun for everyone who buys it that can't figure out where they need to add a washer or two.
 
kuraki said:
The only thing could be spacing from the side plate to match their nominal wheel locations, and by wording it that way he doesn't have to figure out how to get it to line up with every grinder under the sun for everyone who buys it that can't figure out where they need to add a washer or two.
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I figured it was something along those lines...when you read down the page of the ad there is a **NOTICE** Please call before adding to the cart I'm sure this will eliminate a lot of "Hey I just purchased the SG and it won't work on my grinder" calls after the fact!

I will stick with my Brown&Sharp thank you 47 years young and going strong:D:D
 
I did see where someone on IG just bought one. They had nothing but good things to say about it. You can search #oregonblademaker and its only a few items down.
 
The tricky part will be finding someone that's used both options, and is experienced enough to compare it to a real surface grinder.

Everyone here wants to laud all the shit they bought, I suppose, because they need affirmation about their purchases, without having any basis for comparison.


I may have a buddy that has one of these, who is a real machinist, has multiple surface grinders, and has used the Wuertz model extensively. He mentioned he got one of the less expensive "knock-offs", I'll ask him if it's this one or not, and if so, what he thinks.
 
javand said:
The tricky part will be finding someone that's used both options, and is experienced enough to compare it to a real surface grinder.

Everyone here wants to laud all the shit they bought, I suppose, because they need affirmation about their purchases, without having any basis for comparison.


I may have a buddy that has one of these, who is a real machinist, has multiple surface grinders, and has used the Wuertz model extensively. He mentioned he got one of the less expensive "knock-offs", I'll ask him if it's this one or not, and if so, what he thinks.
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It's human nature to feel good about the most recent deal...you do it like the rest of us...I have never heard a person say "I just Got Hosed on this new car I knew it and I love it" even though deep down that's what they are probably thinking. Even on a junker with the wheels falling off you're going to hear them say "I got a GOOD DEAL".... The EVERYONE statement may be out of line NOT Everyone here does that...
 
It is a valid point though. The surface grinder I have set up and in use is a 55 year old doall, and it'll hold a tenth without really trying. We know these won't be as accurate, just as we know a surface grinder converted to belts won't be as accurate. The question is how much so. Its one thing for someone to measure it a couple times with calipers (or even a micrometer) and say its within a thou or two. Its another to do a 5 block test and check it with a surface plate and test indicator.
There is no doubt these things are useful. I wouldn't mind having one to use until I have room to set my second surface grinder up with belts.
If they are worse than a thou or two though I'd be hard pressed to call one a surface grinder. I'm sure they're great for descaling stock, tapering tangs, and fixed blade work, but without seeing a properly conducted 5 block test I wouldn't buy one with the intent of using it as a surface grinder for folders or precision work.
 
It's an attachment for a Belt Grinder for under a Grand there is no way it will hold a candle to a dedicated surface grinder period. I have a 47 year old Brown&Sharp that I was lucky enough to get through a GSA auction. I actually used at my day job at NASA when I heard it was being put out to pasture I had to bid. I used that machine for 30 years. Now I have a piece of History that was used to make parts that flew in space.
 
Busto said:
It's human nature to feel good about the most recent deal...you do it like the rest of us...I have never heard a person say "I just Got Hosed on this new car I knew it and I love it" even though deep down that's what they are probably thinking. Even on a junker with the wheels falling off you're going to hear them say "I got a GOOD DEAL".... The EVERYONE statement may be out of line NOT Everyone here does that...
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I don't disagree, and I'm sure it sounded like I was trying to call out the whole forum, in some hypocritical rage, but it wasn't my intention.

I'm just trying to hopefully "raise awareness" lol, to the fact that there's a difference between "I like my hard earned stuff" and "it's objectively good". Many people don't understand, or refuse to see the difference. Do I get excited about new toys? Sure, but I understand that my excitement obscures my objectivity. Although in fairness, my personality is one that typically goes from excited, to instant buyers remorse, nit picking every little detail, until after a little while, I realize I was being excessively critical, and need to chill. Of course, I'm aware of that, so I don't get online, railing every feature of something that's not absolutely perfect, or the opposite, until I've had time to relax.

