Grinders

N

ncrowner

Joined
Oct 1, 2015
Messages
44
Would appreciate any opinions on older Wilton Square Wheel grinder I am considering. Thanks
 
I don't like the factory platen on it. It's very restrictive to what you can do on the left hand side of the belt due to where the mount is. Just my take on images of looked up about it. I'm personally not very fond of the design as a whole.
 
Depends on the price I suppose. A lot of makers have used them, and probably still do. If it's in decent shape and at a good price, I'd go for it.
 
The square wheel grinder was my first grinder. I bought it in the early 1980's. They are built like a tank. I have used mine to make well over a thousand knives. Although I now have two TW-90's and a Burr King, I still use the square wheel a lot. If the price is right I would sure buy it.
 
I have heard of a lot of folks like Tom Lewis, that used a square wheel a lot, but I am in the camp that it totally depends on price. There are a lot of nice options out there for good 2x72 grinders. If you can acquire a decent motor and a VFD, which there is a lot of info available on those parts--you can end up in a 2x72 variable speed grinder pretty reasonably. That would be my goal for sure--I started with a really good 1x42 belt sander, a Burr King 562 but it was single speed and it was a huge jump forward when I got my first 2x72. (I've got 2 now and the Burr King is now variable speed.) Good luck to you however you go!
 
Totally depends on price.

I used a Square Wheel for almost ten years. I have a grinder that allows for swapping tool arms now, and would NEVER go back to the Square Wheel design.
 
Now there is the big thing as Matt is referring to. How do you or can you go from flat grinding to hollow grinding? You will for sure want to if you get involved with this making thing.I have a "Bee" which is close, but it did allow for a change to a wheel. The platen was restricted on the left hand side. I first built a new platen which gave me the room I needed - actually made several that I gave away - then built a clown for a wheel, and as well installed variable speed on both. Sure if I was to start all over I would get a recommendation of a machine that you could change tool arms on.
Frank
 
Thanks to all replies. What would be good price for old Wilton. He's asking $600 and it looks quite old in photos.
 
I bought one in 81, another in 91. My brother owns them now and they've made thousands of knives.

I don't miss em, have two Bader BIIIs' and a KMG now.
 
I've got 2, one is an old Olympic (before it was A Wilton, mid 70's) and another by wilton after they changed the tracking device. The newer
one I flipped on its side and use as a dedicated horizontal grinder, single speed, 2 7/8" drive wheel. My 3rd grinder is a Bader B111 with
tool arms- can't have to many grinders.
Ken.
 
I have a friend with one, variable speed, a nice machine but expensive parts. Not very versatile compared to modern machines.
 
I have owned one myself . It will get you in the game but it is very fast . I pretty much learned on one. But I will advise you to save and get a KMG . For me when I buy a tool that is not my first choice I end up buying it down the road . When you do that it cost you more because you have to add the cost of the first tool to the second tool .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top