disc vers,horizontal,vers vertcle grinders-who wins

marekz

marekz

Joined
Jun 16, 2008
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what are the benefits/pros/cons to a verticle 2x72 ver a horizontal 2 x 72 ver a 9"disc grinder. can you get away with just a disc grinder. is the ddisc 1hp, variable reversable speed ,1740rpm grinder Rob sells a good choice for the money--$800+. -Enough power/speed.? Is there any others out there, besides buld your own.... I have a verticle kmg but im looking into building or buying one from maybe Rob. IF YOU COULD HAVE ONLY ONE AND YOUR GRINDS WERE BASICALLY FLAT OR CONVEX WHICH ONE WOULD YOU PICK<>>thanks k
 
is this a darn stupid question . its ok to tell me if im a dumb arsh. anyone have an opinion.-marekz
 
What are you trying to do? If you already have a belt grinder then that is all you really need for general knife making. If you are wanting a machine for a special operation then what is the operation. for making completely flat grinds then the disk grinder but if you are getting one I suggest getting the 3450 rpm variable speed.
 
i have a "9 disc sander that i do most of my grinding and a 2x72 belt sander that i use to clean up after the disc. i went 17 years without a disc sander and i wish i had one back when i first started out. flat grinding on a disc is easy once you learn how and grinding a blade can take me less time compared to doing it all on a belt sander.
 
I guess the only reason i asked that quetion is im still having a difficult time getting good flat grinds on my 2x72. i have a chance to add a piece of equipment or invest in some wood in a month or so.im going to have about a grand to work with. i wanted to weigh my options. so far my thinking is either. a disc grinder, some nice burl, a mini milling machine ( sherline), a buffer, a table saw, or --im still thinking. I have a wood bandsaw,metal bandsaw,kmg,vacum dust system,standing drill, -small lowes grinder that i use as a buffer but it doesnt work very well, some basic supplies etc... i only get this chance once a year so im thinking about what i really need for my shop.--i guess what i really need is to keep practicing with what i have.--maybe ill just invest in some wood. thanks marekz
 
What did you say you had? I tell people you need a 2 X 72 ; a metal cutting band saw; and a good drill press. The rest is up to the operator. Frank
 
Well Frank -thats what i have. Richard post makes sense to me as well. thankz --marekz
 
Marek
What kind of 2 X 72 do you have.A KMG will help but not to sound crude or rude but the bad grinds come from you not the machine.Abetter machine will help but won't solve all your problems.just takes tons of practice.:D
Stan
 
Thank you SBUZEK--the only rationel i had for a disc grinderr is that it has more surface area--so in my thinking it would make a flat grind easier versus pulling a blade across a 2" surface area. Again in my thinking, the distribution of the grind on a disc grinder would allow for more even bevels. does that make sense--or am i missing something. So I think the disc would be more percise. thanks-marekz
 
A disc grinder would be nice to go along with the KMG , I use my disc occasionally , though I prefer to grind my bevels on the Bader , belts last longer than the disks :)

I would use the $$$ to invest in steel and materials and maybe a nice 24" granite surface plate !
 
SBUSEK-yes its a kmg. --JOHN T WYLIE Jr--you have a kmg and bader, and a disc????holy moollie. What do you use when you flat grind? how much does a granite surface plate go for. really i just started this thread so that i can get some ideas of how to spend my money wisely. i listed all i have( i forgot to mention a kiln) and i figured to help me improve my grinding a disc grinder maybe the way to go. Now maybe ill get a buffer or again invest in steel , leather, and wood. I get this chance 1 time a year. its around a grand-im very lucky and grateful for it-thats why i want to spend it as wisely as i can. thanks marekz
 
no KMG ( though I wish I had got the KMG over the bader ) ...

just the bader (variable speed ) and the 9" reversible disc ( no wariable speed on the disc , runs at 1750 rpms ), couple 1 x 42 's , couple 4 x 36's , couple floor production drill presses , 2 blast cabinets... ( plus a mill & lathe I dont know how to use yet ).

I use the Bader to flat grind , flat platen with a pyroceram cover. To get stuff flat , the surface plate is the way to go ...check ebay or MSC for their specials.
 
the only thing that you NEED is more practice. I am a tool whore so I have all kinds of things including two disk grinder/sanders. But I can grind a flat grind on my burr king faster and as flat as I can on the disk sander. so my suggestion is to buy supplies and practice with your KMG until you become a good enough grinder that you no longer need the disk then if you still want one get it. all the tools in the world will not make you a knife maker unless you know how to use them.
 
my opinion , I would not be without my disc grinder . I find it much nicer to do flat grinds on as opposed to the 2" belt or for flat sanding handle scales . It is another piece of equipment to use and help . Since I could not afford a variable speed and wanted one slow , I put a disc on a 1140 1/3 hp motor . Has served me well for 10 yrs. A variable speed would be REAL nice if you have the bucks .

Tru grit sells a nice disc grinder .
 
I've got a bader, 2 square wheels, about 6 disc grinders variable reversing and whatnot.
Yeah I'm a tool whore too. None of these tools can make blades without me guiding
the steel. Today I made a very nice tite folder and didn't use my surface grinder at all-
-PRACTICE.
Ken.
 
yall- I know practice,practice,practice is really EVERYTHING. i know i could have all the tools or machines in the world but without practice---nothing will come of it. I simply have an oppurtunity to add something to my shop and was wondering if a disc grinder would be a good choice. I was also thinking of a sherline mini mill-someday that may help me with folders, or guards. i was also thinking about a plain ol table saw. So in summary i have a chance to add to my shop--im just thinking about what would be a good choice. thanks for all the feedback yall---marekz,
 
ya Donn but your born talented. .lol. I am and was sooo happy to get my 2x72. i love it but ilke everyone says i need to keep practicing. most of the time i start of tring to make a flat grind. well what i end up with is a very useable knife but the grind is hard to pinpoint. Sometimes when i get frustrated i just run my blade up on top of the belt and kinda roll the steel upward. i do this to both sides and in the end it is passable- but what is it. then after ht/tempering--when i do a final sharpening on it it seems to look off. one side looks good by itself but comparing it to the other side is where the prblem is. When i just stay against the platen and free hand it i get dips and uneven bevels, then when i try to correct them i lose thickness and basically toss them. Mind you not all my knives have such a bad experience. I sold a few and gave a bunch away with no complaints. But those where the ones that happen to be in one of my good days, where everything just seems to go right. I will keep practicing and deducing what it is im doing wrong. the disc idea came in beacause i thought it might make the learning curve better for me. thanks -marekz
 
Mark, no talent, just lots of practice!

If you don't have variable speed on your grinder, spend your money there.
If you have it, turn it down :D Makes a world of difference.
 
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