Grinder Decisions

amcardon

amcardon

Joined
Jun 29, 2009
Messages
942
I'm probably just thinking out loud right now but I'm having a really hard time deciding on what grinder to get. I was pretty much set on going with the grinder in a box frame and building off of that but for the cost of putting that together I've seen people sell used Baders and KMGs... This will be my first real grinder (been using a Delta 1x42) and I know I won't be upgrading for a long time so I want to choose correctly the first time.

Anyway, I know it's been asked many times, and I've gone back and read a lot of threads talking about it but am still really undecided. This is a huge purchase for me and not one I take lightly. If anybody has some pearls of wisdom to share and help me in my decision I would greatly appreciate it!
 
I have 2 types of grinders used for knifemaking. A KMG clone and 9"disc grinder. I used the 9" disc exclusively until about 5 months ago when I finally built the KMG clone. THe thing I like about the KMG clone is it is very versatile. It is easily changed over for various operations. I like the discs because that it what I learned on and used for 18 years. You can get a blade really flat on a disc much easier than you can get one flat on the belt. If you would like to try them out drop me and email and you can come by and play a little.
 
amcardon said:
I'm probably just thinking out loud right now but I'm having a really hard time deciding on what grinder to get. I was pretty much set on going with the grinder in a box frame and building off of that but for the cost of putting that together I've seen people sell used Baders and KMGs... This will be my first real grinder (been using a Delta 1x42) and I know I won't be upgrading for a long time so I want to choose correctly the first time.

Anyway, I know it's been asked many times, and I've gone back and read a lot of threads talking about it but am still really undecided. This is a huge purchase for me and not one I take lightly. If anybody has some pearls of wisdom to share and help me in my decision I would greatly appreciate it!
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The Grinder in a Box is a very versatile machine, it can be set up with a flat or multi platen or a contact wheel alone, can be run either left or right handed and is very solid. The biggest cost on the machine will be the motor if purchased new or if you want variable speed the VFD. When I finally get mine up and running I think I will have a total of $850 into it, and that includes doing the wiring to put a 230V outlet in the room I have it in.

I still think it will be hard to beat that price for a 1.5HP variable speed grinder, wiring, and a selection of belts to start off with. My only hold up right now is the VFD. I finally found one for a reasonable price at a store that will ship to Canada, but they are on back order till the middle of next month:(
 
amcardon said:
I'm probably just thinking out loud right now but I'm having a really hard time deciding on what grinder to get. I was pretty much set on going with the grinder in a box frame and building off of that but for the cost of putting that together I've seen people sell used Baders and KMGs... This will be my first real grinder (been using a Delta 1x42) and I know I won't be upgrading for a long time so I want to choose correctly the first time.

Anyway, I know it's been asked many times, and I've gone back and read a lot of threads talking about it but am still really undecided. This is a huge purchase for me and not one I take lightly. If anybody has some pearls of wisdom to share and help me in my decision I would greatly appreciate it!
Click to expand...

I have used every kind of grinder made in the US and today my shop, home and work is equipted with Dozier Grinders. expensive, yes, but they are the most versital and complete you can find. Google Bob Dozier!

A. G.
 
Likely I will buy the TW90 from Travis Wuertz. It is a horizontal and vertical grinder in one and comes with the attachments.
 
All the grinders suggested so far are great. I have a KMG myself with variable speed. Love it!

The only pearl of wisdom I have (well more a rock than a pearl) is "Getting good at making KNIVES means lots of time building KNIVES". When I was pretty sure that knifemaking had me by the..., I decided to buy tooling when possible rather than build it myself. Of course I still build stuff (thanks to Nick Wheeler's new thread my to build list just got very long :(;)) but mainly jigs and small simple things.
 
Matthew Stagmer said:
I have 7 Bader space savers! I make swords every day on them! All I am saying!
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This ^ I know very few people unhappy with Baders. I like mine and will continue to buy from them. Start with the best grinder you can afford, you won't regret the purchase and if you decide to sell it you'll get most of what you paid for it.
 
I've looked at the dozier and TW grinders, I would love to get one of those but they are way out of budget...

Chuck - thanks for the offer! I might have to take you up on that on my next break. Wait, my wife just reminded me that's when she's due with girl #2... Well, I'll have to figure something else out. I enjoyed talking to you at the mini show and really would love to come check out your shop.

Thanks for the comments guys. I think my main hesitation is that I'm worried if I build a grinder that it won't be as good as it could be and that i'll regret not buying a production model. the main draw to it however, is the cost involved and that I can have multiple tool arms and still be under what a used grinder would cost.
 
Th GIB is a good option if you are competent at building such things, and are willing to put the time in. Once you have it together and tuned it is not too dissimilar to a KMG in function or tooling, so the real decision is whether you want to build or go with something closer to plug-n-play, which, of course, you have to pay more for.
My biggest outlay on building my GIB was the wheels, but I already had a motor.
 
