KMG Grinder/Beaumont Metal Works Problems

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blindrobert

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Wow - grinder just quit this morning. I bought a new KMG variable speed with a 2HP motor about two weeks ago. The problem seems to be the VFD which just gave out after less than an hour of total (non-continuous) running time.

I understand that electronic stuff can go bad, but I have to say I'm a little disappointed with the response from Beaumont Machine Works. I sent them labeled pictures of my wiring and setup and talked through a trouble shoot on the phone (verifying power at the contacts inside the VFD, routing around the power switch to verify that it wasn't just a bad switch) - the VFD seems to be the problem.

But basically, it's MY problem, I eat the shipping, I'm stuck without a grinder for several weeks while the VFD goes to KB Electronics for evaluation. No loaner controller to send me, no automatic replacement when something like this happens so early in the game (which is what I would have expected), no intervention on my behalf with their distributor or the manufacturer (which is what I would have expected as a bare minimum level of service). After spending over $2500 with them on the grinder and various tooling arms and attachments I expected a little better. I flat out said as much on the phone to the guy and got a "yeah - definitely" in response with no additional comment except for an offer to send me the link to the manufacturer (which he did).

It's a nicely built grinder and I've enjoyed working with it so far but part of the reason I was willing to pony up for the KMG was I had heard good things about the grinder and the ownership of the company. I'm a bit underwhelmed.
 
KMG should replace your motor immediately and worry about who pays what later. One post like this can cause great harm to a company's good reputation, and they should consider that when dealing with right-out-of-the-box problems.
 
That's how I feel and that's how I run my company (we build custom modular homes - knifemaking is a hobby). I sent another email explaining my expectations - I've heard a lot of good things about KMG/Beaumont and I thought long and hard about which grinder to buy. I'm hopeful they'll step up.
 
I have a Pheer. Same deal happened to me, less than an hour in and pop. I heard the VFD pop and no more juice. I called Jose and after a couple of questions he had a new one dropped shipped from his supplier to me. I packaged up the old one and shipped it to him. Total down time maybe three days waiting on the new one. Total cost couple three bucks to ship the old one back. Jose done it right.
 
That's a great story, Horsewright! I don't want this to be a trash KMG/Beaumont thread - I'm still hopeful they're going to take a more active role in resolving the issue.
 
Well - they are at least issuing a call tag so I'm not stuck with shipping cost and hassle. No help with my work being basically shut down until they figure out what's wrong with the VFD.
 
Did you have it in a dustproof enclosure with good heat dissipation? Dust from grinding can kill a VFD pretty darn fast.
 
I thought a lot about that scenario when I built my grinder and went with the pulleys....

When I bought my motor from Wayne Coe there was a problem and he was going to have a motor sent to me ASAP. Luckily that did not happen but he had the mfg send me a part immediately to remedy a problem.

Customer service is so important especially when you are dealing with expensive electronics that can go down in a moments notice.
 
I don't mean to one up you, but Jose Navarro with PHEER GRINDER has left me hanging for over 4 months now and hasn't replied to my last 2 emails. No one gives a crap anymore about customer service.
 
The switches on the VFD are rubber gasketed and it's a NEMA 4 enclosure that is rated for outdoor use - and I had barely done any grinding at all. An hour or less (probably less) of total running/working time on it over 10 days or so.

KMG flat out told me their concern is that it will be ruled customer error/damage and not covered by warranty and they'll be left holding the bag. I offered to pay for a new VFD if they'd send it right away and then they can refund my money if the original replaced under warranty or send me the repair bill if it's ruled customer error. No response as of yet - but that was late in the day that my email went out, so maybe he didn't see it yet.
 
One of my KBAC 29 vfds blew up while it was TURNED OFF a day or two after I got it. I had a terrible experience with KBs warranty dept. Just warning you, stay on them and bug the crap out of them or nothing will get done. Document everything. I got basically interrogated by their warranty guy who told me it was impossible for it to blow up while turned off....clearly not. They couldn't find the cause of the problem after 2 weeks of inspections so they made up a bogus story that there was debris in it and it wasnt under warranty.

Luckily electricmotor wholesale stepped up and replaced it--- seriously great guys.
 
Are you running 110v? I could be your gfi is over loading. I had an issue with my grinder (pheer) while turning it off while running at 80%. So I had a 20amp breaker installed just for my grinder and it fixed the problem.
 
I just wanted to jump in and say that you should NOT run a KBAC drive through a gfi. Why...I do not know but the material I got with my drive and kmg grinder said not to. Also, my drive quit after about a week and I was really upset until I checked my breakers and found one tripped. I replaced the breaker and have been using the drive hard for about 14 months with no further problems.
 
It's not on a GFI. I'm running it at 220 with a dedicated circuit that it shares only with my lathe (the two never run simultaneously as I am a one man shop). Also the power goes through a surge protector/power conditioner so there are no spikes to damage sensitive electronics. I have never had a problem with the lathe (Nova 2024 DVR).
 
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