Grinder questions

swonut

swonut

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jan 1, 2007
Messages
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I figure I'd post this here since this is where I hang out:

Was working this afternoon on putting a handle on a spyderco mule team knife and my 1x30 harbor freight grinder/sander is holding me back. I find that I'm stopping the belt and asking it to do things that are beyond it's meager means.

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So, has anyone taken the step to the 2x72 and if so, are there any lessons learned? My take is that the KMG has proven reliability and the VFD is probably something I will regret not getting, so if I jump in, then go all in.... I'm pretty sure FBF runs KMG's and I seem to remember that Andy bought a few with the new shop, so (they) must be happy with them.

Thoughts?
 
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they are the three speed models. the only issue with constant changing speeds is the belt stretches out quickly. I wish we had one or two with speed contollers. I use a Bader III personally and the next one i buy, hopefully soon, will be another Bader III with 2hp and VArible speed.
 
Great thread. I dream of getting a 2x72 grinder someday. When you guys are doing the handle work, is that an 8" or 10" wheel?
 
We had the fun of shopping around for one a few months ago and learned there are many great machines available these days. A versatile platform that could be tricked out with options is what we were after since we only wanted to purchase one machine. We ended up calling up an awesome fella named Brett Mathews and ordered a loaded up Esteem and simply love the grinder.
 
Your timing is exemplary Swonut haha. Last Thursday night I ordered one after deciding to skip the 1x30 or 2x48 all together. I'm waiting for a 1.5hp Pheer 454 with 10" contact wheel, flat platen, small wheel holder, and kbac variable speed control. Went with Pheer because of his price, reputation, and he stocks a GFCI compatible kbac controller for a $20 fee. He's got some aftermarket support and his grinder is compatible with some other brands parts as well. When I do get it, and spend some time with it, I'll post up a thread.

Speaking of grinders, I thought Andy's comment in another thread about using a disc grinder for kitchen style knives vs a 2x72 with flat platen was interesting. Will have to ask him about that at some point I think.
 
Wow! That's awesome. I have looked at the pheer grinders. I couldn't find any recent reviews. It looks like they have improved since some of the older reviews on line. You have to post pics when you get it!
 
hasco said:
Wow! That's awesome. I have looked at the pheer grinders. I couldn't find any recent reviews. It looks like they have improved since some of the older reviews on line. You have to post pics when you get it!
Click to expand...

Pictures will happen. Hopefully the learning curve will be quick and i'll have something picture worthy shortly after it arrives in 5-6 weeks. Perhaps even have a little "grind in" one day this winter.
 
Finished this one up for now and thought I'd share a picture. Dark red micrarta scales with an orange G-10 liner. Trimmed the tang a little to get rid of the last two holes and make the heel more rounded and took the blade guard down a bit.

Gooned up the handle a little in making the "waist" too thin and the orange liner is more at an angle than flat. Also need to work the micarta smoother. However, it feels good in hand.

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BTW, this is a spyderco mule team 20. Quite the slicer for you guys that want thinner knives. I think it'd be cool to see a collaboration with the mule team blank especially since the next one is CPM 4V and that huge hole seems to beg for a FBF bulls-eye. It's been fun following the mule team project and seeing the different steels and metallurgical processes. IMO, a pretty cool project.
 
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I only own one grinder with VFD, and we only use it for sharpening. Get a plain KMG. Save you a ton of $. As to the difference a real grinder will make with your work, it is immense. A real grinder will totaly change what you can do and how well you can do it.

Now. When you're putting on scales, prepare (shape and sand) the leading edge before glueup with them pinned together so you know they are even on each side. Then during glueup, just be super careful about glue cleanup.
 
If you are only going with one grinder, then variable speed is worth the extra. Andy's are set for specific ops and only need one or two speeds. Good bit diff than a one grinder shop.
Baders and KMGs have been the standard for a good while, but lot of top notch grinders out there now so shop. That being said, love my VS KMG.
Biggest thing to be concerned with is learning that a serious grinder requires serious attention and concentration and plenty of hands on practice - the big boys will eat flesh and bones without blinking so don't get lazy or sloppy.
Better grade belts make a big diff as well, go cheap on something else. Get the most Hp you can handle in your shop elec wise, another thing you will not regret.
 
I have a variable speed grinder in a box that I built. I like the variable speed a ton! If you are only going to have one grinder, it makes it very versatile. image.jpg

Being able to go fast for profiling then slow down for finish grinding and handles is great!

If you have some fabrication skills and time, this option lets you build a grinder for less than paying someone else to do it.
 
I looked at that and thought to myself, how in the heck did you get that to mount on the wall? Then I realized it was rotated 90 degrees.

How much fab is there? I don't mind tapping and some light welding, but I don't want to try to drill into the width of the steel plates. Also, time seems to be more of a premium now that I've gone back to work as a Mechanical Engineering Intern. Man things have changed in the HVAC design world in the last 25 years.... My computer in college was a cutting edge 80286 probably running Windows 2.0 if we didn't boot it up in strait MS-DOS to speed things up. Now I'm trying to use some mega simulation and CAD stuff. Lots to learn, lots to learn.
 
It is not too bad...If you have a drill press, taps, vise, and welder you are golden. There are only a few holes to drill and tap. I use to work in a machine shop and I counterbored holes and did a lot of other things to try and make it cleaner. I do not regret my decision at all! It is a great kit. I would just like holes to be counterbored and taped on the other side. The kit is made to put a bolt and nut on. I spent a good amount of time with a 4.5" angle grinder softening edges (One of my pet peeves!). It is all 1/2" thick plates that are CNC plasma cut. I have the 1.0 kit and the 2.0 kit looks like there are quite a bit of improvements. There are some sharp edges but for $275 dollars and "Flat Rate Shipping" it is not bad. (He builds a metal box inside the cardboard one! Your mail man will hate you for the day!

Hope that helps!
 
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