Grinders I've Used

Fiddleback

Fiddleback

Knifemaker
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Oct 19, 2005
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I've not used every kind of grinder. I started out with a 1x42 and quickly moved to a KMG 2x72. Since then we added a few more KMG's. They're tanks and they are quick to change arms. I also own a Burr King. Tracks way better than the KMG and runs so nice and smooth and quiet. But to change functions, its a nightmare. A friend brought me his Esteem to help him wire it. The arm on this thing locks into the channel with screws. Even harder than the Burr King to change arms. I've used a bader briefly. They're easy to change out attachments and have a lot of attachments to choose from. The base looks like flimsey sheet metal to me. This certainly wasn't an issue during grinding because it was bolted down.

We're moving to a new shop and I'm going to add two more bases for KMG's. IMO, you can't beat KMG's for production knife work.
 
After using many different grinders, what would you recommend to a newbie? Motor size, vfd or not, flat platen or contact wheel(and what size)

I want to make that jump to a 2x72 but the water is deep. I was considering a coote style due to its cost effectiveness, but the old lady wants me to get quality of im going to drop that much. So I'm thinking about a kmg. So i am just curious about your .02 on the subject.
 
There are two KMG's in our shop, one a 2 hp the other a 3 hp. Both have 6" drive wheels which gives 5400 sfm belt speed. For grinding bevels there is no substitute for horse power and belt speed. With a new 36 grit ceramic belt the 3 hp cannot be slowed.

I have a Pro-Cut that runs 1 1/2 hp variable speed and its great for sharpening and handle work, but for hard work its the 3 hp KMG.


Fred
 
viral said:
After using many different grinders, what would you recommend to a newbie? Motor size, vfd or not, flat platen or contact wheel(and what size)

I want to make that jump to a 2x72 but the water is deep. I was considering a coote style due to its cost effectiveness, but the old lady wants me to get quality of im going to drop that much. So I'm thinking about a kmg. So i am just curious about your .02 on the subject.
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I've been making knives about 6mos or so now and started with a cheap 1x30 from HF and a craftsman 4x36. I was faced with your exact delima what 2x72 grinder should I purchase??? Well after doing a ton of research and not wanting to spend 2k on my first one I ended up with a Pheer flat platen, 1hp variable speed and it was the game changer!!!! took my knives to a whole new level I didn't think was possible as fast as it happened. I don't think it was the exact grinder but I know for a fact it was moving up to a 2x72. It literally changed everything for my knife making in a few days. One thing i will recommend regardless of what grinder you end up with invest in a glass platen it's well worth the extra $$ and will last much longer than a steel flat platen. mine was toast in about 2mos and then I found the glass ones you install with JB weld. I can see an upgrade to a 2hp in my future though. I can stall out the 1hp in slow speeds. So it's true what they say, there is no substitute for HP.
 
Fiddleback said:
..... A friend brought me his Esteem to help him wire it. The arm on this thing locks into the channel with screws. Even harder than the Burr King to change arms. ......
Click to expand...

My esteem arm comes out with the twist of the handle that locks it in place. Very easy and seems to operate like most other grinders of this style.
 
I've had the opportunity to grind on several different grinders; Wilmont, Bader I & III, KMG, TW90 and my own GIBs. All were variable speed. The TW90 is without a doubt the best grinder. It is smooth running, tracks great, comes with a lot of attachments and the work rest is pretty good (though not great). The Bader III is really smooth but, the work rest is attachment is not as good as the TW90. The Bader I was smooth running but all adjustments were clunky. The Wilmont was a tank, tracked well enough though not as smooth as the TW90 or Bader. It has the best work rest setup in my opinion and can be used in horizontal like the TW90. The big downfall of the Wilmont is the space it takes up on the bench; it uses a lot of real estate. I had pretty limited time on the KMG but thought it was a nice grinder. The work rest setup is not as good as the TW90 or the Wilmont but, I think it ran quieter and smoother than the Wilmont. My GIB's are pretty good but they are really a product of the work you put into them. Mine are not as smooth as a TW90 but are easily equal to a KMG. The work rest setup is only beat out by the Wilmont as the Wilmont has two work rest slots and the GIB has only one. I have had occasion where that lower position on the Wilmont would have been handy and I was forced to grind freehand where using a rest would have been better. They all have their merits. If I get to a point where it makes financial sense, I would buy TW90's. I would not trade my grinders for any of the others.

