Got a Wilton Square Wheel WOOHOO!

Seals

Seals

Joined
Oct 12, 2007
Messages
2,655
Ive been looking and looking so long for a good deal on a good grinder.Finally ran into this Wilton and i couldnt be happier.Ill have to get better at free hand hollow grinding,but the knifemaker that i worked and trained with insisted i learn it of which im glad.There is a platen setup,but i didnt get it.Here's a pic of the new toy.
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that is a nice grinder for sure and you "stole it" lol. a rest should be gravy to make for it. i'll give you a call later this evening.
 
Nice grinder. It looks like one of the older, stouter ones. And in good shape still. I put a VFD on my square wheel, and it works great. When I was running it single speed, the 10" drive wheel that comes stock on these was too fast for me, so I fitted a smaller drive wheel onto it. (7".) This necessitates drilling and tapping another tooling arm hole toward the front, so the arm can come forward to compensate for the added belt length up front. I learned this from Ed Caffrey, who has a few tricks you can read about over on his website, about improving the square wheel for knifemaking. He makes a platen which would fit on your grinder, styled after the original rotary platen. Or you can get plans to build your own.

I'm sure you're fine with using it how you got it for a while. Just having a "real grinder" is such a huge step.
 
Thanks for the info.This seems to have a 7 1/4" drive wheel.The motor tag says its 3hp.It just sings along real nice.I dont know how to get a pic of the tracking mechanics without really tearing off more than i want to right now.Sorry,but ,here is a couple more pics.
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Congratulations! I have had one since around 1980. With a milling machine, you can make all kinds of accessories for quick change outs. Also, if and when a belt breaks, it's nice to have the belt enclosed.
 
Having dodged about a dozen belts in my knifemaking endeavors, I agree that the cover is a nice add. They're required in most industrial settings, which is where Wiltons were marketed before (and after) knife maker's discovered them.
 
You will love it I've got one a bit older than that one (1977) and I leave it at full speed, great for profiling
and the one I learned to grind on. congrats
Ken.
 
Good ol grinder. Fast and loud, learn to make knives on one of those and you get pretty good.:) I bought one in 1981.
 
The Wilton is a good solid machine, I have had mine since 1987. It came with the single speed motor and the 8 inch serrated contact wheel. I found the machine ran too fast, I bought the variable speed DC motor and controller and the small set of contact wheels down to 1/2 inch for finger grooves and choils. Later I bought a 10 inch smooth contact wheel. With the add ons the Wilton is one of the most versatile machines out there. They are built well and should last you a lifetime.
 
You're lucky, I see that some one already retrofitted your grinder with a slower drive wheel. If you notice the belt scarring higher above the tracking wheel, and the fact that your brake lever stands off the drive wheel by probably more than an inch and a half, those are both signs left by that BIG 10" drive wheel. Also, it looks as if they drilled and tapped forward mounting holes for the tooling arm.

It looks like they did a good job of it, nice new drive wheel and all. If you want your drive wheel brake back, you can JB weld a wood riser with a leather brake pad onto that old brake, it worked well for me.
 
Yea,the fast and loud comments were surprising.Its smooth and quiet with a nice speed.Tons of power.My old 2 x 72 would bog down quickly.Variable would be nice.I may post some pics of what ive been using.Then you'll understand why im so dang tickled with it.
 
Seals said:
Yea,the fast and loud comments were surprising.Its smooth and quiet with a nice speed.Tons of power.My old 2 x 72 would bog down quickly.Variable would be nice.I may post some pics of what ive been using.Then you'll understand why im so dang tickled with it.
Click to expand...

You have a fine grinder! Mine had the original 10" drive wheel and I loved hogin with coarse grit belts, not so good for fine grit. When I bought my first vari speed B-III in 1997, I really learned what smooth and quiet was all about. :)
 
That's the good ole STOUT Wilton... too many machines earned their reputations on builds like you have then the company changed to cheaper materials but still sell based on the old reputation.

I learned to grind on a similar grinder. A 3HP fixed speed is an awesome hogger, you WILL learn a delicate touch as you finish grind. I was in the same boat as you when I got my first "real" grinder. You can't believe anything would make it easier or better, believe me when I say that going to VS will make it even easier and better.

For now enjoy the grinder, later as you tame that beast look to make improvements. :D
 
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