Grinders I've Used

KMG is a good solid machine, it sure could use better bearings though. But for the price, I feel it's the best bang for the buck- not only by itself, but for the availability of aftermarket goods. The work rest is sturdy, I still use mines for rough profiling. But have since added a DD workrest which is absolutely awesome. Articulates in just about any direction, vertical and horizontal.



 
Brock47 said:
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.
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I'll have to look again. I didn't see a locking arm. There are a bunch of allen heads that seem to tighten it down IIRC.

Gossman Knives said:
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
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I rebuild my rotary platen once a month. I wish the wheels were steel.
 
I'm almost embarrassed to say it...

I have been using the same 1hp Grizzly 2x72 for nearly a decade... no variable speed, never changed the platen or wheels. I broke the on/off switch once($7 fix). I have used a KMG, Bader and a Burr King(I think). The Grizz does everything I need it to do. I have never even considered buying another.
 
Kudos to Andy and Bob for giving an honest and unbiased assessment of the major knife grinders out there.

I've seen far to many What's the best grinder posts only to get a bunch of replies saying grinder X is the best and finding out they've just purchased one and its the only one they've ever used.

After reading so many of these I would say the TW-90 is universally considered to be the best.
 
The TW90 is certainly very versatile. I have a Wilmont TAG-101. I love it. I wish I could figure out a surface grinder attachment for it, but it's very nice.

I think if I was going to add a second grinder to the shop I'd add a direct drive of some sort with a 10" wheel set up for profiling only. 2 or 3 hp motor.
 
Brian.Evans said:
The TW90 is certainly very versatile. I have a Wilmont TAG-101. I love it. I wish I could figure out a surface grinder attachment for it, but it's very nice.

I think if I was going to add a second grinder to the shop I'd add a direct drive of some sort with a 10" wheel set up for profiling only. 2 or 3 hp motor.
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I agree about the versatility. Which is a problem for me purchasing one. I have a surface grinder and am planning a permanent horizontal with small wheel attachment. So even though it seems slick, I don't know if its worth it for me to spend 3500$ solely for slightly better tracking and smoothness than what I have.

Not sure if you saw this but I came across this in the comments watching some of Chris Williams videos yesterday.

Chris Williams1 year ago

Rob, Glad you are loving the Tag in Australia. I dont plan to make a surface grinding attachment. I was told by Travis of Wuertz grinders one could be easily placed on 1.5" arm for WIlmonts.
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I have 2 Burr Kings I like very much. Only thing I would like better about it is the arm holding platen is to close when entering from left side when doing real small blade. Small as in 2".
But regardless of what you buy get a variable speed. I cant imagine anyone will tell you different when it comes to that.

Cliff
 
I started with a 1x42 then a 2x72" grizzly. I have a KMG now and like it a lot! I would like to get some contact wheels and a angled work rest. All three of my machines get used when I make a knife.
 
I have a Viel 1"x42" that is mounted in a van for mobile sharpening and a KMG in the shop.
I use the KMG for stock removal and replacing scales on old kitchen knives but a run the crap out of the Viel. It's only a few years old and it's very tired.
I've been averaging 300 knives a week on the little guy, plus more scissors, other restaurant equipment and garden tools than I can count.
I have drawings and plans to build my own 1"x42" grinder based a lot on the Viel. Just better quality.
The DD tool rest looks pretty sweet!
 
So if direct drive is so much better, why do you think Beaumont hasnt gone that route? Are there any cons to direct drive?

I'm guessing belt drive makes it more versatile so you can use any brand/size motor you wish...
 
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Augus7us said:
I agree about the versatility. Which is a problem for me purchasing one. I have a surface grinder and am planning a permanent horizontal with small wheel attachment. So even though it seems slick, I don't know if its worth it for me to spend 3500$ solely for slightly better tracking and smoothness than what I have.

Not sure if you saw this but I came across this in the comments watching some of Chris Williams videos yesterday.
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I just got a Travis Wuertz surface grinder attachment for my KMG today and I am already making measurements and taking notes to build a 1 1/2 toolarm to fit my horizontal GIB grinder that will connect the surface grinder attachment It would fit the Wilmont grinder as well and any grinder with a 1 1/2 tool arm that runs horizontal. As soon as it is finished I will post some photos and measurements if anyone is interested. The Wilmont grinder is very cool and would benefit from the surface grinder attachment for sure. Larry
 
Has anybody seen one of the Zoomie 66 grinders in person? I found a couple youtube videos from 2013, but can't seem to find them anywhere else on the web for sale.

