Grinder advice

I don't want to quote pricing, since I'm not sure if the builders want each quote to be public, but you can get a Pheer or Esteem with motor and VFD for less than $1,600. I thought about the possibility of buying a KMG and adding my own motor and control, but in the end, I don't know enough about it to do it correctly and cost effectively. I don't even want to wire my own controller, lol.
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I certainly understand that. I didn't know jack about electricity start of this year and after being infected with knife sickness I know a great deal more than I thought I would ever understand. I recommend getting some basics down for both safety and savings.

Maybe I'll do an introductory post. "This is what knife making has done to me" thread :)

On the VFD, I've been reading about them because in my quest to have a Nick Wheeler-esque style shop I have been buying large tools like crazy and some are wired for 480 and are 3 phase, some don't work right, etc. So while I'm no expert, I know enough to be dangerous and will attempt to hook up the VFD to my motor to test it (bought it as new old stock) because the seller gave me 30 days to return it. If you want I can let you know how difficult it was.

Good luck with whatever you purchase and be sure to post some pictures!

-Augus7us
 
Robert if you want to by a KMG and would be more then happy to help you get it wired. I can walk you threw it on the phone. It is really is pretty simple procces. 30-45 min. and it would be down.
bodam said:
I don't want to quote pricing, since I'm not sure if the builders want each quote to be public, but you can get a Pheer or Esteem with motor and VFD for less than $1,600. I thought about the possibility of buying a KMG and adding my own motor and control, but in the end, I don't know enough about it to do it correctly and cost effectively. I don't even want to wire my own controller, lol.
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No sir, I'm not buying a KMG, I was simply saying that I was shopping those first, before I knew of my options. That was the purpose of this thread was to learn about options and what was available out there. I did get some very good info, we just got off track a bit, lol.
 
The wiring for the VFD of the KMG running 220VAC is easier than determining which light is out on a you outdoor Christmas Lights . . . "Crap back on the roof again"

Steve
 
I would recommend that you get a setup that does not require modification to standard tooling attachments otherwise you will be needing to do that to all your tool arms. Someone on this site just did a WIP where he milled all kinds of reliefs into the tool arms. No big deal if you and a mill but if you don't, it will be a cluster or you will be paying someone to do that. It seems that since so many people are using BMW kmg attachments that the offset should be standardized.
 
I agree. That being said, I plan on using the attachments from whatever builder I go with.
 
PT Doc if a customer of the Esteem actually needed some attachment other then I make. The Esteem and Bader and TW-90 attachments are all universal with each other. KMG also makes and sells many of there attachments ready for use the 1.25" Bader sized tooling arm When bought this way there would be no milling needed to the Esteem tooling arms to use the KMG stuff. When ordering from KMG you would order for 1.25" Bader style tooling arm.
 
A lot of guys are reading this thread because they are trying to decide which grinder to buy and what motor, drive, and accessories to buy. A lot of comments have been made on the forum about the American made Leeson motors which are more expensive than the imported motors like the "blue" motor aka Toolmex aka Electrim. I have bought 2 of the "blue" motors for my grinders and really have had no complaints about their performance and I just bought a new Lesson 3 phase 2 hp motor thinking that it would be a better motor than the Chinese built "blue" motors. I cannot tell the difference except that I was mildly disappointed that the Leeson motor has a molded plastic fan cover instead of a pressed steel cover like my "blue" motors. I really try to "buy American" when I shop but I would have bought the Chinese product if I knew about the fan cover. I am especially concerned because I am using the motor on a tilting grinder I built for horizontal grinding. It probably will make no difference but if I buy another motor soon I will be sure to buy the Chinese motor even if the motor were MORE expensive. The Leeson cost about $50 more in my case and I am not sure it is worth the difference in price. Larry
 
Ordered my Esteem Friday. Can't wait to get it. I'll update once I get it set up and running!

Thx Brett
 
Well the Esteem is finally here in boxes. I will be working in assembly tonight and tomorrow!

I'll update later..,
 
Assembled finally. Brett had to help with some screwups I made during assembly, but once that got straightened out, the grinder is good to go.

What an upgrade, top notch product, packing, shipping and support from Brett.
 
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