Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!!!

T

Trick

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Mar 3, 2001
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After over two years of almost having enough money, I finally have a money order in the mail for a 2"x72"x10" Coote Grinder!!! I am so happy! I ordered it and his 2-3-4 and 4-5-6 pulleys.
As most of you know that have been keeping notes from my posts ;), I have almost ordered a grizzly 4+ times and backed out because I just could not let myself spend that much on Chinese goods. I know with some mods they are a fine machine, I just wanted American. I really wanted a KMG, still do, there is just no way I can do it now. I tried and tried. I have had the money for the coote a couple times hoping I could save more to get the KMG but it never fails, as soon as I came close something came up. This time I didn't chance it!
My goal now is to have some fun and hopefully please myself with the knives I make. I probably messed up by not buying a Grizzly over two years ago. I missed out on two years of experience because I didn't. Better late than never I guess!!! :)
 
Outstanding!!!
You're gonna be one busy individual, lol.
We won't hear from you for eons after you fire that Coote up and put that first blade to it.
I think you did the right thing passing on the Grizzly and saving up for the Coote grinder.
Congrats JCR!!!
 
my first real grinder was a coote. rob frink wasn't on the seen yet. his are a fine machine.i feel you made a wise choice by passing on the grizz, by the time most guys get done rebuilting them they have spend as much as the coote or kmg. i use my hardcore mostly now and the coote for handle sculpting and sharpening you also can get a great convex grind by taking out the palten. one thing i have learned is its great to have a back up machine. because if i have any machinery problems it always happens a week or two before a show :)
 
Rhino talked me into the Coote and I look at it now as I write this. My Coote arrived this very Monday. I too got the 2 X 10 X 72. I am now working, slowley at the moment, on the power train. For my last and first 10 knives I have used a 1 X 30 HF. I am pleased with Rhino's advise and it frightens me to remember how very close I came to ordering the Griz. I love my Grizzly mill but the Grizzly grinder offers little options for motor speed control and such.

Talk to us about what you have in plan for a motor and such. I am using (still in the making) a 1 1/2 Hp Dc motor with a electronic Dc motor drive for speed control. Itrade is doing the same with his new KMG.

I also got the gang pulleys from Norm Coote. I have found that the small pulley is not balanced. I was able to use modeling clay to 'pretty much' bring it into balance. When I return to my camp I'll bring back my postage scale (used for weighing ground deer) and weigh the clay so I can mill a piece of aluminum weight for permanent attachment. I have not yet spun the larger pulley.

I hesitate to say this because I often am accused of being an old grandma but ..... be careful of that Coote (ANY GRINDER). I already hurt myself without it even being powered. The top of that 10 inch wheel will pull your finger right into and through the back of the steel flat platten. If it was powered I would have lost a finger. As it was I just got a cheap leason (I was spinning it by hand, just playing around).

ALSO, on the Coote with the 10 inch drive wheel the bottom of wheel sets (on mine at least) almost at the very bottom of pedestal height. I will make my base so that the bottom of wheel provides enough clearance between it and the bench so that a hand can pass under without being ground into sausage. Well, Grandama done now.

Roger
 
get your attention fast! norman design a belt tention device with some imput from me. it really smooths things out by compansating for any belt strech. ask him about one.
 
Hi junkcarsrock, this is DaQo'tah


Im happy you got a good grinder, and look next to seeing you post a few photos of your works. Also I hope you can start a little website to post your work as you learn new things. I found my website is a great help in keeping track of what I have learned and need to work on next.

Im also interested in how your grinder works ?,,how is the first setup?...how fast from opening the box to grinding your first steel? how does it change belts?

In time I also will be in the market for a better,faster grinder,so im interested in how you like yours over time too.


Now as for my Grizzly?..LOL...well,,yes, my belt grinder didnt fall from Heaven, and yes, its got a few problem with the tracking from time to time,,,But I got it at about 10:00 in the morning, and I was grinding on it within one hour and a 1/2...not bad for a guy who didnt have a clue how this thing worked, had never seen a belt grinder before, and didnt have many tools to set it up with!

I also faced that problem of what to get ,when,and for how much$?,,,I had the money for the Grizzly, but wanted a better unit,,I decided that I could not waite, ..I have no real 2nd thoughts,,I have had many knives under my belt that would not be even made yet if I was still sitting on the fence.

Good Luck! and keep us reading things about your work!

see my webpage- http://eastof29.tripod.com/daqotahforge2/id7.html
 
For a motor you might want to check out garage sales for a horizontal drive Briggs and Stratton. 3hp is the norm. No 220 wiring required. Variable speed. Air cooled. - what more could a guy want?


"Hey what's that noise in the garage?"
"Oh that's Steve. He just got a new FlowMaster for his grinder."


Steve

:D
 
DaQu ,

I am sorry. I did not intend to put any machine down and I do like products from Grizzly.

For me, I had a 1 X 30 to use while trying to save up for a 2 X 72. So, it wasn't like buy a 2 X 72 or not be able to grind at all. I see your point and may well have gotten the Griz if I did not have the 1 X 30 to buy extra time with.

Roger
 
I have a grizzly, I have never really ground a blade on anything else. There have been some times I wished I could slow it down, and I have been wanting a small wheel attachment for a long time, but other than that I think mine is a great machine. I just ordered a KMG, and I am really excited about it. But I waited until I had made enough money from my knives to pay for the KMG. Also a lot of things in my life have been passing fads, and I didn't want to spend thousands on tools that I wouldn't be using in six months, but for now, I have been obsessed with knives for around 20 years, and have been building my own for around 2 years with no signs of stopping.
I don't think you can go wrong with a grizzly.
Kyle Fuglesten
 
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