First Grinder

Like Nick I made a few with hand tools before I had sold and saved enough to get the Sears Crapmans, in 2 X 48" which work but has its limits.
I then saved enough to get my Coote grinder and then I bought a hardcore products http://trugrit.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69_90_99&products_id=5358 Which I still own and then I purchased a KMG. Which I was disappointed with.

I used it as a small wheel machine only for years and just recently I sold it. Still have my Coote and my Hardcore which is a fantastic smooth running machine and they now make a cast model thats a little less expensive thats just as smooth and solid.

You want a step pulley adjustable speed or variable if you can afford it. My motto is also "Only Cry once" Buy the best you can!
 
After hearing everyone's advice I stopped on my way home from work and created a new bank account, transferred $100 into it and made it my official knife making fund.

Hand tools for now boys, until that account has enough I'll be reading reviews and deciding what grinder purchase I'll be crying over in the future.
 
I used a flea market special 4x36 at first... knew knifemaking was for me and bought a KMG. It was money well spent!

The 4x36 helped me make knives too.. they were just as good but took longer to finish as there was more post grinder finishing.
 
I think the best dollar for dollar entry level grinder out there is the Wilmont LB1000. That is what I ended up getting, so I might be a little biased, but here is the quick version of why I think it is. The entry level setup with a cheap single speed motor and poly wheels is only a couple hundred dollars more expensive then a coote or grizzly, but unlike those two it can really grow with you. Initial buy in places it cheaper then a KMG but with add on's I believe it becomes a better grinder then the KMG. Because it has the second tool arm slot, it can do many things the KMG cannot (like have a tool arm go vertical or horizontal) and because it is direct drive, you can make it go into a horizontal mode much easier. Even with VFD, horizontal mode, tool arms..etc.. is it as nice as the Wilmont 101, TW-90, or Ubergrinder, NO, but it gets darn close. Here the picks of mine. I started with a craftsman 2 x 42 (drove me crazy) so when I went with the LB1000 I went with vfd and high end wheels, but you can easily start bare bones and work your way up. Only grinder I know that can really grow with you after initial investment. Just my two cents. Here is my setup. First one is before I built "flipping plates". Up next is a new toolrest to hold me over until I can buy the wilmont 101 rest.
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Chris of Wilmont does make a fine machine, Being able to use the small wheel machine is a big benefit and direct drive is excellent.
Two things I can tell you is pass on the grizzy and I would go the little buddy route before I would get another KMG.
Just my two cents.
 
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Thanks for all the info guys... it'll be a while before I can afford anything, but I'm doing my research now.
 
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I'm a little late to this thread, and it's a little old at this point, but not so old I feel I should start a new one. I'm thinking about ordering an LB1000 to get into knife making. I've seen a couple of images of the LB1000 lately with the black painted finish. Is it coming painted now? or is everyone just painting them black themselves? Or am I just seeing tradhunter's machine in a few different google searches? :)
 
smitchellknives said:
I had about 5-550 into it including tracking, contact and a drive wheel. The motor that I got from the treadmill is not enclosed and will eventually succumb to the dust produced, but to be honest I'll just get another one when that happens. I like to tinker and fabricate things so I really enjoyed making it all myself. I hollow grind all my knives and if you plan on doing that particular grind do not be in too much of a hurry to produce a great final product. I made a lot of prison shanks before I felt comfortable putting my stamp on them and accepting money. Its an artform and takes a while to become competent.

Steve
Click to expand...

The question was asked about the gib and total cost. Someone mentioned $550. Take a look at this

http://www.beaumontmetalworks.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=11

For $750, that is tough to beat.
 
I have been using a KMG grinder for about four years and I really think the grinder is top quality and capable of almost any knife making procedure. Mine runs on a 2 hp Electrim (blue motor) and a KBAC 27-d VFD. The down side for some knife makers is that the KMG does not flip horizontally although I have seen more than one of them set up to do that with a wooden or welded stand. I personally do not believe that I need the horizontal feature but some makers like Brian Fellhoelter (who builds the Uber grinder) say he uses it all the time. The second downside is the lack of a second tool slot which could hold an articulated tool rest like the one used on the Wilmont grinder and the one used on the Uber grinder. I have solved this for myself by making no less than four specialized tool rests for different procedures I use to make knives. For the money the KMG sold without the motor and drive makes a ton of sense to me because the grinder works so well with the basic flat platen and large/small wheels. I like to build stuff so I am considering building a GIB grinder for a second grinder and using a 3 hp 1725 rpm motor with a 6 inch drive wheel and a VFD. My vote for a new guy is a GIB if he's really handy with tools or a KMG if he just wants to start making quality knives to the best of his ability and doesn't want a "starter" or "inexpensive" grinder that he will later outgrow.
 
Haven't posted anything yet, so many posts already answering any questions I've had that I haven't needed to ha..
Wanted to say thanks for all the info.
 
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