Grizzly questions

shappa

shappa

Joined
Oct 15, 1998
Messages
3,556
O.K. Grizzly is having their summer sale and it's about to end. I need to decide on some things. They have their grinder/buffer on sale. The grinder has an 8 inch wheel, they also have a 10" aluminum/rubber wheel for $59. Is it worth it to spend the extra $ for it? I'm just a newbie at making knives. I don't expect to be pumping out dozens of knives a year.

They also have a pnumatic sanding drums for it...3x6, 4x6 or 6x6 at $30, 35, and 50. Are these worth the extra expense? the 3x6 might be worth the ability to do tighter contours.

Also (yes...I know I'm full of questions) which buffing wheels do you use/recomend. which compound?

Thanks guys for any and all help!
 
An 8" wheel would be fine for much of what you'll do. Of course it will depend on whether you'll be flat or hollow grinding. I flat grind but, use the wheel for the spine and such contours as that. You only advantage I can see with the 10" wheel is that it would give you a bit more room to get around the motor on the left side if your hollow grinding.

I never tried the pnumatic sanding drums for it. If you can rip/tape used 2x72 belts and use that I'd say go for it. I have an ocillating drill press from Grizzly that I use for this purpose. If you have to buy sanding drums for it though, I wouldn't bother. They don't last long and get expensive quickly.

I use spiral sewn cotton wheels from Pop's with Matchless green and mirror white compound, also from Pop's (just like the belts for it too).
 
I like to "switch it up" some and like to do both flat- and hollow-grinding. The ten-inch wheel is well worth the extra money if you decide to do hollows. It's a versatile wheel for many sizes of knives. The only problem is that it also speeds up your machine.

Either way, it's a good, solid machine. I recommend it. :D
 
Thanks guys,
I'm planning on doing flat grinds. So I'll stick with the 8" wheel for now. I can always get it later.
Can you split a 2" belt and have it run on the grizz? How tough is it to split belts?

again ,thanks for the info!
 
I bought the 10" wheel, but don't use it because it heats the steel up to fast for my liking. I just do flat and convex grinding, so don't really miss it.

The Grizzly is a really good deal. It is well worth the money.
 
As far as splitting belts, I'm not too technical about it (the same can be said about most things I do). I put the belt on the Griz and rotate it so the seam is towards the front. With a retractable knife I split the seam with a 1" cut and pull the belt apart from there. It's not always dead even when your done but, it's usually pretty close. As good as I'd need anyway.
 
I got a Griz a few months ago. Some problems with the wheel shaft and the bores in the wheels, but Grizzly was GREAT to work with-they really have great customer service.

IMHO, the 10" is worth it just to gain clearance away from the motor. The 8" makes it pretty tight grinding the left side of the knife.


Nice machine, like it a lot.


Larry
 
About Buffing Wheels?

I havn't seen anyone say anything about using a hard felt lapping wheel to buff knives. I use one to do anything flat on jewelry and you can't beat it for shine. Might be a little safer than the sewn wheels most use and if should make grind lines almost jump out. Just wondering.

Bryan
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top