Grinder advice

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bodam

Joined
Sep 8, 2014
Messages
102
New member and new knife maker here. I had the privilege to meet Mike Loguidice, tour his shop and see some very nice knife work. While touring his space, I realized that I need better equipment.

That being said, my budget is a limited one. Mike has a badass KMG setup, which I would love to copy, but I just have the budget for a setup quite like that yet.

So here I am asking for opinions on getting a starting setup that won't break the bank, but offer good use for a beginner.

I'm leaning towards the KMG with single speed motor and 3 pulley setup to control speed.

I typically use platen exclusively, but having the 8" wheel would be a plus. Looks like I can get the setup with 8" wheel and platen for around $1,600 shipped.

Are there any other options out there? I have looked at the Bader, and it looks like a nice system, the KMG just looks nicer to me.
 
Im a very new maker too and I recently purchased a used Wilmot LB 1000. I have only just started using it but so far I'm very happy with it. I'm working on setting it up to flip it horizontal. Chris at Wilmot Grinders has been great to deal with too. Might be worth a look.
Justin
 
I'm definitely interested in the Esteem, waiting on him to reply to e-mail....
 
He's a good guy, but sometimes it took a couple days to hear back from him. He usually answered his phone.
 
OK, got pricing on both. The Pheer comes with more than the Esteem, and is substantially lower in cost. But the Esteem looks like it has a better build quality. I'm sure both will provide years of service, but at this point, I am still on a budget.

So right now I'm leaning towards the Pheer. I need to dig into the build and function a little more...
 
I would take the esteem over pheer any day of the week!

Granted the newer pheer grinders look fantastic, I think Brett's Esteem is incredibly well built!
 
Its hard to beat the KMG setup you are considering. There are ABS Mastersmiths that make their living with that same setup. One drawback on a budget build for the direct drive grinders, (pheer, wilmont, esteeem ect) is that you have to upgrade to a vfd if you want any speed control. Also VFD's are one more thing to break or go bad that leaves you without a grinder. I have a kmg three speed and a LB1000 with variable speed, and I still use the kmg the majority of the time.
 
There is a big difference in price between the two also. I'd have to give up the 8" wheel on the Esteem and he's still a few hundred more. But to be fair, I think his machine is built nicer, it's just about price and value at this point. Is the Esteem worth the extra money? Plus, it is probably out of my budget anyways, so it might be a lost point anyways.

But the Pheer will come with everything I will ever need, 8" wheel, platen, variable drive, extra arm, tool rests, etc. It's a hard deal to beat for a beginner with a budget.

But once I've decided, I will contact both, and see who makes me feel warm and fuzzy about investing in them.
 
The new Pheer models look many times better then his original model. He has good price and a pretty good reputation at helping his customers quickly.

Not a fan of his original model but the new one looks like a winner
 
I have replied to many threads like this and will add that the Pheer 454 is an amazing machine regardless of price. It's direct drive, compatible with the same arms as the KMG, has two tool slots, uses a KMG platen and you can get one with a VFD for not much more than a 3 speed KMG. I would, however, save a little more and get the 2hp motor and small wheel attachment. If you have questions about it, call Jose, he'll take care of you
 
decide on what you really want. If you can't afford, then wait until you can. buy once, cry once. be happy. life is too short for compromises.
 
JMJones said:
Its hard to beat the KMG setup you are considering. There are ABS Mastersmiths that make their living with that same setup. One drawback on a budget build for the direct drive grinders, (pheer, wilmont, esteeem ect) is that you have to upgrade to a vfd if you want any speed control. Also VFD's are one more thing to break or go bad that leaves you without a grinder. I have a kmg three speed and a LB1000 with variable speed, and I still use the kmg the majority of the time.
Click to expand...

This is a really good point and was the finial factor that put me on the path to a KMG clone build, with a 3 step pulley. I knew I needed some ability to vary speed if I wanted to use small wheels. VFD is just too expensive at this point and I can upgrade later. Thus far my grinder build has cost about $500. That is with most of the materials and machining of those materials at no cost. Still need a motor, gas piston, and a 10" grizzly wheel (and bearings). When it is all said and done I expect to have about $1000 invested (flat platen and 10" grizzly wheel) not including a small wheel attachment or more likely a double billy roll attachment. Point being that it isn't much cheaper to build. If I were buying I would buy the KMG with 3 step pulleys.
 
Take your time and look around. I found a like-new KMG with a VFD on craigslist last month. I had to drive 1100 miles to get it but I only paid $1600 for the grinder, a small wheel attachment with three wheels, an extra tool arm, and $200 worth of new belts. I was in the same boat as you. I highly recommend the VFD if you can swing it. It works great for sharpening and fine work.
 
bodam,

I glad you took my advice to ask your grinder questions here. I see you've received some good guidance already. This is a great forum.

Mike L.
 
A KMG is built like a tank . . .

When I got mine I thought "why all this steel?"

Well I now appreciate the "overkill" construction . . . passes the nickel test regardless of where I put the nickel . . .

Like any power tool, buy the best you can afford + a little extra . . .

Spend more on the base unit buy accessories as you find a need for them . . .

Trust me, I am the worlds worse at buying tool accessories before I need them, and later find out I really needed something else . . . :-)

Steve
 
Regardless of the price difference, I would get the Esteem over the KMG.

If price isn't an issue, get a TW-90.
 
KMG is proven and rock solid. It is very upgradable later on and the attachments are professional quality also. Used ones are sold in a flash for a good reason.
 
At this point, I'm leaning towards the Pheer, without the 8" wheel. I can always add one later. Jose quoted a great price shipped, with him doing all the wiring, etc. Once I am ready to pull the trigger, I will call him and Esteem and make a final decision, but the Pheer seems to have a solid following here, and he is hundreds less than the other similar setups.

That being said, what are the comments about the Pheer new model? Anything that stands out, either positive or negative?

One thing that I will need to fab up is a larger tool rest. Being a noob at flat grinding, I use a homemade jig to grind. And I need a larger area to move side to side while grinding. I'm hoping either Jose or myself can figure out an easy way to make a nice solid work rest.
 
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