GRizzly grinder straight talk

S

Sammy Mickel

Joined
May 11, 1999
Messages
61
Like a great deal of people I'm in the market for a afordable belt grinder. After reading a post by Osborn, Hope I spelled your name right, I've seen where just a few people own one. I'd like to see just how many of you guys have one and some pics of the work produced by them. Please give all the pros and cons.

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I bought a grizzly grinder once about a year ago, I was quite dissapointed to say the least. It was so out of balance that when you would shut it off as the wheel slowed it would shake the entire four by eight foot bench it was bolted to across my shop floor!! In the process it also ate the bushings that support the arbor in short order. So I sent it back and grizzly returned my money no problem.
Now I'm going to try a Coot grinder and see if I have better luck

Todd
 
I know money doesn't grow on trees guys, but do youselves a favor and save up the $900 you need to buy a Wilton square wheel grinder.Jantz sells em and their shipping is a flat rate $6.95.
If you're serious about knifemaking and have the talent to turn out a good product, you'll make the $900 back in the first 3-4 months. Then you have to start paying for all the other toys knife makers need and want. I've had my Wilton for over 4 years now and used it hard. The only thing that worn out on it was the original contact wheel, and it didn't really wear out, it just became unbalanced and vibrates too much to be used for anything other than rough grinding. Well, thats how I feel about it. If the Lord ever lets me win the Lottery, I'll donate a couple dozen Wiltons or Baders to the forums for prizes. Take care! Michael

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http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
 
The main problem that I keep hearing about when it comes to Grizzly products is that their quality control stinks. One person will have a product that they swear by, another will have one they swear at. I know the problems that have been described, and I figured that for $300.00, it was worth the risk, so I went for it. I haven't had any of the problems described, except that the graphite coating on the platen becomes detrimental to leave on there after a couple days. Mine tracks better than my Craftsman, I mean a LOT better, and is in a whole other league than any other grinder I've used. The only problems with it are that it's fairly limited. 1hp, 1750rpms, and it's staying there. No upgrades, and that's limiting.
Allen Blade uses a Grizzly in his flat and hollow grinding videos. I've got them on the way, you can get his take on it for $13.00 and see it at work.
Hope this helps,

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Oz

Now, what other news did I have? Oh yes, IT'S A GIRL!!!
See her and my latest blades @
http://www.freespeech.org/oz/
 
I had a Grizzly on order, but decided to go with a Coote and a Grizzly 2 HP motor. The motor hasn't arrived yet, but I just got the Coote and it looks a lot sturdier than the Grizzly, judging from Allen Blade's flat and hollow grinding videos.

To compare apples to apples, if you want a 1 HP grizzly with a 10" contact wheel, you'll pay $340 for the grinder and $60 for the contact wheel, total of $400. For a Grizzly 1 HP motor and a Coote grinder with 10" contact wheel, you'll pay $110 for the motor and about $410 for the grinder, total of $520. For the extra $120 you get a machine that I believe is sturdier and that can do hollow grinding without modifications. Plus you have more accessories available with the Coote, and the option to upgrade to a more powerful motor - the 2 HP Grizzly motor is only $100 more than the 1 HP. I thought it was money well spent.

Ryan



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For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23


 
I have never used or seen a Grizzly, so I can't comment on it's quality. I will however totally agreee with L6Steel's post. I have a Danish made version of a Wilton and it's an excellent machine. A grinder is one of the most important machines for making knives, and certainly if you plan on hollow grinding, you need all the advantages you can get. Always save up if you have to and buy the best tools you can possibly afford. It's most always cheaper in the long run.

PS Don't waste your mony on those crap drill presses either. The won't drill a true hole.

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Totally new website!
http://www.wilkins-knives.com
 
Ryan may have discovered the way to go (without handing over in excess of a grand). I have had the Grizzly five or six months. My major complaint is the lack of variable speed. Most of the other problems I have been able to solve with a little inguinuity.
Loose the bushings. They are useless. I also removed the graphite. My platen did not come flat. After some bending and sanding on my sanding block it works fine. Check the archives as much has been said about this grinder.
BTW, I just visited a maker who used an 'inferior' grinder for many years. His knives were bringing thousands of dollars each. It shows that you do not need the greatest machine to do the best work. It does, however, make it easier.


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But when the law, by means of its necessary agent, force, imposes upon men a regulation of labor, a method or a subject of education, a religious faith or creed---then the law is no longer negative; it acts positively upon the people. It substitutes the will of the legislator for their own wills; the initiative of the legislator for their own initiatives. When this happens, the people no longer need to discuss, to compare, to plan ahead; the law does all this for them. Intelligence becomes a useless prop for the people; they cease to be men; they lose their personality, their liberty, their property. -Frederick Bastiat
 
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