Few questions on the KMG grinder from Beaumont

M

manny767

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Aug 27, 2012
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I'm looking at the KMG options and packages and had a few questions for those who know a thng or two on these things. First Is the 1 1/2 horsepower motor really good or should I go with the 2 horsepower and get a new industrial outlet installed in my house? The cost to get a new outlet for that would be pricey I'm sure, is the 2 horsepower motor worth all the extra? I will not be getting a variable speed due to price, I will be getting the fixed 3speed.
Which leads me to is the 1 1/2 hp 3 speed package a good get or will it leave me short in the end wanting more?

The last thing, I am looking at the first package on this page http://www.beaumontmetalworks.com/Examples.htm

If I got the platen grinder package instead of the 8" wheel package that would save me some money and I can get a smaller diameter wheel for cheaper. Do I really need a wheel? If I do what diameter would be a standard good choice to go for? All I have done so far is flat grinds but do plan to do hollow grinds eventually every now and then.

Do I need the base plate they are including in the package?
 
I have had a 1-1/2 HP pulley system on mine for 5 years.The only time I can bog it down is heavy hogging on 1/4" stock.I don't have a base plate.Built my bench for at the right hieght and used 2 layers of 3/4" plywood for the top.Works fine for me.
I think a small wheel attachment is the best next investment for your grinder,after that get a 10" wheel.After 5 years I have all the small wheels and a 2,4,5,8 and 10" contact wheels.They all serve thier purpose but you can work yourself into them.
IMO you have decided on one of the best grinders on the market and you can add pieces over time.Also if you get tired of it you can recoup most of your investment.
Stan
 
1 1/2 HP is enough for most folks.

You don't need the base plate.

Profile grinding against a contact wheel rather than a platen works faster, uses less power and makes your belts past longer.

A 10" wheel is better than an 8" wheel for bevels.
 
The 10" is more then the 8, I may just skip the wheel for now to save some money and get the 10" when I can afford. Probably going to skimp out on the base plate too. I'm really tempted to get the 2hp but the cost for a new outlet scares me from it.
 
good thread... i've been looking at this as well and have the same questions. thanks gents.
 
You're much better off "justifying" the cost of a 1.5hp variable speed over "justifying" the cost of a 2hp pully setup and having to pay to wire up a 220v outlet.

The cost is probably a wash, or cheaper for the vfd and a much better investment. Most knifemakers I know are using 1.5hp, and have no complaints. I started out using a 1.5hp, and now have a 3hp and a 2hp grinder. The 3 is overkill, and the 2 isn't really that significant of an upgrade except when I'm hogging something usually more shop related than knife related.
 
Do you think you will ever get a heat treat oven? If so I would go ahead and get your space rewired to handle 220 and go ahead and get the 2hp grinder. I am very fortunate to have a great father who added a couple of more 220 circuits in the shop building. One for the where the grinder sets and one by the garage door to handle a ht oven (if i ever get one). That second plug can also be used for the grinder if I want to roll it outside and use it under the car port on nice days or I don't want to stink the shop up with stinky handle materials. Here is a picture of my kmg back when if was new and clean.
IMAG0102.jpg

I bought the flat platen, small wheel attachment, couple small wheels and the 8 inch wheel but if I was to do it again I would get the 10 inch wheel first. I think that it would be a little easier to use then the 8 inch. Dont be fooled by the picture of that flimsey stand its on. That thing was terriable when I got it no suited for the weight of the grinder. Tough to see in the picture but each leg has flat iron running up it then all welded together with some more bracing. It now sits one a plywood base with those retractable mobile base wheels. Makes it real nice to roll out to blow off and sweep around yet still set like a rock when your using it.
Thanks
Jeff
 
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javand said:
You're much better off "justifying" the cost of a 1.5hp variable speed over "justifying" the cost of a 2hp pully setup and having to pay to wire up a 220v outlet.
Click to expand...

The 1 1/2 hp variable speed costs quite a bit more, even with me having to get a new outlet installed, than the 2 hp fixed.

I would get the 2hp fixed now and have no problem paying another 300 or whatever it would cost in time to get the new outlet wired in but we plan on moving in the next year or two....then will need to get a new outlet at the new place.
So with all of that, I'm still wanting the 2 hp but not sure I can afford the outlet right now. Usually costs 2-300 for that doesn;t it? Is it cheaper when the shop is right next to the laundry room dryer outlet? I know nothing of electricity other than I can get shocked!
I will be using this grinder on things other than knives so the 2 hp is praised.
Ain't America great? All these decisions..
 
The base plate is well worth the price. All the holes are pre-drilled and tapped and installation is a snap. No alignment problems. I started out with a Coote and stepped pulleys. I soon added a 2hp motor and VFD and surely don't regret it!!!! When I bought the KMG, I put the motor and VFD from the Coote on it, and put a 1hp dc motor and drive on the Coote that was on a horizontal disc grinder. 1hp is too small for heavy grinding such as profiling a blank. Other than that it works fine. I have an 8" on the KMG, a 10" on the Coote, and will be getting a 12" for the KMG as well as the 6" drive wheel soon.

Those pipes the grinders are mounted are really solid. The Coote sits on hydraulic cylinder with a 1" wall. It weighs over 200 lbs. The KMG sits on pipeline pipe with a 3/8" wall. I welded a piece of 8" channel to the top of it, and then bolted the KMG base plate to it. The floor base consists of a break rotor and wheel hub from a truck. Why the rotor is a long story. You can see that the attachments can be mounted to the side of the pipe.

I was going to sell the Coote when I got the KMG, but plan to keep it. It is nice having two grinders. I like the small wheel attachment on the Coote because you can position it low, high, or back. The adjustable shelf is also nice. The Coote is a good setup, but certainly not as smooth as the 3 wheeled KMG.

My advice is to get as much as possible at the beginning or your quest. You will eventually get all the bells and whistles.

Milt

IMGP1525.jpg
 
javand said:
You're much better off "justifying" the cost of a 1.5hp variable speed over "justifying" the cost of a 2hp pully setup and having to pay to wire up a 220v outlet.

The cost is probably a wash, or cheaper for the vfd and a much better investment. Most knifemakers I know are using 1.5hp, and have no complaints. I started out using a 1.5hp, and now have a 3hp and a 2hp grinder. The 3 is overkill, and the 2 isn't really that significant of an upgrade except when I'm hogging something usually more shop related than knife related.
Click to expand...

I agree go with the 1.5 with varaible speed over the 2hp and the expense of running a new 220 line. I started with the pulley set up and it worked ok but the variable speed really had a positive impact on my ability to control my grinding. The 10 inch wheel is my workhorse wheel. I profile blades initially with the 10" wheel before going to the flat platen and I grind most my bevels with it.
I would say to go with the 1.5hp VFD ten inch wheel and flat platen KMG set up and add other options as you can. The extra cost will be well worth it.
 
I just can't afford any variety of the vari speeds right now. And i will be chunking steel on this so it looks like I need the 2 hp motor instead of the 1 1/2, and I definitely cant afford the 2 hp vari speed. As I said this grinder will be used for other things where I'll need the power

Right now I think I'm headed for the 2 hp 3 speed and new outlet...
As much as I can see the benefit of a variable speed I don't have that much moolah in my pocket
 
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