[video=youtube;V_IbAJ-MCVg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_IbAJ-MCVg[/video]
 
My first grinder was a HF 1 X 30, it died several years ago. #2 was a Grizzly and its still going strong. When I got ready to buy another one I called Don Hanson and on his advice I bought a variable speed Bader B-III. Hands down the best money I've ever spent on a tool. It immediately improved my grinding on the very first blade.
 
I've had a KMG and its rotary platen, along with small wheel adapter and wheels
for close to 10 years. Still all original bearings. What are you guys doing to your
poor, defenseless, homeless bearings?:D

The rotary platen runs a little hot, but I have the belt set pretty tight. No problems.

Bill
 
I have a HF 1x30. I used to dream of one day having a KMG. Two well known bladesmiths I know have encouraged me to just save up and get a TW90. The have and use both the TW90 and the KMG. I was very skeptical, because they also say to get the surface grinder and that comes to about $5,000 all together! :eek: But, after all the comparison reviews, I guess I have resigned myself to just living with the HF and dreaming of a TW90 for a few years. Heck, I've only owned a couple vehicles that cost that much. ;)
 
Jesse17 said:
Heck, I've only owned a couple vehicles that cost that much. ;)
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I get it. It's nasty trying to come up with the money, but I'll give you a different twist...

I have a Wilton Square Wheel. When I started, it was still suggested as a decent machine, and if you read the books (such as Loveless's) it was mentioned as a machine to consider. By today's standards, it's a coarse, limiting machine. I've spent countless hours and an obscene amount of money trying to make it something it isn't.

Does it work? Yes.
Do I make knives with it? Yes.

Tallying up what I have invested in it, it's easily approaching a loaded Bader, only it's not as smooth, as well built, as adjustable, as easy to change tools, etc.

...but I got a deal on it. Some deal!!!!

I spent most of yesterday trying to modify the damn thing to take a KMG platen so I can use some of Nathan's awesome attachments. Will it work? Yeah. No where near as effectively, though, and I have to jump through hoops every time I want to use this attachment.

Bottom line. BUY YOUR MACHINE ONCE!!!!!


I have to 'buy' my machine over and over again to make it attempt to be something it isn't, both with money and in wasted time attempting to make it something it's not.

I just want to make knives. I don't want to work on machines. I want my machines to work for me!!

...$5k for a TW90 and a heap of attachments sounds like the deal of a lifetime, to me, right now.
 
carbonman said:
So if direct drive is so much better, why do you think Beaumont hasnt gone that route? Are there any cons to direct drive?

I'm guessing belt drive makes it more versatile so you can use any brand/size motor you wish...
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I think the problem is that the majority of Beaumont's customers probably aren't spending the extra $8-900 for a variable package, but opting instead for the poor man's variable speed, the step pulley. You can't get that option with a direct drive single phase motor.

That said, I think Rob would be wise to offer a conversion kit for a direct drive. It'd really only take a single piece of steel plate milled for c-face motor and mounting to the rear of the KMG where the bearing plates already go. I think he'd sell the crap out of those.
 
Matthew Gregory said:
I get it. It's nasty trying to come up with the money, but I'll give you a different twist...

I have a Wilton Square Wheel. When I started, it was still suggested as a decent machine, and if you read the books (such as Loveless's) it was mentioned as a machine to consider. By today's standards, it's a coarse, limiting machine. I've spent countless hours and an obscene amount of money trying to make it something it isn't.

Does it work? Yes.
Do I make knives with it? Yes.

Tallying up what I have invested in it, it's easily approaching a loaded Bader, only it's not as smooth, as well built, as adjustable, as easy to change tools, etc.

...but I got a deal on it. Some deal!!!!

I spent most of yesterday trying to modify the damn thing to take a KMG platen so I can use some of Nathan's awesome attachments. Will it work? Yeah. No where near as effectively, though, and I have to jump through hoops every time I want to use this attachment.

Bottom line. BUY YOUR MACHINE ONCE!!!!!


I have to 'buy' my machine over and over again to make it attempt to be something it isn't, both with money and in wasted time attempting to make it something it's not.

I just want to make knives. I don't want to work on machines. I want my machines to work for me!!

...$5k for a TW90 and a heap of attachments sounds like the deal of a lifetime, to me, right now.
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Truer words have never been spoken. When I bought my grinder a friend was building one and was describing all the trouble he was having getting it set up and running right. I told him yeah, I know what you mean. I asked him do you know what all I had to do to get that new Bader operating properly? He said, "no what?". I told him that I had to go to all the trouble of taking it out of the crate and plugging it in. LOL
Like Matt said, do you wanna make knives or build/work on grinders.
 
I have made myself a 2x72 welded-no-weld-grinder clone, direct drive vfd, power is 1,5 hp...it is plenty enough, if you manage to stall it, something bad is happening to the steel IMHO. Making cheap steel fixtures is a breeze
 
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