KMG arriving tomorrow...any tips for setup?

David Schott

David Schott

Joined
Sep 27, 2004
Messages
3,041
I happened across a pretty good deal on a used machine, so tomorrow there will be arriving at my house:
KMG Grinder
Platen attachment
2 Tooling arms
8" Serrated contact wheel
Balanced pulleys
2Hp motor

Now aside from the electrical concerns I have with the motor, its amp draw, and my breaker in my shop, Anyone have any setup tips? I'll be bolting it directly to my work table. Do people put rubber washers down to reduce vibration?

For motor placement, do I just put it to where the drive belt is snug? How snug?

I can't wait to get this thing running, though I give myself a 10% chance of actually grinding tomorrow night. Tonight I will be cleaning shop, making space, taking measurements....

Any other tips I should know or handy ways to set this badboy up?
 
congrats on the new arrival.....cigars for everyone?

The set-up will be very easy and straightforward.

If it looks about right...then it probably is! Just bolt the motor down rigid, next to grinder with the drive belt snug...but not too snug. Once in place, you'll be able to "roll" the drive belt from one groove to the next like changing speeds on a 10 speed bicycle letting the belt drop into the next smaller groove before rolling the other end into the next bigger groove. You won't need to move the motor at all. Once you get hang of it...you'll be changing speed in the blink of an eye. If the drive belt is too snug, it will be difficult to change positions...if too loose it will slip...so with some trial and error you'll find the optimum.

Vibration is really no issue....due to the weight and stiffness of the KMG.

Have fun...and don't hesitate to drop me a line...I'll be glad to help if I can.


Sincerely,
Rob
 
And be careful getting it in place. The KMG is heavy and you can hurt your back if you're not careful.

Enjoy the machine, it is the best. :thumbup:
 
Congrats on the KMG I dont have the pleasure of owning one myself but I used Tom Ferrys one day and ground the blade for my MS dagger. It was so smooth, precise and a joy to work on. The extra heavy weight makes it rock solid when I lean into it.
 
Yeah considering it weighs more than I do, I will surely be careful!

Setup does appear simple and intuitive, so I am not worried about that!

I was to the point on my little 2X42 that I was going to just bite the bullet and get a grizzly, but then was able to pick up the KMG, motor, and attachments for not much more than the new grizzly would have run me after shipping....I was thrilled, to say the least.
 
Congratulations. Welcome to teh club. You're going to love it! You'll never want to see that Craftsman again:)
 
I sit in a comfortable position with the machine just between and above my knees. My vacum pickup is just below the the bottom roller on the platen. This is a very comfortable position to grind in and it gives you a lot of control. The 2 hp. motor will work well with this machine. Rob builds a nice grinder. Enjoy, Fred
 
Paint your KMG before using it.

I'm a big fan of motor mounting bases. The motor slides down over the studs and the bolt on the front of the base moved the motor forward and back to tighten the belt. I could not find the correct base for my motor so I bought a big mounting plate and a plate of aluminum. I drilled holes in the aluminum plate to match the stud holes and motor holes. the motor is bolted to the aluminum plate which slides over the mount studs.

This image if from Grainger. Most bases are $25-$60.

3M276.JPG
 
Might try giving it a coat of "Hammerite" spray paint...I painted an "I beam" that has sat in my back yard uncovered for two yrs without a scratch. still looks relatively new.
Get it at Home Depot
 
I'll chime in one more time to add that painting it will delay you at least two days, but seems well worth it. I mostly disassembled mine (but kept teh main chassis intact) and used the above mentioned Hammerite paint.

So far it seems tough and has kept things from rusting.

It's true a KMG is lots of solid steel and would take decades (maybe centurys) to rust a part through, but it would last even longer and look nicer if it were painted.

JMHO.
 
Thanks for all the great responses! I am excited.

If I think I can get it running, it WILL run tonight. If I run into my expected electrical problem and pop the breaker every time I turn it on (2hp motor with 20 amp max draw plugged into a 15 amp breaker) and need to contact my landlord or someone else to ask about the breaker being changed or if it even can be changed, I will be painting it tonight :)

I also will need to do the motor wiring tonight. I didn't think about an on/off switch. Im assuming most motors do not come with them. Can I pick one up at home depot and just wire it with the plug?
 
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