Contact Wheel Size?

Burton Harruff

Burton Harruff

Joined
Oct 1, 2007
Messages
2,401
I am trying to go and pickup a KMG this week and was wondering what size contact wheel I should get 8" or 10"? Or should I just get the platen and work on flat grinding? I am new to grinding out my own blades and have only done a couple with files and the help of a angle grinder. Any help would be appreciated. I am probably going to initally work on hunting and camping and utility type knifes.
 
I've got an 8" and a 12". I only use the 8" for daggers anymore. I've never tried to flatgrind but I'm getting the urge looking at some of the knives these guys are makin!
Good luck and have fun with your new toy.

Monty
 
Even if you rarely hollow grind, the wheel is good for smoothing things and quicker stock removal, if you can afford it I would get a contact wheel. I like the grind of an 8" wheel, especially on thicker stock. If I had to pick between 8" and 10" I would go with 8". If I could only have two wheels I'd get a 4" and a 14". But, I may be rare, I think most folks will say get the 10" wheel.
 
Thanks for the advice I have been trying to do some research on what would be the best setup to start with. I talked with Rob for a minute today and asked him his opinions. He said both are popular. I was looking at his grind calculator and trying to figure it out but don't really know for sure which is better. I know that the bigger wheel will give a more shallow grind.
 
I'm getting the 10" wheel when I order my KMG from Rob in a couple weeks. :thumbup:
 
I have a 3", 5", 10" & 14" wheels. Most of my blades are 1/8" X 1 1/2" stock, the 14" is perfect for this stock. When using 1/8"x1" stock the 10" works best for me. This all depends on the size of the hollow grind. I prefer to have them very close to the spine. If using a Norwegian type HG then this all changes.
 
Went down to Beaumont yesterday and picked up a KMG with 10" wheel! Have an electrician coming monday or tuesday to wire a new outlet in the garage so it can be on its own circuit. It is torture to have it sitting in my garage and not be able to use it. I keep drueling over it every time I go out to the garage for something. Rob was a great guy and very helpful. I was uncertain to which wheel to get so I took a blank down that I wanted to get close to the same grind. We fired up his KMG that he has in shop with the 10" wheel and an old 400 grit belt and checked to see what size wheel it was done on. Great customer service! Anyhow I will update once I get it running and grinding.
 
You will need the platen for cutting out your knives. And then you can flat grind if you want to. But if you are wanting to hollow grind you will need to go to the wheels for the job. Here in my shop I use Platen, and wheels in the wheels I use 8,10,14. But you can always get more down the road. But start out with the 10' wheel. You can do small work on it and big work as well. Hope this was of help to you and have a safe day. ---:thumbup::):D
 
Burton said:
Went down to Beaumont yesterday and picked up a KMG with 10" wheel! Have an electrician coming monday or tuesday to wire a new outlet in the garage so it can be on its own circuit. It is torture to have it sitting in my garage and not be able to use it. I keep drueling over it every time I go out to the garage for something. Rob was a great guy and very helpful. I was uncertain to which wheel to get so I took a blank down that I wanted to get close to the same grind. We fired up his KMG that he has in shop with the 10" wheel and an old 400 grit belt and checked to see what size wheel it was done on. Great customer service! Anyhow I will update once I get it running and grinding.
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Enjoy! It's an excellent machine!

I have a KMG with the 10" wheel too. Make sure you also get the flat platen as well -it's real useful. ;)
 
I got the flat platen too. I got the 10" wheel package that came with platen and the 10" wheel but only one tool arm so I need to make one or save up and buy another.
 
I think you made a good choice on the 10" wheel. I personally grind on a 14" wheel. I like the "flatter" grinds that I can get with it.

As a new grinder you will find it easier to get in the "groove" with a smaller diameter wheel like the 10" that you got.

If you have any grinding questions I would be happy to try and talk you through them.

Feel free to give me a call.

Tom

479-233-0508
 
Burton said:
I got the flat platen too. I got the 10" wheel package that came with platen and the 10" wheel but only one tool arm so I need to make one or save up and buy another.
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Why? Is it a bitch to change? I just ordered the same package. Now you have me thinkin' that I should have ordered another tool arm for the flat platen.:confused:
- Mitch
 
Why? Is it a bitch to change? I just ordered the same package. Now you have me thinkin' that I should have ordered another tool arm for the flat platen.
- Mitch
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I don't think that it is necessarily a bitch you have one bolt holding the wheel on and two for the platen. Just makes it easier if you are switching between the two just to pull the arm out and put the other arm in. I have seen where alot of people make their own.
 
Troop said:
Why? Is it a bitch to change? I just ordered the same package. Now you have me thinkin' that I should have ordered another tool arm for the flat platen.:confused:
- Mitch
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Its called being lazy, I am so lazy I have 8 tooling arms now:D

Get at least one extra it will drive you crazy brother

Spencer
 
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