I also try to be *VERY* clear when I'm making observations, that have limited comparison, based on pre-conceptions.

None of us are perfect of course, but I still believe that we'd be well to remember there's a big difference between "I like what I have", and "This is a objectively great, based on extensive experience with X". It's ok to love what you've got, just say that's what it is.


Anyway, I meant it as constructive criticism, and I tried to make sure and do it, before anybody would feel personally targeted. Hope it's taken as such.
 
Busto said:
It's an attachment for a Belt Grinder for under a Grand there is no way it will hold a candle to a dedicated surface grinder period. I have a 47 year old Brown&Sharp that I was lucky enough to get through a GSA auction. I actually used at my day job at NASA when I heard it was being put out to pasture I had to bid. I used that machine for 30 years. Now I have a piece of History that was used to make parts that flew in space.
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Sure, but there is a way to give a thoughtful explanation of what it does well or not, in comparison. We need more of this here. I don't know how many people I've talked to, that are massively un-aware of the limitations of these machines, because of the constant hype and enthusiasm they get here, because people WANT to believe they're every bit as good.

I've said before, and I'll say again, in most cases, you can get a real, good, used surface grinder for the same price as this item, and two or three for the price of the premium version (Wuertz), and if you've got the room, the ability to move it, and the desire to learn a very valuable machine skill, you should. However, there are many cases where you can't, and these substitutes are a great option in that case.

You may take it for granted Busto, that the differences are obvious, but most new makers, and many experienced ones, simply don't realize the differences. Regardless, I wasn't here to debate this, I've made my opinion on this subject known previously.


Hell, at this price, if I hear some good reviews on this item, I'll probably buy one also, not because it'll do anything as "well" or accurately as a real SG, but because it'll be super fast for rough work or quick and dirty tapering. Setting up a mag sine chuck if you've have one ($$$) and doing long tapers on a stone, is time consuming, especially if you don't have enough grinders to have one of these chucks or plates permanently mounted.

Personally I don't like belts and contact wheels for making things parallel, ricasso's especially, and even more if you want an exceptional press fit guard, however, for tapared tangs, and fully distal tapared kitchen knives, etc. Something like this attachment, is absolutely great, and a huge potential time saver, when you're gonna have to go back and do hand work anyway, or your finishes don't require hand work at all.
 
Equipment like this has it's place in our machine world because the need exists for an attachment for those makers that don't have room for a free standing surface grinder. Those makers that have been around long enough to be able to afford the heavy equipment have purchased it as money was available however there are makers that don't the space or have the need for the close tolerance of a heavy machine and will LEARN to make do with these attachments.

The hobby maker trying to step up his game will see this as a benefit to help his skills in producing a better product. He will have to learn all the "Shortcomings" and learn how to make adjustments and also live with the +/- variances that is a part of machine work tolerance you can live with. The acceptable risk is not having to tie up floor space and money for a dedicated machine used "Once in a Blue Moon" with this he can hang it on the wall or sell it and recoup his investment easier than a floor machine "In our knife world".
 
Javan: You've said it all so clearly - these type of surface grinder attachments are not anywhere near what a true surface grinder can do. I worked with those almost 50 yrs ago, and holding a tenth is expected with those. The version I made of Travis Wurtz's SG works really good - from the little I've used it. Only had it finished a couple days, but it will hold a thou over 10" or so. That's pretty good for what it is. For sure better than I can do with a flat platen. Since I've got <$200 I think it's money well spent.

Ken H>
 
Busto said:
It's an attachment for a Belt Grinder for under a Grand there is no way it will hold a candle to a dedicated surface grinder period. I have a 47 year old Brown&Sharp that I was lucky enough to get through a GSA auction. I actually used at my day job at NASA when I heard it was being put out to pasture I had to bid. I used that machine for 30 years. Now I have a piece of History that was used to make parts that flew in space.
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Well since Im not making aerospace parts, but fixed blade hunting knives, I assume it will hold the tolerances I would need just fine.
 
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