I'm Buying a New Machine KMG or Bader III - Just Ordered a TW-90!!!

Status
Not open for further replies.
TK Steingass

TK Steingass

Knifemaker - Buckeye
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 16, 2010
Messages
5,620
Hi fellas:

My 1 1/2 HP Variable Burr King 960-272 is doing just fine for hollow grinding fighters and hunters. Now that I've branched into making large bowies with big flat grinds, I've decided to get a rotary platen setup ($473) from Beumont Metal Works.....it eliminates belt jumping with finer grits and is great for handle shaping and zero grinds. I heard nothing but good things about it. To use this attachment I need either a KMG or a Bader III. The unit will have a variable frequency drive for certain. The two things that I've gotten stumped on is: KMG vs Bader III and 2HP vs 3HP. The Bader III is a great unit with direct drive, but I've read in the forums of an occasional tracking issue. The KMG is also a great unit, a better value, but belt driven. Another question is, 2 HP or 3 HP......the widest blade I flat grind is 2"......is 2HP plenty? I'd appreciate input from you fellas before I make the big dollar jump. How's the customer service for these two suppliers also?

V/R,

TK
 
Last edited:
Depends on what the cost of the motor is. 3hp 3ph motor seem a bit less in demand and pricing was good when I bought mine. The vfd might be a bit more though.
 
+1 for the TW-90.
However since its the rotary platen you want I'd go with the KMG.
You don't lose much power due to be belt.
Another option may be the LB 1000 by Willmont Grinders. It takes 1 1/2 tooling arms just like the others has good tracking,
Direct mount motor, and can be flipped for horizontal grinds. Cost with motor and drive is $1,500.
Call Chris at Willmont and ask if the rotary will fit.
 
Well don't forget about the Wilmont TAG grinder, for a high end setup.

BTW, concerning the original question, 2hp is more than enough for pretty much anybody, and unless you're hooking up 220 you won't get more than 1.5hp out of the usual KBAC-27D type VFDs, not sure about the ones Bader may use..

FWIW, one of my grinder's is 3hp with a KBAC 29, and the other is 2hp with a KBAC 27D.. 3hp is serious overkill IMHO, I wouldn't waste money on it.
 
Only advice I can give is my own personal experience. I have a KMG 2HP and never needed more power, simple as that. I don't even know how you can bog down the thing, I never did. I would buy another one, no question. Now you got my curiosity peaked about the rotary platen. Heard about the them but never seriously looked.
 
KMG all the way!!! Built like a tank and runs like a dream! Plus it's only half the price of a tw-90. Best grinder I've owned!
 
I can only speak from owning a KMG. I have the rotary platen and its the cat's meow for doing several types of grinds, in addition to handle work. Couldn't live without it.

My KMG is also a 2 HP model with the Penta-Drive Variable Speed running on 220 volts.

Built like a tank and excellent service.

Robert
 
I have two B-IIIs', one since 1997 and a KMG. Both very good grinders, but I like the B-III just a little better.

You will not need 3 HP for the rotary platen, but it's nice when flat grinding a large blade on hard platen. I can stop my 2hp KMG when flat grinding.
 
I have 2 and a 3 hp belt driven KMG's. I can bog the 2 hp but not the 3. I grind many big blades and the 3 hp with a 6 inch drive wheel moves a lot of metal. 5400 sfm is the belt speed.
One KMG was purchased in 2000 and still runs like it did when knew.

If you decide to go with pulleys instead of vfd's, hinge the motors so they transfer their weight to the belt.
 
Gentlemen: Thanks for your input - you all were quite helpful - I just bit the bullet and ordered a TW-90 from Travis Wuertz. The rotary platen will work with a Bader arm on this machine, so I'll be good.

V/R,

TK
 
Good choice!

The TW-90 is a sweet machine!

Hope to order one soon myself.
 
Congratulations. You won't regret it. Does the rotary platen require any alterations or can you use it right out of the box?


TK Steingass said:
Gentlemen: Thanks for your input - you all were quite helpful - I just bit the bullet and ordered a TW-90 from Travis Wuertz. The rotary platen will work with a Bader arm on this machine, so I'll be good.

V/R,

TK
Click to expand...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top