Bader B3 or Wilton square wheel ?

JBS TOOLMAKER

JBS TOOLMAKER

Joined
May 4, 2009
Messages
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It's time to get a new machine and I have narrowed it down to three. The KMG, Bader B3 and Wilton Square wheel. I have seen tons of good and bad opinions about the KMG. So I would like to hear about the Bader and Wilton the most. Im leaning toward Bader. I want at least 2 hp, 10" contact wheel, fork arm attachment, platen, and work rest for contact wheel and platen. And I'm curious about the combination arm on the Bader which has a 5" contact wheel, platen with workrest and slack-belt set-up. Has anyone used one ? Is it worth the extra cash ? All facts and opinions are greatly appreciated.
 
Hi,

There's nothing wrong with the KMG. I prefer the Bader because I don't like drive belts and I like the larger idler wheel, but I would own a KMG.

The Bader is a better design than the Wilton IMO. It's very versatile (you can easily make your own tooling arms with off-the-shelf 1.25 CR square stock. You can also tilt the machine on a tilting base and use it as a horizontal, which is much more difficult to do with a KMG or Wilton.
You'll need a platen, IMO. I have that combo arm, but use a different one with two two-inch wheels more. I never find myself slack grinding.
 
Never used the 5" arm, but I also thought it was interesting. I've used several BIII's, Andrew McLurkin build one that tilts just like Joe is talking about, it's quite convenient if you want a horizontal without taking up space and money. I learned on a BII and own one, also have spent much time on the KMG. I also like the direct drive of the Bader and feel that there are just more options readily available to you than with the Wilton. Bader also have a very good track record for customer service - not saying that Wilton doesn't, just saying that I know Bader does.
 
My grinders are are similar too the Wilton. I have read many times that if you wanted a machine that could do everything then get a Wilton. I have found the acsesability and workability of this style to be as good as it gets. However, I have read that the newer Wiltons are not made with the same quality as older ones were. Frank
 
The KMG is built like a tank, the design is much better than the Bader. I own a Bader 3 and have used the KMG and Im telling you the KMG is the better bulit machine, its more sturdy and solid. Not knocking Baders, I use one everyday, but the KMG is a tank.
 
The Square Wheel is a work horse but the B-III is a much better grinder.

I have all three and like the Bader best.
 
I would have to disagree that the Bader is not built as well. In all of the years that they've been making them, I've never heard of the sturdiness of their parts being a complaint. I also happen to like the smaller tooling arms. Lugging around a 14" wheel is heavy enough, lugging it around on a KMG tool arm is obscene ;)
 
I use my Bader to make every knife, but if you put to much pressure on the tool rest the belt will slide to the opposite side. I tried the same thing on a KMG and noticed it didnt wobble as much. Look at the way both machines are built, the Baders side body is stood upright by a motor mount and a small piece of steel welded to the bottom plate, The KMG is held together much better, dosent mean the baders a bad machine, its just not as sturdy. You cant make a knife any better on a KMG or a Bader, their both great grinders. I use my Bader everyday and dont plan on selling it anytime soon, both companies have good service, but by engineering standards the KMG is more sturdy built.
 
I know of at least one smith who is now using a KMG because when it came time to replace his old Wilton, he discovered that the new ones are not built like his trusty old one AT ALL. Somebody said that they had heard good and bad things about the KMG. I have not heard any of those bad things myself. I went from a Radiusmaster to a variable speed KMG and never looked back.
 
I have a Bader BIII, Nothing bad to say about it. Here is one piece of advice get the KMG small wheel attachment from KMG. I think they offer it to fit the Bader arms. With the KMG small wheel fork you only need one fork and can change wheels in a second. Also the larger bearings on the KMG small-wheels is a plus.
 
Bader with vfd.. .. i betcha they're all dandy... add the burr king in there too..

- a 2hp would be sweet... the 1.5hp is ok but just abit more hp would do it
 
I vote for the KMG too, but have used just about every grinder out there. My problem with Bader began the day I had saved up $3,000 for a grinder, called them to specify what I wanted, and their reply was "we don't have that in stock, and if its not on the shelf, your not going to get it from us." Here I was with money in my pocket, ready to give it to them, and they didn't want to help me get what I wanted....and gave me attitude to boot.

I had my heart set on a B-III at the time, but am now thankful that it turned out the way it did, because I have owned a KMG for over 5 years, and in the mean time have had the opportunity to work on several Baders. Compared to my KMG with a 3HP variable speed motor, they are light duty, and in my opinion, flimsy.
If I can drop half the money on a KMG then what I would have on a Bader, get twice the customer service, and a better machine, its a no brainer for me.
 
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