grinder question

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pike3e

Joined
Sep 28, 2008
Messages
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I have decided to upgrade grinders. I was planning on ordering a kmg with 10 inch wheel, small arm and flat platten 2hp non variable speed (about 1500 dollars give or take) . I just located a wilton square wheel that is 1 phase/ 1hp with platten and small wheeel for $450. I am basically just starting off making knives and really enjoy it as a hobby only. Any thoughts on the best purchase?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks
 
I'd say 1 horsepower isn't enough for most makers after they've been working a while. I'd say go for the kmg as well.

--nathan
 
I'd say buy the Square wheel and upgrade it to a VS. I respect Rob and all but 1000 savings or so is a lot of money and it'd allow you to upgrade to a VS.
 
Go for the KMG! If the Square Wheel is a stock model 4103 (the single speed) its likely going to have the factory drive pulley on it...which is 10", and runs the belts at 4600sfpm! Way too fast.....
 
If you can afford the KMG its going to be your best bet. I have a coote grinder running on a 3hp motor and can't imagine anything smaller. 1hp is just to small, 2hp should to just fine though. And you definitely want some speed control, especially if you are doing stock removal. There are times with thick stock where you just want to remove it like crazy, I have my grinder set up with to go 3300-5400sfpm and I like the high speed for removing thick stock.


-Josiah
 
Knowing what I know now, I would buy a Bader B3, or KMG, in that order.
with 2 HP variable speed...but $$$
They have excellent accessories for them. Ie the small wheel bracket on the Bader3, flipped on its side...I covet that deeply, MAP arm...good too.

I now have a Bee (Canadian made very similar to the Square wheel) fixed speed
1 HP. (motor draws 12 amps on 110v = std 110v 15 amp outlet)
You can plug it in ANYWHERE
Variable speed was not known to me at the time.

when using the platen it is cramped off the left side of the platen.


for 450$, I would buy it up quick....even as a second grinder.
at that price, you have 1000$ to mod it to what ever you want.
a smaller drive wheel will slow it down very cheaply.
VFD and motor change is still economical

In my view 1 HP is enough power at the high speed 3400rpm.
I'm using a very light touch because of the fast belt speed.

having said that...my mistakes happen fast and I will convert to variable speed.

When I modify to VS, I will go to 2 HP to ensure that i don't lose any power/torque at lower speeds.



Buy it and sell it to me for 550 plus shipping...no I'm not kidding...
 
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Hi - I agree with everyone else that the BIII and KMG are the best bang-for-your-buck new grinders, but I think the square wheel is a good price. I know 1HP doesn't seem like much these days, but many makers used those grinders with good results, so it can be done.

If you're leaning toward the square wheel, try to get a good look at the wheels that come with it. A fellow knifemaker a few months back told me and a friend that he had drug out one of his old square wheels that has been sitting for a couple years, turned it on and the tire came off the hub. He went to another and the same thing happened. Might be the case with any wheel that sits in whatever shop conditions he has, or it might be the way the rubber ages on unused square wheels, I don't know.
 
I think the Wilton is a good deal too. I picked up a model 4103 the other day along with an Evenheat Kiln for $1,000. Both used but in good condition. Also got about 30 sets of knife scales & some metal thrown in. Thought it was a pretty good deal. I just got to get use to grinding on the thing, going from a 1" Delta. I was wondering if you put a 6" wheel on the Wilton to slow down the speed if the 72" belts will still work?
 
I would get the KMG and the flat platen and small wheel. Then get a 2hp 3phase from Grizzly for $130 and pick up a VFD and be set to go. Grizzly also has a 10" contact wheel, no center bearings but, you can machine it to accept them or mount 2 pillow blocks on a plate on a tool arm and mount the 10" wheel on a shaft running in the bearings. Just MHO
 
I have the 'wilton and mounted a pulley on the drive pulley and then drive it with a washing machine motor....slows it down by 75% and i can convert it in 5 seconds....I can email pictures of the setup if anyone is interested....It works great for finish work on HT steel......carl
 
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