Big wheels. What do you think about them?

I bought an eight inch wheel and I have been kickin myself in the pills every since, my next grinder will have a 12" or 14" (big bucks)
 
i have 10 and it works well but i also have a 48" nate platen
if i was going big i think it woudl have to be 36 inch at least
 
Unless you plan on specializing in large blade hollow grinds, a 12-14" wheel is about the max you will need. A 10" wheel is probably the most useful.

For large diameter hollow grinds, one of Nathan's curved platens is the way to go. They come in 24,36, 48, and 60" radius, IIRC.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Unless you plan on specializing in large blade hollow grinds, a 12-14" wheel is about the max you will need. A 10" wheel is probably the most useful.

For large diameter hollow grinds, one of Nathan's curved platens is the way to go. They come in 24,36, 48, and 60" radius, IIRC.
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72" also.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Unless you plan on specializing in large blade hollow grinds, a 12-14" wheel is about the max you will need. A 10" wheel is probably the most useful.

For large diameter hollow grinds, one of Nathan's curved platens is the way to go. They come in 24,36, 48, and 60" radius, IIRC.
Click to expand...

I appreciate all the advice. I've looked at Nathan's platens and it is a very interesting idea, and probably much cheaper than a big wheel.
Do they actually grinder similar to a wheel? With the wheel it is like a platen moving with the belt, so it must feel quite a bit different.

I have a 14 inch wheel coming tomorrow. I have no idea what to expect when I put that on my Esteem grinder. I'm just starting to get used to the flat platen. I have two blades shaped and sanded out and ready to grind. Wondering if I should try them on the wheel or give myself more time on the flat?

Another fascinating bigwheel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNK0NAWr_-s
 
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Brock47 said:
I appreciate all the advice. I've looked at Nathan's platens and it is a very interesting idea, and probably much cheaper than a big wheel.
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much cheaper does not even come close you had better bet on over 7K$ for a big wheel setup. i know cause i hve lookied onto it and still am looking into how i can mke it work
 
if you get one of nathan crother's platens, get a cooler from him too. Keeping the belt tight against the radius generates a good bit of heat.
 
One of the main appeals to me about the wheels is that they preserve belt life. I'm guessing that this wouldn't be the case with a radius platen. Other than that, the platen would be THE way to go for the effect of a large wheel.
 
I have two of Nate's platens, the 36" and the 72". I have actually used them mostly for doing the middle section of weird compound grinds on kitchen knives and for setting the curve of the clip on bowies and fighters. Takes the guesswork out. I also used the 72 to help out a bit on my first big recurve blade. I have actually only done a couple hollow grinds with them. The 36" is perfect for small hunters. Very subtle grind.
 
JG Custom Metal Works said:
One of the main appeals to me about the wheels is that they preserve belt life. I'm guessing that this wouldn't be the case with a radius platen. Other than that, the platen would be THE way to go for the effect of a large wheel.
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You are correct. If you use a radius platen, you had better think about using the chiller with coarse grit belts.
 
I bought a 14 inch wheel a couple years ago but I only use it when I want to do a full hollow grind on a fairly large blade. It looks kind of like a flat grind anyway but with a slight curvature. I use the 8 inch wheel more than anything because I like deep hollow grinds for looks. The 14 inch wheel was expensive and I don't think most guys need one. I would like to try one of Nathan's platens though. Why not just flat grind your large knives? Just my opinion again. Larry
 
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Another thing people don't think of is that you have to custom build a grinder to run larger wheels than 14". They also will have to run longer belts. For a 20" wheel, you would have to run 132" belts and have a much beefier grinder. Additionally, you can buy an entry level grinder for the price of a 20" wheel.
 
I do some hollow grinding with a 14" wheel on slip joint folder blades.
Tony Bose uses a 20" on all his knives, even tiny blades.
 
I use a 24" wheel and won't go back to a 14" now that I,m used to it. Yes I do need to run 132" long belts but i,ve done that for years. I,m in the process of making a 1" x 20" wheel to be used for small folder blades mostly.
 
Bruce Bump said:
I use a 24" wheel and won't go back to a 14" now that I,m used to it. Yes I do need to run 132" long belts but i,ve done that for years. I,m in the process of making a 1" x 20" wheel to be used for small folder blades mostly.
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Yes, Bruce, but you use every size of wheel known to mankind and and all equally effectively, hence the awe and burning envy you inspire amongst the rest of us. :D
 
butcher_block said:
much cheaper does not even come close you had better bet on over 7K$ for a big wheel setup. i know cause i hve lookied onto it and still am looking into how i can mke it work
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Understood. I'm probably a few years out at best from that kind of setup.

Your work is awesome btw.
 
Well, I got my wheel from Beaumont (14 inch) mounted up. I got a new Tool Arm from Brett for the Esteem. I didn't want any issues matching the arm there. He made up a shaft for the wheel and it fit perfectly. I didn't need to use the Beaumont mounting system. Did I mention Brett is a great guy to work with? He has made this whole setup very smooth, start to finish.

Here is the grinder, and below are my first two attempts with a wheel of any sort. Clearly I have many things to learn, and I know this, but I really like grinding on that wheel. More so than the platen, even though the platen is probably a bit easier.
I'm not sure yet how to handle the upward sweep in the blade on the wheel.

One thing I certainly have trouble with is just making myself slow the heck down. I'd not get my self in nearly as much trouble if I could just master that.

All advice greatly appreciated.

GrinderwWheel1.jpg

GrinderwWheel2.jpg

WheelGrind1.jpg

WheelGrind2.jpg
 
Had to get one more in tonight. This one was a bit easier, with the gentler sweep of the blade. Knife making is pretty cool, even if you suck at it. :p

Something kind of cool happened while grinding this one. I was getting to the ragged end of a 120 belt, so I changed out to a 150.
When I touched the blade to that new belt I could feel the new grit grab onto that steel. It was very cool to feel that for the first time.

WheelGrind1.jpg WheelGrind2.jpg
 
My 14" wheel is just about ideal for the majority of the knives I make. The 36" is awesome as well; it almost looks like a flat grind from the right angle.
 
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