Help me find a <$800 grinder....

P

paintfool

Joined
Sep 7, 2004
Messages
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has anyone tried this grinder out? (the pro-cut II)
I have about $1000CAD(820 american) to spend on a new grinder and motor.
I'm having the hardest damn time choosing one :rolleyes:
I want a 2x72 with at least an 8" contact wheel.
If I get the KMG I can't get a motor....
any input would be great!
Steve
 
Get the KMG - look for a motor. You will have way more accessory options down the road. Look around for a decent 1 hp or even a 3/4 hp motor just to get by for a while. There out there........
 
paintfool, that was my first grinder, wich I still use alot, just not for grinding bevels. The biggest problem with it is its a pain to change any adapters,
for small wheels, or even a work rest, also the tracking of the belt dos not work good on mine, and the platen is in a terrible place. I use mine now for grinding profiles, and handles, and I use the buffer. We went ahead and payed the big bucks for a bader b111, and it is awesome.
If I had to do it over again, I probably would have come up with 400 more
dollars, and got a wilton square wheel, but if you cant this grinder will work, its just more work to use .
 
Keep in mind that the Wilton has a fast belt speed. Around 4000 fpm I think. Email Jerry Hossom about his. I think you can get a wheel that will slow that baby down a little but thats the only drawback I can see.
 
Frankly, I would do what Brian suggests and get the KMG. You can a motor from Surplus Supply pretty cheap, or even eBay. For that matter, an old washing machine motor cannabalized from a derelict machineat the dump would get you rolling until you found some more money in your budget.

~or~

Buy a Grizzly grinder and use the rest of the money to buy supplies and materials. You can never get enough of those! ;)
 
Piantfool, Another option wqould be to buy the kmg platen package for 650 us$. That will leave you enough money to pick up some step pulleys from Rob and a cheap motor somewhere. Add the contact wheel and other accessories as your budget permits. From my experience it's a lot cheaper in the long run to buy it right the first time. Good luck, Rick
 
Don't get a Wilton. The KMG is a much better choice, and you can get motors real cheap (<$100 for a pretty good one) if you shop around.

There, I saved you an email!! :D
 
well so far it looks like I will be getting the KMG with the platen and saving for a motor and wheels.
funny thing is I have a working washing machine motor in my basement already.....I didn't know that was possible.
I'll also be looking at the grizzly grinders, because I would love to get so much more in the line of supplies too.......
tough choices! lol
Thanks everyone, Steve.
 
I'd recomend against the grizzly grinder, it will work, if that's all you have, but we bought one for the shop several years ago, and ended up selling it asap, replaced it with a modified baldor. Much happier with that one. And besides, I understand the 8" contact wheels are back ordered right now as well.

If I where serious about wanting to make knives, and was looking to buy a grinder, I don't see anything better on the market right now than the KMG.

Just my .02, and I'm not a knife maker by trade, just a lowly blacksmith.

Tony
 
ok another little question, what is the highest hollow grind you can get with a 6" wheel and 1/8" stock?

the reason I ask is I can get a kalmazoo or something along those lines, 2x48 with around a 6" serrated wheel.....and that's about half the price or less which means more steel, handle materials etc. I can buy.

sorry for being a PITA guys! ;)

Steve
 
You will always find spare money for supplies down the road but saving for a grinder was a one time thing for me. You will be glade if you do the same. Look at it this way. In a year when you are selling knives to buy supplies you'll be glad you have the KMG!
 
blgoode said:
You will always find spare money for supplies down the road but saving for a grinder was a one time thing for me. You will be glade if you do the same. Look at it this way. In a year when you are selling knives to buy supplies you'll be glad you have the KMG!
Click to expand...

grrrr, that's true too :(
alright kmg it is.....(I say that like it's a bad thing :footinmou )
I need more money!
Steve
 
For a decent grinding table, (though in metric) look here Grinder table just remeber 1"=25.7mm and 6mm=1/4" roughly.

Kalamazoo also offers these as well. look for this one:
2fs7221.jpg
they're list price is a little high, but you can find them elsewhere cheaper. this one comes with an 8" wheel, and 72" belt length, though it lacks the flexibility of the KMG

Tony
 
They also sell this one, hmm, does this look farmilliar or what?
s272.jpg

Don't know what list on that one is though.

Tony
 
ysforge said:
For a decent grinding table, (though in metric) look here Grinder table just remeber 1"=25.7mm and 6mm=1/4" roughly.

Kalamazoo also offers these as well. look for this one:
2fs7221.jpg
they're list price is a little high, but you can find them elsewhere cheaper. this one comes with an 8" wheel, and 72" belt length, though it lacks the flexibility of the KMG

Tony
Click to expand...

The above Kalamazoo was my first grinder, the tracking really sucks. I end up making it into a surface grinder and got me a KMG. :D
 
Paintfool, it's a never ending debate but if you have the funds the KMG seems to be first choice from the majority. I am in the same boat as you are right now, I want the KMg as my first choice but have a champagne taste on a beer budget. If it helps this is what I have learned from alot of posts here:
1) If money isn't an issue=KMG
2) Alot of people have said NO! to the Grizzly
3) Jerry backs the PRO CUT II if considdering something in between (taken from one of your earlier posts Jerry) The Pro Cut offers a 2 x 72 at a reasonable price and I believe all will agree that if you do have a choice go with a 2 x 72, if anything, even miniimal, in the long run it will help save on belt life. $500 PC II + s/h + $100 motor = +/- $650 to get you rolling
4) Another option was disscused yesterday on another thread, the JET Multi Toll Attachment : Features 2 x 48 belt $325 and needs a 1 hp motor
And before disregarding a 2 x 48 belt, take a look at some of the knives being made by them.
Just remember that this is only a collection of info that I have found and hope it helps a little. If you decide to go with the Pro Cut let me know, I'm going to order one today and maybe they will give us a deal,HAHA
Good luck
 
I would like to have a kmg, But I have a Coote and really like it. You can get a Coote with the small wheel attachments and 9" disc and still have around 700.00 in it. I have mine with a variable speed AC motor. A picture of it is at the end of this post. Coote belt grinder
 
Painfool, if you decide on the KMG (which i woudl if it had been around when i bought the bader 2) and need a motor just shoot me an email!

I have a 2 hp motor that would work alright for a few years and you could have it for the cost of shipping... its 120V or 240V AC...

Let me know if ya need it...

Alan Folts

alanfolts@hotmail.com
 
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