Bob
 
A run of tool rests and articulating tool arms for the KMG is on my short list of projects for 2015. If anybody has any input on what they'd like to see to improve the KMG work rest I'm incorporating a wish list now.

...sorry for the hijack...
 
I'm with you Andy. Hard to beat the KMG. I run two of them. I'd like to see them use a different material for the rollers. Aluminum wears quickly. I've had to rebuild my rotary platen twice with new rollers.
Scott
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
A run of tool rests and articulating tool arms for the KMG is on my short list of projects for 2015. If anybody has any input on what they'd like to see to improve the KMG work rest I'm incorporating a wish list now.

...sorry for the hijack...
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I will be watching for your creations . I need an adjustable tool rest with degree marks and a way to lock it in at the marks as opposed to just a visible alignment.
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
A run of tool rests and articulating tool arms for the KMG is on my short list of projects for 2015. If anybody has any input on what they'd like to see to improve the KMG work rest I'm incorporating a wish list now.

...sorry for the hijack...
Click to expand...

Can we sign up now? No really, I am serious. :thumbup:
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
A run of tool rests and articulating tool arms for the KMG is on my short list of projects for 2015. If anybody has any input on what they'd like to see to improve the KMG work rest I'm incorporating a wish list now.

...sorry for the hijack...
Click to expand...

A tool rest that will articulate up high enough to work off of the top 2 inch wheel on the flat platen attachment. (hope that makes sense) Just to rotate up to that point then back midline to the flat platen quickly.
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
A run of tool rests and articulating tool arms for the KMG is on my short list of projects for 2015. If anybody has any input on what they'd like to see to improve the KMG work rest I'm incorporating a wish list now.

...sorry for the hijack...
Click to expand...


I'd be very interested in what ever you could come up with Nathan.
 
I've used all of the major grinders with the exception of the Esteem and the Wilton.

I own a TW-90, a KMG and a GIB.

If I had to buy another grinder, I would probably order another TW-90 or perhaps a Wilmont.

I would like to see a better tool rest for the TW-90 and a different method of securing the tooling arms. Otherwise, no real complaints.

I'm not really a fan of the KMG. It's a decent machine; I just think there are better options out there.
 
I've had a chance to use a TW90 twice, and both times it amazed me.

Bader BIII would likely be my next pick, merely because there custome service has been exceptional, even though all I've purchased from them were accessories. I own an old Wilton Square Wheel, and although its a workhorse, it's not smooth, adding an attachment invariably requires modification of the machine somehow, tool changes take forever. I use it, but I don't like it...


I've used KMGs, as well. Not bad, but by this point there should be a direct drive version. No paint. That shouldn't be a big deal to me, but it is. Just one more thing to worry about. I live in an area that sees serious humidity, and no sun. Shit rusts on me if I look sideways.
 
They are all good!

Have two Bader BIIIs' and a KMG. I do like the Bader best, but would buy either as my next grinder.
 
I mainly use a KMG with almost every attachment made for it and 4 or 5 tool rests I have designed or copied. I also have a GIB that the main advantage is tilting horizontal and the second tool arm slot which uses the tool rest I copied from a Wilmont grinder design. The direct drive is less noisy and maybe a touch smoother but no real performance advantage in my opinion. If I could only have one grinder it would be the KMG. Both are 2 hp variable speed. Larry



fANgj51l.jpg
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
A run of tool rests and articulating tool arms for the KMG is on my short list of projects for 2015. If anybody has any input on what they'd like to see to improve the KMG work rest I'm incorporating a wish list now.

...sorry for the hijack...
Click to expand...

I'm game for one. I'd like to see a mitering gauge on the table, vertical adjustment and just make the damn thing easier to install! I do hate the two bolt method on the bottom of the tool arm!
 
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