Is the KMG THE grinder?

Chiro75

Chiro75

Joined
Feb 4, 1999
Messages
5,786
I'm doing a little fantasizing today and looking at grinders. I've yet to hear a bad thing about the KMG. In terms of a good all-around grinder for making knives, how is it? $650 for the basic platen set-up seems pretty reasonable (plus a motor). Can one get away with getting a 1.5 HP non-variable motor to run these suckers or does variable speed make a huge difference?

I really have no capacity to buy one of these right now, but the way I see it is if I could save up about 1/2 the dough, the thing would pay for itself pretty fast for the balance because I could crank out 10 times the number of knives in the same amount of time that it takes me to make one now. Assuming I could sell a few of them I'd be set.

It seems like the KMG is infinitely customizable, but is there a "sleeper" out there somewhere I don't know about that would do as good or better a job for less?
 
If you can swing it get the KMG! It is the best investment I have made yet. You're right it is so versital. You can do all the different grinds with it. The accessories are emense. I got the basic set up with a 1 1/2 horse motor, set me back 1100.00 with shipping. Money well spent.
Scott
 
Abso-friggin-lutely!!!
I run mine with a Baldor Farmduty 1 1/2hp set up with pulleys from Rob. When this motor goes democrat, I'll probably go with a 2hp or larger.
Very versatile setup. bruce
 
Dare you even ask? I'm coming up to my 2 year anniversary on mine. I can't imagine not having one.

BTW I'm still running mine with a 2hp, $40 treadmill motor. Still waiting for that day it fails, that all the nay-sayers told me would come. I quit cleaning it out. Thinking that would accelerate the failure. Nope.

In any case the KMG is the machine.

Steve
 
Boy am I underpowered. I put a 3/4 horse 3400 rpm motor on mine and geared it down by 1/2. I use a step pulley but don't seem to change speed much. I grind slow and don't put all the force I can on the blank.. Then again I'm not in any hurry. It's a great grinder lots of options. I can recollect when Rob first started research on it on the forum. Check some back archives for info.
That's about a $s worth.
TJ
 
In a word, YES.

You can spend more, a Bader BIII is its closest equivalent, but you cannot buy a better machine for the money. (I don't have one, but I rue the day I bought the BIII without doing enough homework. It will be my next machine.)

It's infinately adaptable to your needs and Rob is more than happy to make special changes for you.

For what it's worth - go 2 hp variable speed. Mine is 1.5 hp and I can dog it tapering tangs. The variable speed will save belts and reduce your grinding learning curve immensely. Just bite the bullet!

And do it now! :D
 
I have a 1.5 hp with pullies on mine. If you can get the Caffrey platen. Extra money bit I love it. 1 3" wheel on bottom, 1 1.5" wheel on top... flat platen between the 2. Rotate it to use the wheels seperate. I love it!!
 
ddavelarsen said:
In a word, YES.

You can spend more, a Bader BIII is its closest equivalent, but you cannot buy a better machine for the money. (I don't have one, but I rue the day I bought the BIII without doing enough homework. It will be my next machine.)

It's infinately adaptable to your needs and Rob is more than happy to make special changes for you.

For what it's worth - go 2 hp variable speed. Mine is 1.5 hp and I can dog it tapering tangs. The variable speed will save belts and reduce your grinding learning curve immensely. Just bite the bullet!

And do it now! :D
Click to expand...

I totally agree, Dave. I have the BIII with a 2hp VS, and its bombproof. The downside is that I could have gotten a KMG with the same specs for about $500 less. Rob will definitely be getting an order from me for a second rig, and quite possible an edge grinder too!
 
remember Jeff....if you dont use that Bader in 6 weeks it mine ;) :p
 
I recently got a 2 horse variable speed set up from Rob. I can't believe the difference variable speed makes. Everyone has always said that it is the cat's ass and it surely is. I'm glad I waited so long though because now I can REALLY appreciate it.

I haven't had any other machine but it sure looks to me like the KMG is the best out there. I'm sure some of the others are nice too but the guy who makes 'em couldn't possibly be better people than Rob Frink! :)
 
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