Grinder Recommendations

Mike G

Mike G

Joined
Jul 15, 2000
Messages
10,027
I'd appreciate any recommendations on a grinder.

What I'm after is brand names, size of belt, and any accessories that may be recommended.

I'd also like to know the best place to purchase. Cost is a factor, but quality, warranty, and customer service is more important.

Thanks!!!!!!
 
Seems like the major competitors in this field would be: Hard Core, Bader, Burr-King, and Wilton (roughly in descending order of price, from what I've seen). In the lower end of the price spectrum, you have Enco, Grizzly, and Harbor Freight. Then, of course, you have the Deltas, the Craftsmen, and the Black and Deckers--all serviceable machines for the cost, but go into them with the awareness that they weren't really designed to handle metal, and so they may not last long (I know of folks who swear by 'em, and folks who mostly swear AT 'em...)

Belt sizes vary pretty widely, according to taste, although 2x72 and 2x48 seem very popular.

You wouldn't want to go with less than 1/2 HP, or you won't have the cajones to hog off the steel, and if you can afford Variable Speed on your motor (expect to pay for this little feature, though!!), go for it--it'll broaden your usability in ways you can't begin to imagine.

Small extras that add up in price also carry immense value in usability--get something with a tool rest, even if you never intend to use it. It's easy to take things off, but--as I'm discovering--it's considerably harder to fake it if the feature isn't on the grinder to start.

Anyway, I'm sure others will chime in with a much more informed opinion than mine, and they'll be able to catch the many points that I know I'm missing. This is my $.01099999999999, for what it's worth.



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Vaya con Queso!!!
 
Well, I can speak for the low end of the spectrum. I got a harbor freiaght 1x30. Great for sharpening and for handle shaping, but sucks for grinding metal. Next, I got a Grizzly knifemaker grinder. I will be honest here. It runs well and makes a good knife, but it needs touch ups, like a new platen, tool rest, trueing up the contact wheel, etc. The machine works pretty darn good. BUT, the customer service at grizz sucks. It was on backorder for 2 months, and they never told me when it was shipped. I had to call every week until i was told it was shipped, so it sucks not knowing when it is going to hit on the credit card bill. When I got the motor, it had an odd noise, so we sent it back, and 2 weeks later, got the same motor back saying they couodnt hear the noise, so I called again. I was told it was repaired and they wouldnt let me get a new motor, but rather had a tech call my house and listen to it over the phone. Turns out, it was grease settling into the bearings or something and went away with running it a few hours. Why wasnt I told this when I got it back? Who knows. Final line: good machine, but expect to do some mods to it to make it run nice and the CS and QC at grizzly isn't exactly up to par.
 
Howdy There Code 3....!
Glad to see someone else interested in this maddening hobby...! As the others have said the main factor you have is price, the more you have to spend the higher the quality machine that you can get. I would also like to suggest that if you have a motor or can get one cheap to look into Beaumont Metal Works grinders, they are very reasonable and very well built, goo luck with your hunt....!
"Possum"

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Thomas Clegg
 
Search the boards for Coote's grinders. Just got mine this xmas. For around $400, you can have a 1hp motor and 2x72" grinder. I use step pulley's to vary the speed.
 
Thanks, guys.

Just for info, I have CNC & manual machining experience, and have a Manual mill at home. I've never made knives, but have made auto parts, which is my primary hobby.
I also have a tool & cutter grinder, which easily converts to a manual surface grinder, and I've used it as such many times.

I have an idea where to score a 2x72 belt sander (as the metalworking industry refers to them). I recently learned knifemakers call their belt sanders grinders, and I was thinking of the wheeled kind!!!

I'll have to agree on the Grizzly QC thing. I have a friend who bought woodworking equipment from them (a BUNCH all at once!!!) He ended up having to hire an attorney to make his point with their management regarding QC, and ended up getting all his money back.

Thanks for all your help!!!

Mike
 
Hi Mike
Good to see someone from the area. I tried a 1x42 belt sander also had a 8 inch disc. I use the disc.I would strongly reccomend a 2x72 belt machine.Yuo might try this address for a look atsome availble parts and stuff. http://www.geocities.com/beaumontmetal/index.html
I have a Grizz and have had no problems with it. Knock on wood. I did add a better platen and some bracing to make it track better.Also added some adjustable belt tension to keep the belt from fluttering.
All in all for $300 hard to beat.
Suggest you grt a copy of Allen Blade's video on flat grinding. He uses a Grizz.
Blade, Allen
E-mail Address(es):
allenblade@msn.com
Notes:
http://www.geocities.com/bladecutlery/blade_cutlery_site001.htm

I also made a grinder with a 10 inch wheel.
Any thing I can help you with give me a email

Take Care
TJ Smith
 
As an entry level grinder I would take a look at a Coote or possibly Beaumont Metal Works. Coming from a machinery background you shouldn't have any trouble fabricating any modifications that you may deem necessary. You may get 2X72 belts at any of the knifemaker supply houses. If you need a list, shoot me an email.

To kinda set the record straight I see a number of folks believe that a Hard Core cost more than a Bader. When I bought my Hard Core grinder over a year ago (1 1/2 hp, variable speed w/10" contact wheel) it was less expensive than a Bader with the same setup. With the standard 8 inch wheel the Hard Core is about $20 bucks more.

Either a Bader or Hard Core is a very good choice for a top end grinder. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. When you are spending that much money and the price differential is that small, that should not be an issue or a controlling factor. If it is then maybe we should be looking at something else.
 
Code,

Your best bet is a 2x72 model. Buy the best you can afford. But the good ones with attatchments are 1200-2000+

Ive been using a 2x42 craftsman with a 1hp motor for 3 years. It has a 9 inch disc on one side and nice useful tables. I made a platen out of angel iron and periodically surface grind i for flatness. I also made a tool rest that simplified changing belts a lot.

My point is cost isnt always an indication of usefulness. expensive machines dont nessasarily mean good knives.

Arthur D. Washburn
ADW Custom Knives
 
I agree... get the best grinder you can afford. You will use your grinder more than any other power tool in your shop. I paid $1900 for a Bader III with all the trimmings, far more than any other tool I have. I never regreted it.
 
I have a Bee Metal 2x72 variable which is a Canadian made clone of the Wilton sqare wheel. It was about $1400US. It comes with everything except the small wheel attachment. The beast tracks well - is quality made - great customer service - changeover from flat platen to contact wheel in less than 30 seconds - easy belt change - tension change. Easy platen change (for different edge radius - materials etc.)

I'm very happy with the decision I made.

Rob!

ps; I think most knifemakers see the difference between a belt sander and a belt grinder as the material you are working on. Grind metal - sand wood - same machine.
 
Thanks, Gang.

I'm going to check out a used Wilton a friend has in his machine shop. If I don't score that one, I'll look at some other sources. I really don't want to spend a bunch, as I will never do knifemaking full time. If I get a decent machine for low cost, and find some success at knifemaking, then I'll buy the big guns without worrying about cost.

Thanks, again!!!!!

Mike
smile.gif
 
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