Coote or KMG for first grinder????

If you can afford the KMG, just buy it. Then you will never wonder if you could do better with a better machine and as has been mentioned, they really hold their resale value well. If you find knifemaking not to your liking after giving it a real try, you can easily recover most of your investment. Typically a used KMG or Bader type grinder sells almost immediately when posted for sale on the forums as they so rarely come up at any kind of discount. I bought my second KMG at about a 30% discount from retail and actually told the guy to pull his ad and repost it later at a higher price, but he was young and impetuous and sold it to me well below market value for a used machine. I was actually going to re-sell it for a modest profit until I realized that having a second machine really was better than having just one :)
 
I have both and the Coote is a good tool but the KMG is great if there's any way you can swing it go for the KMG!
 
I built my grinder...and copied the KMG to do it. If you're smart/frugal you can make up some of the difference on your motor setup. Use google to search for step pulleys (I seem to recall seeing them for around $7 a piece). Call a local motor repair shop and see if they have any used motors for sale. I just got a 1 1/2HP 110V 3450RPM motor for $40 from a local motor repair place. I'd bet that works out to a bunch cheaper than you thought you could get a motor for! Now, tyhat being said, you could save the same amount of $$ with a motor setup for the Coote.

I really enjoyed building my grinder, so I wouldn't change the way I did it. If I were to buy one though, I'd get a KMG in a heartbeat. If I ever need a second grinder, it'll be a KMG for sure.

-d
 
deker said:
I built my grinder...and copied the KMG to do it. If you're smart/frugal you can make up some of the difference on your motor setup. Use google to search for step pulleys (I seem to recall seeing them for around $7 a piece). Call a local motor repair shop and see if they have any used motors for sale. I just got a 1 1/2HP 110V 3450RPM motor for $40 from a local motor repair place. I'd bet that works out to a bunch cheaper than you thought you could get a motor for! Now, tyhat being said, you could save the same amount of $$ with a motor setup for the Coote.

I really enjoyed building my grinder, so I wouldn't change the way I did it. If I were to buy one though, I'd get a KMG in a heartbeat. If I ever need a second grinder, it'll be a KMG for sure.

-d
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And remeber....the current varaible speed KMG's are shipping with an AC motor/controller package so it may be possible to find a bargain motor and upgrade to the VS controller and pulleys later without having to pony up the cash for the Leeson motor.
 
jll346 said:
Your Killing me!! I had myself set on a Coote. The coote with extras and a set of step pulleys is still hundreds less. I love the looks of the KMG but WOW. I was also curious as to the weight difference. To ship a 10" coot with all the extras is just under $40. KMG wants $85 to ship. Christ thats a whole lot of belts.
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My 1 1/2 hp variable speed KMG with the battleship armor baseplate weighs around 230 lbs.
subtract 50 lbs+ if you don't go with the baseplate.
 
The base plate does make the KMG heavier, more rigid, easier to mount the motor on and set belt tension. But like variable speed, it's something that costs more and can be added later. It does also give the grinder an electrical ground unlike mounting the grinder and motor on a wooden bench.
 
Hi jll,
I'm a newbie/hobbiest who'll throw my vote in for the KMG. You sound like a long term knife enthusiast, and the price/shipping difference probably can be made up by selling one or two good knives out of your collection. I know first hand that expensive tools don't make you any better, but I think if you can test drive a KMG you'll know why they get favorable comments. Even if you don't stick with the hobby, the extra money won't seem like it was wasted or poured down the drain.
Merry Christmas, Craig
 
Thankyou all. I might just have to start looking for an old motor to cut cost, sell a knife, beg,borrow, and then some. I was about to drop $200 on a Baldor 1.5hp. Now I'm going used!
 
deker said:
I built my grinder...and copied the KMG to do it. If you're smart/frugal you can make up some of the difference on your motor setup. Use google to search for step pulleys (I seem to recall seeing them for around $7 a piece). Call a local motor repair shop and see if they have any used motors for sale. I just got a 1 1/2HP 110V 3450RPM motor for $40 from a local motor repair place.

Where is a good place to get pulleys and what size am I looking for. I know it is a 5/8" arbor and I want a three step pulley but what dia.? If I don't have to dump over $30 a pulley directly from them it would be great.
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Where is a good place to get pulleys and what size am I looking for. I know it is a 5/8" arbor and I want a three step pulley but what dia.? If I don't have to dump over $30 a pulley directly from them it would be great.
Click to expand...

Just about all industrial suppliers that carry "power transmission products" will have ..or can get the pulleys for you. For a 3 speed set-up on the KMG, I recommend using a 1725 rpm motor with 4",3", 2" step pulleys. Your motor will most likely have a 5/8" shaft...but not always..especially in the surplus markets. The pulley for the grinder requires a 3/4" bore.

Be aware that die cast pulleys are inexpensive...sometimes they run OK and others may wobble and vibrate. For smooth performance, I recommend a cast iron, "machined and balanced" pulley. This is where the higher price comes in. Shop around....

The fact that you have all of these choices is a big advantage with grinders like the Coote and KMG because the motor is not integrated into the machine.

Good Luck!

-Rob
 
Yes the Teutul's from American Chopper.
 
It is quite impressive inside. Definately a big boy's toy shop!
 
I just got my KMG full set up after going through the same pondering about which to buy for a couple years.... JL, Coote, Bader, Burr King, Wilton, Dozier, build my own....
Pulled the trigger finally.... Rob is awesome to talk to and very very helpful... doesn't try to sell you the shop... just what you need....
If you go with a KMG.... you'll be happy with the machine, the service and the help from the man who builds them.... That was the single greatest deciding factor for me.....
No regrets!:thumbup:
 
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