kmg now or later?

K

KeithH

Joined
Mar 25, 2007
Messages
96
This past month ive had a real interest in knife making, so after reading all i could on the internet I bought steel and made some knives.

Before grinding the bevels i realized that my angle grinder will not make them perfect. I planned on building a kmg grinder but the quality of work at Beaumont metalworks seems to be worth the extra money.

should i buy a grinder now, build one (http://www.dfoggknives.com/PDF/GrinderPlans.pdf), or spend hours filing to more appreciate the machine?

Thanks!
 
You can even start with a grinder that is cheaper. Look on the Sears website for a 2x42 Craftsman Belt Grinder/Sander, $130. I use one and I've heard about a lot of other knife makers who use one. But the choice is up to you. I know I would love to own a KMG.
 
thanks, i always fell anxious when spending money but i hear that these grinders last a lifetime, do they ship to canada?
 
i only want to buy one grinder ever, and maybe be able to do hollow grinds someday too, what kind of grinder set-up do you stock removal guys use?
 
Buy the KMG, if it's too much up-front, get the most basic package and upgrade as necessary. If you can afford to do it, or almost afford to do it, it's a poor decision not to. It won't lose value if you decide you need to get rid of it.
 
Sorry, didn't see the Canada thing, I heard it's expensive to get one across the border. Might want to talk to Rob about it. The Bee grinder is a squarewheel type grinder that's made in Canada.
 
kerrystagmer said:
Bader 100-4's
Click to expand...

Admittedly Kerry, those are a little bigger than the average knifemaker needs ;)

the KMG is great, but Rob doesn't ship to Canada. There was a thread a while back where all the grinders we could find were being documented. There are a few that are made in Canada that looks quite nice. Here is a link to the super grinder list thread.

Hpoe this helps!

-d
 
I think you'd like the Bee Grinder. It was designed specifically with knife makers in mind. If you are anywhere around the Calgary area, I'd be glad to show it to you or answer any questions.

It has a dust housing which most grinders lack. All your grinding is done at the same height, unlike machines such as Coote, and Hardcore. Accessories and belts change very easily - in seconds - without tools. Operation is smooth and consistent.

It comes standard with a contact wheel, a square wheel attachment which offers flat platen, small wheels and slack grinding, a tool rest and 1 HP Emerson motor which does all except production style grinding.

An extra $45 upgrades you to the 2HP motor and an extra $40 upgrades you from 8" to 10" contact wheel.

It's also available with Variable speed - reversible - extra small wheel attachments....

The company that makes them is long established and also makes a full line of industrial grinders for other applications.

50-1AV10.jpg


Canadian prices
Canadian service and support
Canadian safety listings
No brokerage fees
No international shipping
No PST if you buy it in Alberta

It's worth consideration.

Rob!
 
Thanks again, the bee looks good, im sure the panel could be re-wired to the front of the grinder. Does it use a tool arm? Is it a good value? Should i buy it?:confused:
 
Not a trailer hitch sort of arm. The side frame has holes in it to accept 10" and 8" wheels and the other attachments.

I guess only you can decide if you want it. I can have any grinder I want - and I chose this one. Lots of positives - only the two small negatives. My last one I ran for about 7 years - close to 1500 knives. The only reason I sold it was to have the current version (VFD variable instead of DC with controller). The old one is still tight as drum.

Rob!
 
I smell spam!!!:D


Just kidding Rob!. Keith, I've been out to Rob's and goofed around with his Bee. It's a very nice machine. Right now I'm using a Coote. It's also a good machine but nowhere near as nice as a KMG or Bee and requires a bit of messing around to get it working nice. The coote-type grinders seem to be prone to vibration problems (I think because of the small mounting footprint and two-wheel design). I mounted mine to a 6x4x1" steel block tapped for the mounting bolts and welded to a 24x32x1/4" steel plate that is screwed down to my bench. It took a bit of messing around with different pulleys and belts, but I finally got it to run vibration free. When I can make the machine pay for itself (read when I sell enough to afford it), I'm planning on upgrading to a Bee or square-wheel type grinder.

Have a good one,
Nathan
 
Keith If you decide to make that KMG Clone, there are several folks here who have done it. I am sure they would be willing to help walk you through it. The plans you got from Don Fogg's web-site are the set I am using. It is incomplete. I have the plans for one of the missing pieces. Email me if you want it t_megow@yahoo.com. I have finished all but the platen holder. I am not a machinist, I am just an Old Phart taking a Machine Tool Class at night and the clone is my class project. I will help in any way I can as well!
 
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