I'm gona bite the bullet on a new grinder and need some input.

[kenhills]

So I can't keep making the machinery that's not made for knife making (Baldor 2x48 3750 rpm direct drive grinder) do what I need to be able to do. It runs just to fast and makes the metal to hot. If I did not know any better I seem to be having a problem with sublimation. In either event it's time to move on. I have narrowed it down to a KMG http://www.beaumontmetalworks.com/ industrial belt grinder with a 1.5 horse power motor. Its at the upper limit of what I can spend and it seems to be the most bang for the money. There are lots of options and add on accessories to get later down the road. So here are the questions.

1. Purchase it with an 8" or 10" smooth contact wheel. I tend to make a lot of concave edged blades, Hawkbills and the like, so the smaller wheel seems to be the way to go. Currently the Baldor I use has a 6" serrated contact wheel and is a pain to use so I am really looking forward to a smooth one. However I want to start to grind convex edges and don't know which size would be more appropriate.

2. I have a very old very heavy 1/4 continuous duty GE motor. Same shaft size as the one that would come with the KMG if I bought it with the machine. If old GE would work then it frees up some money to purchase a 3" and 5" contact wheel plus some other stuff.

So any sort of input here would be appreciated.

Thanks, Ken

 

[Tait]

Hi Ken, great choice!

I had typed out a response, then saw you already bought it.

Best wishes.

So I can't keep making the machinery that's not made for knife making (Baldor 2x48 3750 rpm direct drive grinder) do what I need to be able to do. It runs just to fast and makes the metal to hot. If I did not know any better I seem to be having a problem with sublimation. In either event it's time to move on. I have narrowed it down to a KMG http://www.beaumontmetalworks.com/ industrial belt grinder with a 1.5 horse power motor. Its at the upper limit of what I can spend and it seems to be the most bang for the money. There are lots of options and add on accessories to get later down the road. So here are the questions.

1. Purchase it with an 8" or 10" smooth contact wheel. I tend to make a lot of concave edged blades, Hawkbills and the like, so the smaller wheel seems to be the way to go. Currently the Baldor I use has a 6" serrated contact wheel and is a pain to use so I am really looking forward to a smooth one. However I want to start to grind convex edges and don't know which size would be more appropriate.

2. I have a very old very heavy 1/4 continuous duty GE motor. Same shaft size as the one that would come with the KMG if I bought it with the machine. If old GE would work then it frees up some money to purchase a 3" and 5" contact wheel plus some other stuff.

So any sort of input here would be appreciated.

Thanks, Ken

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Ken,
Post knifemaking questions in Shop talk.
ATG is for non-knifemaking chit chat.