I have a grinder question, Kalamazoo 2 X 72...

[Motey]

Has anyone any experience with this grinder? I'm pretty new to knife making, but have already realized the limitations of my 2 x 42 Craftsman belt. Lack of access to a good contact wheel being the first drawback. I could probably alter it so I can grind against the bottom wheel, but since it's a good tool as is, I'm reticent to do that. I'm looking at the 2FS72 by Kalamazoo specifically, the one with out the motor. I have a motor to use and it would allow me to tilt the grinder into the position I want it to be in.

What I would like to know is if any of you experienced makers have used this grinder, and if it's worth the money. I've also looked at the Grizzly 2x 72, which is fairly comparable in price. However the large contact wheel for $75 and $80 shipping cost makes it pretty much $150 dollars more than I can set up with a new motor and the motor-less Kalamazoo. Any thoughts on this tool will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[sunshadow]

I have a kalamazoo 2x48 that I have had since 1990. The only good thing about it is the Baldor motor which runs beautifully. The second mod I made to it (the first was removing the guards which I shouldn't reccomend because of the safety liabilities) was welding a piece of 1x2 channel iron on as a platen because the sheet metal platen was neither flat nor able to extend far enough from the column to support the belt. The drive wheel is hard black rubber and slightly crowned, trying to use it as a contact wheel does not work, it sets up a chatter and bounce that shakes the whole machine. I have a 2x72 Grizzly that I got about 6 years ago, the belt wanders a bit and really getting into it takes the belt right off but if you know the limitations it is a workable machine for a reasonable price, and the bottom wheel works as a contact wheel. I am building a KMG clonethat will hopefully replace both of these grinders when I get it finished

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[Salem Straub]

I'm not much a fan of any of the two wheel machines. I have yet to meet one other than one I built that I felt was really good for hollow grinding, and I hate not being able to look down the platen from above for some work. Tracking and vibration are mostly inferior to three wheel machines as well.

I know it sucks that the $500 range of grinders is limited to two wheels. Unless, you like to build things- in which case you could build yourself a single speed three - wheel machine for that kind of money by scrounging.