Deliema between step pulley or Varibale speed

T

Tim Kirby

Joined
Sep 26, 2008
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2
I have been collecting knives for years now and desided over a year ago to start making my own and am really enjoying it . I have been using a Grizzly but feel I am ready to jump to a better grinder which will be a KMG. I am undecided between the step pully or the Varible speed only because of cost difference with the savings on the step system I can afford some of the other accessories I want. I would Like some in put. Thanks Tim Also I had planed on the 2HP motor is this A good choise or is 1 1/2 big enough?
 
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I have the exact dilemma right now. I think I am going to go with the step pulley system and see how it works. It saves me quite a bit of cash right now, and I can always upgrade later.
 
Go for pulleys! One botton, no worry, and much combinations possible, if the grinder is well conceived. Just always keep a remplacement belt, never know what can happen... The pulleys will last longer than the motor... and a motor last for decades.

Oh, but i think to something: do you have the choice to have a motor directly adapted to your power input? Cause variators can make the conversion from single phase to triple phase motor, which are much more common, and optimised for industrial use (no maintenance, last long, etc...). If you have to convert the electric power type, then go for a variator.
 
I use the pullies and the range of speeds is fine for me, I am sure for some speciality work the fully variable speed would really help but the pullies are great. You will notice such a difference from the grizzley that it will be a who different experiece anyway.
 
Go for VS. Buy a 2hp 3-phase motor from grizzly and a KBAC-27 VFD from state electric (.com). That's what I did and have never regretted it. Variable speed is the bee's knees!!!:D

Erin
(aka Hypocrite)

Note: THIS THREAD is devoted to the setup of my grinder motor and VFD... If you do go this route, it could be helpful.
 
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This is "my" machine at the factory i work. With these pullies, i can use from about a 18" buffing wheel to a 2" polishing tool used to polish the inner of spoons. You can put the belt with 2 steps sideways to the one right in front, which give a wide range of speed. It's certainly 30 years old. We have to change the belt every 3 years or so.
 
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I use pulleys and I would kill for a variable speed. I learned on a Wilton Square with variable speed and I miss it, A lot! Being able to speed up or slow down the belt speed just a little makes life so much easier. But the pulleys work fine and give you several speeds to work with. If you do go with pulleys get one of the new segmented belts, they make getting the right tension easy and they reduce vibration.
 
Why not go for the best of both world and use variable pulleys plus a VS motor? I have mine set up that way and it CAN come in handy.
 
Well.

Having just recently used a KMG in all it's majesties....

And having just recently experienced the VS goodness in all it's beefiness...

THEY ROCK.

So, if you can swing, do it.

But, if you cannot, well, I am sure you will still make fine knives.

Marion
 
What all these answers boil down to is that the pulleys make the grinder variable speed....you just have to stop and do it manually. The VS is nice, but you pay for the convenience. I would say to get the pulleys, and keep an eye open down the road for a VS motor to upgrade it. Once you've sold some knives, you will be able to roll that money into the upgrade.
Stacy
 
Marion David Poff said:
Well.

Having just recently used a KMG in all it's majesties....

And having just recently experienced the VS goodness in all it's beefiness...

THEY ROCK.

So, if you can swing, do it.

But, if you cannot, well, I am sure you will still make fine knives.

Marion
Click to expand...

Another plug for variable speed. Not having to move drive belts is pretty darn convenient. Since you still have a grinder that works, saving the extra money to get VS wouldn't hurt that bad. Grizzly has 3 phase motors from 1.5 to 3hp for anywhere from $120 to $150. Most VFD's with NEMA 4 enclosures are anywhere from $350 to $500. Lots of folks use a KBAC but I am a fan of TECO. Definately get a 2hp motor.
 
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If you mount the motor on a hinge, letting the weight of the motor take up the slack in the v-belt, you should be able to change pulley combinations pretty quick.

I don't have a grinder yet; but, on the table saw in my shop, the motor is on a hinge and it's quick to remove the belt when not being used.
 
I have been using stepped pulleys since I started. However, I have taken the VS plunge and ordered a VFD and a 2HP 3 phase motor. Basically the same gear that KMG uses. There are times when I want more speed and less speed than the pulleys can deliver. Also, changing the belt is a nuisance. If this works like I hope it will, I am going to put VS on my horizontal disc grinder as well.

Every knifemaker I talk with says to go the VS route. I will know very soon if it was worth it.

Milt
 
I have been using step pulleys for a few years now and thy are great for the price. I am in the process of ordering my vfd and I'm going with the KBDA-27D which is kinda like the KBAC-27D but with a 4 digit LED display and 8 button control panel. I have read through its manual like 2-3 times and i love the functions it has. the one i like the most is that it can display all kinds of data on the screen. but what caught my attention was the custom screen. you set it to a number and that is what it will read at full speed and as you turn it down it will go down. so say your grinder hits 6000 SFPM you can set it to 6000 and then as you turn it down it will give you an accurate SFPM reading. it is a bit more money but when its going on a Stainless steel KMG clone you cant except anything but the coolest and best. but it if your just starting with the kmg go with the pulleys and when you want to upgrade then just swap out the motor and get a vfd, the pulleys are not wasted
 
Mace said:
Variable speed ROCKS!!!:thumbup:
Mace
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I've known Mace for what? 8 years now, since Old Washington? He speaks the truth. You can try to save money by using step pulleys but in the long run, you will end up with variable speed. Hell! It's worth it just for sharpening...


Craig
 
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