grizzly grinders

M

muninn

Joined
Sep 7, 2004
Messages
21
I know that the whole "Who makes the best grinder " thing has been discussed to death, but are Grizzly grinders that much worse than a higher end grinder i.e. KMG, or Bader? As much as I would like to plunk down for a superior model, money is an issue, even though I know a quality tool pays for itself soon enough. I'm right on the verge of trying to get into knifemaking on a more serious level so all opinions would be great. Thanks
Rob
 
i have had a grizzley for about 9 months now and the only recomendation i would give you is order the 10 inch wheel right away otherwise the motor gets in the way of larger blade grinding.
 
Rob, Definatelly NOT ! I have had my grizzly for quite some time now and have enjoyed it a ton. I will be buying a KMG here very soon but will have the grizzly right next to it. Theres probably not doubt that the KMG and a couple others are superior but for the money......The grizzly cant be beat. It is in my opinion the Best Grinder for a new maker to start out on, especially if money is a factor. You wont be dissapointed. Like said previously, get the 10" wheel and get some good belts.

Shane
 
Thanks for all the input everybody, I appreciate it very much. Now to actually go and buy one. Anyone know a good place to order from, Canadian if at all possible?
 
Get what you can afford, man. The best gear in the world will not make a bad knife any better. The idea is to make the knives with what you got and learn and make progress, and save for the better gear. Nobody starts out with the uber gear right off. Get what you can and make make make! You get better by doing, and before long you'll be making nice stuff. Ask Chris Crawford about the Grizz. He makes some damn decent folders off his Grizzly. Remember: The knife comes from you... not the equipment. :D
 
Jeff said it right! I've seen fellas make some great stuff with lousy equiptment before. It the maker, not the tools in most cases. I've used grizzlies for the last 5 years before I got my KMG-1 and I still use two grizzlies in the shop.
http://www.mountainhollow.net/grizzlies_and_drum_sander.htm
I do have one hanging over the edge of the bench but, I think you'll only need the 10" wheel if you plan on hollow grinding. Since I flat grind the 8" wheel was fine for me. Just get a piece of pyrocerum for the platen.
 
J and Jeff hit it. I have made almost all my own grinders and the ones I bought, were cheapies. I have and still do make knives with files just for the fun of it.....

Now here's the difference. As you progress and start to make money from the hobby, you will find that you need to speed up. That's where the KMG comes in. It just makes it easier to create the same knife in less time. For people like myself that do not make money from it, it makes no difference......other maybe.....than being able to home brew a better grinder than FRUGAL FRINK :D :D :D Sorry Rob, I couldn't resist. BTW, I haven't been able to do it yet.
 
That's a good point Peter. I started with files and a 1x30 grinder, worked my way up to the grizzly now I've got two of 'em and a KMG and a whole lot of other tools I never thought I'd need... why the heck would I ever need four drill presses?!? :rolleyes: Start where you can and with what you can and then just get going but, when you can...the KMG that rob makes is awsome.
 
FOUR drill presses! :eek: Any need a good home?? ;)

Munnin, I have a sears 2x42 that I am happy with, if you have the money for the grizzly, get it! Although the sears is nice, 72" is much better, and I have only heard good things about the grizzly.
Also, what Don said is very true. Most makers begin with files, etc, and progress to milling machines, metal bandsaws...excuse me I'm drooling. :p

~Brian
 
northcoastknives.com has the grizzly for $295.00 and the extras wheel for
59.95
 
while you will never "need" a 10 inch wheel,,,,,the fact is I wish i had one for mine...

The 8 inch wheel is not far enough away from the motor and so doing some things with the blade will cause it to rub against the motor,,,thats a pain....

The biggest problem with the grizzly?...well, in my case I didnt know any better and I mounted the wheel right over the workbench,,,,this is wrong!

You need room!,,,you got to keep the wheel able to spin with nothing underneath it...The problem for me now is that to re-mount it is a lot of work due to the many bolts the thing has got on it to hold down everything to the bench..

The othe problem I have with my Grizzly was only found in the set-up....Clearly the people that wrote the directions have not any understanding of the way english is writen,

also, I ran into a big problem with a few pre-drilled bolt holes that were not drilled in the right spot, and I had to drill them out better...

but,,,,past such problems, the Grizzly cant be beat for the money,,,its strong,,,its got a built-in buffer all ready to go,,,,and it changes belts fast...

You can also lay the arm down and sand flat-ways if thats something you want to do ...

for less that $300 you get a good belt grinder that even if you later on, bump up to the better grinders, the Grizzly will still be there to handle the other jobs..

If you got more that $290 to spend, then go for it and get the better grinders,,,,But in my case, $300 was the limit and not a dime more could I invest .
 
Again thanks very much everyone. I was pretty sure that the Grizzly wasn't a bad grinder, I just wanted to be sure that it wouldn't be a hinderance if you know what I mean. I've been doing alright with a bench grinder, files and cleaning up with a little 1x30 belt grinder, but it's getting a little tedious. I do agree 100% that the maker makes the knife, not the grinder, but I do love good tools. Thanks again everyone.

Rob
 
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