If you use a Disc Grinder...This is a great addition!

Ed Caffrey

Ed Caffrey

Joined
Jul 23, 1999
Messages
1,409
For about that last month or so, I've been testing a new system for disc grinders. It consists of a "hub" that attaches to a 5/8" motor shaft, and it has interchangeable "face plates".

This is about the best tool that I've seen come down the pike in a long time! It allows you to change "discs" on your Disc Grinder in a matter of seconds, saves a ton of time, as well as keeps you from having to waste sandpaper every time you want/need to change grits.

There's far too much information about it to include in a forum thread, so I built a quick web page. You can see it here:

Disc Grinder with Interchangeable Face Plates

I don't give recommendations for tools often, or lightly. This thing has saved me a ton of time and kept me from wasting lots of sandpaper! I'm not getting anything out of this, just wanted to share a great time and money saving tool with everyone.

The gentleman who invented/produces this system (Rod Nielsen) has worked really hard to ensure that everything about it is right, and I think he's done a great job. For what you get it's reasonably priced too!
 
i checked out your webpage and thats a good idea. i seen something similar a few years ago. i do about 90% of my grinding on a disc and its a fast way to grind a knife compared to a belt sander. i use my belt sander to finish the blade but for roughing out a blade it cant be beat. i have a member coming up tomorrow to learn how to grind on a disc and i have a few short vids i took of chuckinohio grinding his first knife on a disc sander. this setup would be the ticket for sure.
 
That's cool enough to make me want to actually build a disc grinder! :)

Thanks Ed!

-d
 
Thanks for the tip. Looks like a real good machine! It has always been a big pain replacing those sticky disks.
 
Now I need to go buy a disc grinder so that I can buy this! This looks like a very effective system. ...added to want list.

Thanks, Ed. :thumbup:

:D :D
 
Quick question.... I have a disc grinder that I've been using for flattening tangs, etc. I've been using cheap paper that I've had in stock (to use it up), but I recently picked up some quality paper (Norton A275) that I have yet to use.

I guess because of my history in using cheap paper on the disc, I'm having a hard time seeing how it can be faster to grind a knife out on a disc vs. a 2x72". Does the good paper make that much of a difference? And if so, how long does a sheet typically last on the disc? I know I'll have to get out to the shop and try it, but it has been literally a couple of months since I've been in the shop. :( Soon....soon....

--nathan
 
Nathan,

It's not that you can grind a blade "faster" on a disc, but rather (in my opinion) you can grind a blade "better". By that I mean that nothing short of a surface grinder will give you better, truer flats.

I still do almost all of my heavy grit grinding on the belt grinder, but by using the disc grinder, I've eliminated a good portion of hand finishing time.

When I spoke about this system saving time and sandpaper....most folks only have one disc, which means that when they need to change grits, or the paper wears out, they have to peel off the old, apply some adhesive, put the new paper in place, trim it, then go back to working on a blade. In many instances the paper that is removed is not worn out, but because it's difficult properly position it back on the disc, more times than not it gets trashed.
With this disc system you leave can leave the paper on the a disc, and when you need to switch to another grit, just pop off one face plate, grab another with the grit you need on it, pop it on, and your back to grinding. When you need the other grit (the previously used one) it takes about 5 seconds to take one disc off and put another on.....that's were the time and sandpaper savings are.

Probably the thing I like most about this system is that I can go from a beveled disc for grinding blades, to a flat disc for flattening guards/bolsters/handle material, or whatever else, in that same few seconds, without having to waste the paper that wasn't worn out (it stays on the other disc for later use).
 
That is a great product, but how many "not quite worn out" discs would it take to make up the $375 + shipping?

I'm not bashing the product, I think its a great idea, but is it worth the convenience?
 
muleskinner222 said:
That is a great product, but how many "not quite worn out" discs would it take to make up the $375 + shipping?

I'm not bashing the product, I think its a great idea, but is it worth the convenience?
Click to expand...

That price only includes one flat and one beveled disc.

If you really want to use it like Ed does, you will need more discs at a higher price.

I think you are right, in terms of abrasive the savings would take hundreds of NEW sheets to make up that cost.
(and presumable even more partially used sheets)

If your working style includes changing the grits often, then you may realize the value on time saved sooner than in abrasive materials cost alone.
 
muleskinner222 said:
...I think its a great idea, but is it worth the convenience?
Click to expand...

Some folks would purchase multiple disc grinders, for the convenience, at quite a bit higher cost. This tool might appeal to them, but will probably also work for folks who can't afford to purchase multiple machines. In some cases, time is worth so much more.

Take care, Craig
 
My only concern ( beyond the price) would be the attraction of metal particles to the rare earth magnets. Seems like just a flake or two between the plate and hub would make the disc wobble. Also, will the grinding dust tend to stay on the paper due to this attraction? ( thus clogging the paper faster)
 
A way to clean metal dust off a rare earth magnet is to use a bigger one. Another is to make a aluminum scraper and scrape it away. I would think that you would only get a bit of dust where the magnets actually are while running the disc. I really like this idea.
 
bladsmth said:
My only concern ( beyond the price) would be the attraction of metal particles to the rare earth magnets. Seems like just a flake or two between the plate and hub would make the disc wobble. Also, will the grinding dust tend to stay on the paper due to this attraction? ( thus clogging the paper faster)
Click to expand...
I have been using this system for about 2 months now and I really like it. My concern was with the magnets collecting metal particles and not allowing the metal disc to seat properly. I have found no issues with this at all.
I do a lot of work with this disc grinder and I wish I had this system long ago. It is so fast changing discs and saves a lot on paper.
 
muleskinner222 said:
That is a great product, but how many "not quite worn out" discs would it take to make up the $375 + shipping?

I'm not bashing the product, I think its a great idea, but is it worth the convenience?
Click to expand...

I thought I would try to shed a little light on this product!
I designed and built my first disc grinder with interchangable plates 3yr ago I did this for a number of reasons.

1-I wanted more grinding discs without having to purchase more motors

2-wanted a variety of grits not only for knifes, eg:I have a disc with 24grit hardwood floorsanding paper on it, I also have one with rigid heavy back paper simular to what you would find on an angle grinder.

3-Wanted a flat and a bevel disc run off the same motor
.
4-wanted some discs just for knife making

5-would run into situations were I was peeling off paper that wasn't spent

6-Wanted a thinner disc on the outter edge.

7-Wanted to be able to jump forth and back between sanding grits w/o changing paper

One year ago I decide to refine the disc system and market it, the sytem has turned out very well.

-It runs very true with all components being machined!

- the discs do not retain any metal dust on the work surface, as a result I do not have a problem with debres getting in between the hub and the work sufface when a disc is changed!


If anyone has any questions on this product, feel free to phone or email me@

403-377-2992
r.nielsen@live.ca

take care Rod Nielsen
 
Thanks for the post Ed!
I've got one of these in my near future :0)

Rod is a great guy to deal with.... good stuff !
 
Ed,
Sent you a email on some specifics about this. Thanks!
Chris
 
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