Is this disk grinder going to work?

J

joeyp1971

Joined
Apr 14, 2009
Messages
36
I want to get a disk grinder to flatten tapered tangs and scales and to dovetail bolsters. My first thought was a KMG since I'm really happy with my KMG belt grinder. But at $890, I'm seeing if I can get away with a cheaper option. While I would not go without variable speed on the belt grinder, I don't know whether it's all that important for what I want the disk grinder to do. I found this Delta for $337...

http://www.amazon.com/DELTA-31-695-6-Inch-9-Inch-Sander/dp/B00002236D

Do you think it will be adequate for what I am looking to do? I want to save money but it's ultimately cheaper to buy the right tool the first time around.

Thanks in advance.
 
I have the HF version of that and don't think it's worth $300. Maybe $30.

I have been thinking of getting one of these
image_2138.jpg
 
It spins kind of fast at 2,800 RPM per the Amazon description. However, I think something might be wrong with that whole Amazon product page as the Delta 31-695 is a 9" disc and 6"x48" belt grinder according to other sites and even the Amazon site eludes to it but doesn't show the belt in the pictures....kind of odd.

Anyway, I have this:

http://www.trugrit.com/knife-tg-92.htm

sans the motor and bought a 1/2 HP, 56C motor for like $80 at HF with one of their 20% off coupons that spins at 1,725 RPM and I like it a lot. Gives me the option to later upgrade the motor to variable speed if I so choose and I can put other disc's like the beveled one's if I want.
 
What KMG do you have? If you have a VFD you can buy another 56c Footed 3ph motor(Elektrimax 1.5 for $175 shipped), wire it into the VFD, add KMG's new disc work rest for $298, and add a 9" disc for $83. With shipping you'd be under $600 and have variable speed.

If you have a step pulley KMG then add a couple pillow blocks and a jack shaft with the disc on the end?

Or, get the rest, a single phase reversing motor and the disc with work rest. I think it would be better than the Delta pictured....but not by much.

The variable speed off a VFD would tip the scales for me.
 
For about $525 you could do a variable reversing in 1 horse but with DC, all the knives that
come out of my shop are made with DC motors. If I had a need for bigger I might look into
a VFD but at the moment no reason to.
Ken.
 
Brian Ayres said:
What KMG do you have? If you have a VFD you can buy another 56c Footed 3ph motor(Elektrimax 1.5 for $175 shipped), wire it into the VFD, add KMG's new disc work rest for $298, and add a 9" disc for $83. With shipping you'd be under $600 and have variable speed.

If you have a step pulley KMG then add a couple pillow blocks and a jack shaft with the disc on the end?

Or, get the rest, a single phase reversing motor and the disc with work rest. I think it would be better than the Delta pictured....but not by much.

The variable speed off a VFD would tip the scales for me.
Click to expand...

I have the VFD on my KMG. That's not a bad idea. Is there a downside to running 2 motors off one VFD? Also, you mention a 3 hp. That seems like alot of horsepower for a disk grinder. I was thinking 1.5 at most.
 
joeyp1971 said:
I have the VFD on my KMG. That's not a bad idea. Is there a downside to running 2 motors off one VFD? Also, you mention a 3 hp. That seems like alot of horsepower for a disk grinder. I was thinking 1.5 at most.
Click to expand...

He wrote 3phase and 1.5hp. I misread it at times too, damned lysdexia....


-Xander
 
Picture655.jpg


DiscGrinder1-1.jpg


Btw, I have this disc now. It's from RW Wilson. Adjustable in and out, work rest swings away. is on a 36" stand, and indexes from 45 to 90 degrees......

Google him and see what one costs? It's bullet proof.

Sorry for the crappy pic on the second one... :D
 
I bought one from RW a year ago and they were like $125. I very much like the angled back.
Ken.
 
I have the 12" Delta and use it every once in a rare while. I have a variable speed, REVERSIBLE, 9" disc, and use it on EVERY KNIFE that leaves my shop.

IMHO, the 9" disc set-up by RW Wilson that Brian posted is, ideal.

The 9" disc sander set-up like Tru-Grit sells is very very nice. However, you can't use it to finish off flat grinds very easily because of how the work rest is situated. It's a beautiful sander with the anodized blue color, and precision work rest and works great for things like dovetailing bolsters... but I can't grind a blade on one.

The RW Wilson design is awesome as it would be super easy to get the work rest out of the way for finishing flat grinds, and super easy to put it back on for things like truing up dovetails.

AND just to avoid any possible confusion- I'm 99.9% sure that the $125 Ken mentioned would be for ONLY the 9" disc, and not the entire set-up like Brian has. ;) :)
 
NickWheeler said:
The RW Wilson design is awesome as it would be super easy to get the work rest out of the way for finishing flat grinds, and super easy to put it back on for things like truing up dovetails.

AND just to avoid any possible confusion- I'm 99.9% sure that the $125 Ken mentioned would be for ONLY the 9" disc, and not the entire set-up like Brian has. ;) :)
Click to expand...

Shew! I was going to ask Brett for some money back because I paid over $125 for mine.. ;)

I have(had) the Nielsen disc system too(traded it for a knife):eek:(a folder with jeweled movement,damasteel and fossil walrus) and think it would be ideal for this set up too.

The stand by RW is easily converted to allow the disc to be both vertical and horizontal too... pics later..:D
 
R.W.'s set up is nice.He had one at the show in Ft.Worth.His number 304-670-5643
 
I've posted pics of these before, what is slick is how fast you can change paper or go to
dead square in seconds. I made a bracket to fit the "C Face" motor (copied from Terry Davis).
Nick you're right, I'm talking $125 for just the disc. I run 3 of these and couldn't be happier.
Ken.
102_0693.jpg

102_0696.jpg
 
joeyp1971 said:
I have the VFD on my KMG. That's not a bad idea. Is there a downside to running 2 motors off one VFD? Also, you mention a 3 hp. That seems like alot of horsepower for a disk grinder. I was thinking 1.5 at most.
Click to expand...
You can run as many motor the same size your vfd is rated for....at once.
You can wire them to a toggle switch and select the one you are going to use.
I do prefer to switch between motors when the vfd switched off, but i don't know if it is necessary for avoiding damages to the vfd unit.
Actually i don't have a toggle switch either, just installed 3ph plugs on the vfd outlet and motors inlets, so i route my vfd where it is necessary and down the road i can just add new motors.
 
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