Hurricane Grinder

oilSlick

oilSlick

Joined
Apr 6, 2009
Messages
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I am building my ultimate work bench in the garage. When I'm finished, I am moving away from my jeep hobby and my firearms hobby and I've decided to focus on a new hobby...knife making.

I've seen some of the more expensive grinders recomended by people here...KMG, Bader. Can I get away with a smaller, less expansive belt grinder? Or should I just save for the bad boy now and dont waste my money.

This is one that seems like it might be workable. Anyone have experience with them? The hurricane...it runs $300-$400 depending on the model.

http://www.vansantent.com/multitool_hurricane.htm

:barf:<---swine flu
 
Judging from the demo video, it's FAST. Which is great for profiling and rough work, but not so good for later steps.

I'm not crazy about a horizontal belt that turns towards me, either. I like the belt to turn either downward or away from me, so I can grind looking at my edge and come down to it. Plus, if something gets away from me, I don't want it coming straight at me. :eek:

Look into a little 2x42 Craftsman if you want to something cheap and fast to get started with. I'm pretty happy with mine. That will save you a couple hundred bucks to put towards the bad boy.
 
Looks like a pretty nice unit but there are several problems with it that I can see. First there is now way to slow the machine down and that is pretty important to most of us. Secondly the belt size is pretty small. You can make knives with a 2"x36" or 2"x48" belt but they wear out quickly and are not always available in the grit you may want. If you were to get one I would suggest the hurricane with the 8" contact wheel. With that set up you can hollow grind, profile and use the disc for tapering tangs and such. But for the same $445.00 you could set up a Coote grinder wich uses the standard 2"x72" belt and has a 8" contact wheel and a flat platen . The Coote can be set up with step pulleys giving you variable speed. If you are handy you could also build a "no weld" grinder for the same cash and have a hell of a nice machine that will do anything that you can think of.... Look up Coote Grinder http://www.cootebeltgrinder.com/Images/TwoGrinders2.jpeg on google.... Also look up http://www.usaknifemaker.com/store/...ath=59&zenid=806f69115264c0c78080e40991e1becf
 
That looks handy to me. A few things that bother me:

1HP is about as low as you would want to go. 2HP is more useful. 3/4 HP isn't enough IMO
The belt cost/quality/selection. A 2X72" belt costs the same, lasts much longer, and has better selections of belt type - which will help your grinding.
 
I have one of these. The complete Hurricane unit, not just the attachment. Caught a good deal on Ebay and picked it up for $60 shipped. I use it for plastic, not steel, for what it's worth A few notes:

Speed is 3,450 RPM, same as the Craftsman. Don't know if you could slow it down or not.

You can buy 4x36 belts and split 'em. Cheap and easy.

The belt can be adjusted to run horizontal like they're pictured, vertical, or any angle in between very easily (I run mine vertical.)

One side has an adjustable platen the other is slack.

Tracking is great and adjustment is done with a lever.

Belt changes are done with a push on the contact wheel which compresses and locks the arm till you hit the release lever. Very quick.

It's built very solid. The only plastic on this thing is the power switch. Everything else is heavy steel. (Edit: Looking at the pics on that site, it looks to be brass construction? Mine is made from heavy black painted steel. It was built when Snap-On still owned them, so they may have changed materials since then.)

For what I paid it was a fantastic deal, and I would take it over the Crafstman any day. Before I'd spend $400 on it though, I'd just get the attachment portion by itself (They can be found new for about $100) and attach it to a good bench grinder.
 
I would second the idea of the no weld grinder from usaknifemaker.com. It can be built for the price you are looking at for that grinder and it is a great machine. I have never used a KMG, but I am very happy with my no weld grinder and don't see needing to upgrade anytime soon, if ever.

-Mike
 
Looks like the Aussie built multitool bolted to a american motor. Cris Crawford has one that he uses vertically that is converted to use 2 x 72 belts. there is a pic on his website (http://www.chriscrawfordknives.com/Shop_Image_PopUp.asp?Rec_Num=39). they are good units that can be fitted to a three phase motor with a vfd to slow the speed down, you should be able to just buy the belt grinder attachment less motor (cheaper) and fit to an old motor. the flat platen sucks though and would need some modification, by the way they are cad plated not brass:D
hope this helps.:thumbup:
 
Thanks guys. I'll take all your advise into account. Last night I promised my wife I wouldn't buy a grinder untill I finished the work bench and finished tiling her bathroom. I'm almost finished, I just need to grout the backsplash and install the sink...(but I've been almost finished for a month now. :) )
 
i slow any machine down with a dimmer i made a box which is plugged into the wall then the machine of my choice is plugged into the box and the box has a dimmer knob which i can manipulate how much power is put into the machine
 
chemikillz said:
i slow any machine down with a dimmer i made a box which is plugged into the wall then the machine of my choice is plugged into the box and the box has a dimmer knob which i can manipulate how much power is put into the machine
Click to expand...

I can see how that would work on motors such as a vacuum cleaner, router, dremel, leaf blower etc by effectively reducing the voltage by removing part of the AC wave form (I think), but I thought that most AC motors are directly tied to the AC frequency. To reduce the RPM on most motors you would have to reduce the input 60 hertz AC wave. And what effect would that have on capacitor run motors - which is what I use on my grinder.
 
oilSlick said:
I've seen some of the more expensive grinders recommended by people here...KMG, Bader. Can I get away with a smaller, less expansive belt grinder? Or should I just save for the bad boy now and don't waste my money.
Click to expand...

I would wait and buy a top of the line one if you are serious about this. Of course if the waiting is not too long.

Patrice

Got a KMG myself and I luv it.
 
i do it to my grinder it works fine....these hurricane setups look great i think im going to buy the 2x36 attactment for 200$ you cant beat that
 
oilSlick said:
Thanks guys. I'll take all your advise into account. Last night I promised my wife I wouldn't buy a grinder untill I finished the work bench and finished tiling her bathroom. I'm almost finished, I just need to grout the backsplash and install the sink...(but I've been almost finished for a month now. :) )
Click to expand...
It sounds like you are handy and would have no trouble building the No Weld Grinder. You'll save about half of what a KMG costs and it will do most of the same stuff. I built one and love it. If you weld it would go much faster. Just have to make sure everthing is square and lined up. Tracy's plans are great, They got me off my butt and building after procrastinating for years.
 
The Grizzly unit is a great starter machine, and it has a buffer. It is also 2 X 72, has a platen and a contact wheel-and even if you upgrade later, it will still be a great utility grinder.
 
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