I purchased a variable speed KMG from Beaumont Metal Works. Works great, no problems. However, you will have to wire, assemble and paint the grinder yourself. Based on this, I'll probably go with another brand for my next grinder. Some people don't care, but I'd rather pay a bit more and have a "plug and play" grinder.
 
I have plenty of experience with the Craftsman 4x36! :cool: :p It was ok for my first 30 knives but has several major problems, don't get one!


Seriously... I'll give a review of my KMG after I get it going, it is scheduled to come in the mail today!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I went KMG. I think a build your own from scratch might take 40 hours from what I've heard on forums. You will still have a lot in wheels and parts. Grinder in a box may be pretty quick - I don't know. It may take 1-2 months, but you can get an ebay motor new for $60 to $110 including shipping. You will soon have $2000 in steel, $200 in belts, $200 in measuring devices, scribers, $200 in small wheel attachments, $500 in scale materials, drill press, metal band saw. But this will just naturally grow as you make and sell beautiful knives.
David
 
amcardon said:
Thanks for the comments guys. I think my main hesitation is that I'm worried if I build a grinder that it won't be as good as it could be and that i'll regret not buying a production model. the main draw to it however, is the cost involved and that I can have multiple tool arms and still be under what a used grinder would cost.
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Speaking as a guy who never so much as took a shop class in his life and built a KMG clone from scratch years ago before all of this fancy NWG and GIB stuff...I have this to say.

It will take you a good long while to have the machine be the limiting factor in your knife quality. Once you start to realize that the machine is somehow holding you back (My platen for example is every so slightly crooked...it took years for my grinding to be good enough that I even noticed...) you should have sold enough knives to buy another grinder of your choice if you're careful about socking away a bit from every sale. Once you get a second grinder, your slightly imperfect machine will still be useful for loads of stuff around the shop like profiling, handle work, etc.

-d
 
I too have a KMG and love it. It currently runs on step pulleys. Hopefully I can swing the Vari-Speed soon. I also want to add the 9" Disc Grinder soon.
 
jll346 said:
I too have a KMG and love it. It currently runs on step pulleys. Hopefully I can swing the Vari-Speed soon. I also want to add the 9" Disc Grinder soon.
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Loved my KMG so much but just sold it and purchased the TW90! OH boy!!
 
deker said:
Speaking as a guy who never so much as took a shop class in his life and built a KMG clone from scratch years ago before all of this fancy NWG and GIB stuff...I have this to say.

It will take you a good long while to have the machine be the limiting factor in your knife quality. Once you start to realize that the machine is somehow holding you back (My platen for example is every so slightly crooked...it took years for my grinding to be good enough that I even noticed...) you should have sold enough knives to buy another grinder of your choice if you're careful about socking away a bit from every sale. Once you get a second grinder, your slightly imperfect machine will still be useful for loads of stuff around the shop like profiling, handle work, etc.

-d
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Absolutly, the more you grind the more you will notice things wrong with an inferior machine..Well I shouldent say "inferior"..What most of us do at one point or another is try and use a machine that isnt designed for knife grinding..They are fine for that are designed for, but not for things they are not designed for..Ive had two knives snatched from my hands this year because I was trying to "see my work" when the two wheel design just wouldent let me see it..
There is absolutly a reason why guys who are serious knifemakers have serious grinders..just like anything else, sooner or later your gonna need the right tools for the job..
 
I think the original poster wanted help deciding wheither to buy a new GIB or a used KMG or Bader for near the same money.
I think it's a no-brainer. A used machine already assembled and tweeked vs a kit that could take quite a while to assemble, align ect. for the same money, Used machine will win every time in my book.
Problem I see is every used machine I've seen is priced near the new price, certainly alot more than a GIB or NWG. I'd say if you can find one, grab it and start making sparks.
 
Thanks for bringing this thread back - I ended up going the GIB route and, so far, am very happy I did. I got 2 of the rotating platens as well as the standard platen. I sold a second gun to buy some more wheels and materials so I figured I'd rather have my wheels mounted so I just have to swap out the tool arms instead of unbolt/bolt wheels on.

The only problem I've had so far is I can't get my flippin drive wheel to stay put. Doesn't matter how tight I seat the set screw, the dumb wheel travels towards the motor within 15 minutes of grinding and then I have to pry it out (don't have a proper pulley puller like I probably should). Not really sure what's going on there. I've checked the key on the drive shaft and you can see where the set screw has set in, makes no sense to me or my machinist buddy why it would move like it does.

Anyway, like I said, decided on the GIB and have been very happy with my decision. Now, why didn't I listen to my gut and go VFD??? Stupid mistake that I kept telling myself I'd regret but decided to be cheap and put the money towards other materials.
 
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