just purchased my first 2x72 belt grinder

My comments were about the best grinder for the money. The KMG without motor and drive is $750 and a 3phase 2hp motor can be had new for @275 incl. shipping and a KBAC 27 D drive can be bought for around $350. That gets a guy into a good grinder for about $1375, plus $50 shipping on the grinder for a total of about $1425. The Burr king, Bader III, Hardcore products grinders are considerably more money. I think the best deal going is the Polar Bear Forge kit and pay for some welding work. I have made hundreds of knives on my KMG with no problems to date but I never said that there is not a better grinder. I should mention Brian Fellhoelter's fine grinder the Uber Grinder also but it starts at about $2300 without drive and motor. The little Buddy grinder may be a good alternative but is no where near as heavy duty as a KMG and has synthetic tracking and idler wheels.
 
I removed my comments so I would not hi-jack another poster's thread. . .

Please see my post "Beaumont KMG"

Steve in Louisiana . . . . :-(
 
Last edited:
LARRYZ10 said:
The little Buddy grinder may be a good alternative but is no where near as heavy duty as a KMG and has synthetic tracking and idler wheels.
Click to expand...

It's my understanding that the wheels can be swapped out pretty easily. Other than the wheels, do you think the kmg is significantly heavier duty than the lb1000? I'm planning on getting one or the other in the next month. There seems to be a ton of versatility with the lb1000 with the three slots for tool arms...
 
I have only seen videos of the Little Buddy grinder and it looks like a useful grinder especially since it has extra tool slots. I am guessing that the frame is 1/4 steel at the most while the KMG is mostly 1/2 inch steel and built like a rock but I am not objective on this because I use a KMG grinder and it does everything I want except turn horizontal. I vote for the tried and true KMG. Have you considered a grinder kit from Polar Bear Forge aka "grinder in a box"? It has a second slot for a tool arm or rest. You can have the base and upright welded for not much money and just drill and tap a few holes. Look at the videos on your tube about building one. I am seriously thinking about it for a second grinder. Larry
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top