I pulled the trigger and ordered a KMG today!

J

J. MacDonald

Joined
Jun 8, 2000
Messages
3,140
As many here know I've been suffering various forms of grinder envy for some time. Suffering with a Craftsman and trying to build a one off of my own, ever evolving design.

Today, I put an end to all that. I ordered a KMG from Rob Frink!

Unfortunately for me, it was a very poorly timed purchase. Rob just returned from Blade where he got completely cleaned out, so it'll be 4-6 weeks before I see my grinder

I ordered the machine with the flat platten and am having the top steel wheel swapped for a contact wheel. I also ordered the 10" contact wheel and the small wheel attachment with a 3/4" wheel. Then I added a couple extra tool bars so that I can keep all accessories ready for quick change. It was hard not to order a couple more small wheels and a rotary platten, but you have to save something for later

Is the 3/4" small wheel the right one to start with? I was torn between that and a 1". Because of the back order status, I could change it. What do you guys think?

I ordered it without a drive system as I have a 2hp rated Toshiba VFD for the project and thanks to a VERY generous maker, Michael Kanter, I have a 1.5hp Leeson 3 phase motor coming to make it all go! Rob thinks this combo should be wonderful to run the KMG!

Now it's all about the waiting and figuring out what belts to order.

From here all I should need is an oven and I'll be set.

Thanks to all who helped guide this purchase.
 
From here all I should need is an oven and I'll be set.
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HeeHeeHee... Yea right. You wish that's where it will end, just wait :p

Congrats on taking the plunge. A good grinder is right at the center of almost all good makers' shops. I think Rob's grinder is the best one on the market.

When cash allows I'm going to get a KMG to keep my Burr King company :D

-Nick-
 
I have a 5/8" diameter small wheel on my Coote and it's great for the tight finger notches I use, but I feel it's a little on the small side sometimes, so 3/4" is probably a good size. Collect 'em all! :D
 
For the small wheel get the backordered one too. He will bill you later for that anyway.
I use the 3/4" 1.25" 1 1/2" 2". Now I want the 1/2" too!
 
jmxcpter said:
As many here know I've been suffering various forms of grinder envy for some time. Suffering with a Craftsman and trying to build a one off of my own, ever evolving design.

Today, I put an end to all that. I ordered a KMG from Rob Frink!

Unfortunately for me, it was a very poorly timed purchase. Rob just returned from Blade where he got completely cleaned out, so it'll be 4-6 weeks before I see my grinder

I ordered the machine with the flat platten and am having the top steel wheel swapped for a contact wheel. I also ordered the 10" contact wheel and the small wheel attachment with a 3/4" wheel. Then I added a couple extra tool bars so that I can keep all accessories ready for quick change. It was hard not to order a couple more small wheels and a rotary platten, but you have to save something for later

Is the 3/4" small wheel the right one to start with? I was torn between that and a 1". Because of the back order status, I could change it. What do you guys think?

I ordered it without a drive system as I have a 2hp rated Toshiba VFD for the project and thanks to a VERY generous maker, Michael Kanter, I have a 1.5hp Leeson 3 phase motor coming to make it all go! Rob thinks this combo should be wonderful to run the KMG!

Now it's all about the waiting and figuring out what belts to order.

From here all I should need is an oven and I'll be set.

Thanks to all who helped guide this purchase.
Click to expand...
Glad I could help John. Feel free to cantact me if there is anything else i can help you with.

Michael

www.AdamMichaelKnives.com
 
A fine purchase you have made there with the KMG machine. A very smooth running outfit for the money. Enjoy
 
Herer's where I ordered mine:

http://www.beaumontmetalworks.com/

Straight from the man who makes them.

Looks like you can buy them here as well:

http://www.kovalknives.com/kmg.htm

Don't know if they have inventory or if they're back ordered as well.

When I spoke to Rob yesterday, he indicated that this past Blade show completely depleted his stock of parts, so if you order one now, you'll at least be assured of getting the most current production. It was around $1200.00 including shipping to CA with the options I ordered. With the VFD and motor, which I got smoking deals on, I'll be into the whole thing for around $1400.00.
A bit less than half what a variable speed Hardcore would have cost. The Hardcore is certainly finished nicer, and I'm sure it's a great machine, but I think this'll do me well.

I'm thinking I might want to paint it blue or green hammertone if I can find it in spray cans.
 
Harleyd2900 said:
Wow high rollers. <(Pun). Too much money for me.
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For the price of a couple of customs I get a tool that hopefully will provide me years of use and help me take my knifemaking to another level (anything's up from the basement). Actually, most of the cost will be covered by selling a few production knives I already own but don't use.

Actually I finally got to see and play with a KMG today thanks to a couple young makers I met on the USN; Jay Hinton and his partner Jeff (last name unknown). We had a great time and I was very impressed with the KMG and can now see why so many people have such nice things to say about it. Some parts are 1" thick! And the thinner ones are 1/2". The pictures don't do it justice.
 
Not only did we have a good time, John helped me buy a Rong Fu Mill Drill!

:D

Now I have to get him back out to show me how to use the damn thing!
 
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