KMG vs. Bader BIII

B

BIGBEAR

Joined
May 18, 2004
Messages
302
Hi guys. I was wondering how you guys feel about these two machines being the KMG and the BIII. I'm looking at buying a grinder very shortly and they both seem to be excellent machines. If anyone has any pros or cons about either machine I would love to hear about it. Thanx to all.

P.S. Any opinions are appreciated good or bad. :D
 
The two grinders are very similar.

The KMG is all steel, built like a tank. Super smooth. It is belt drive, which is no big deal really. You can use any type motor with it, which requires you to gain a little knowledge on motors (this is always a good thing, too) and the wiring. Is not painted, but a can of spray paint will take care of that. In the past Beaumont Metal Works has made revisions to the KMG per customers request, for almost anything that you could want. The KMG's are a little cheaper to buy, for comparable setups.

The bader has an aluminum frame and is direct drive, comes more like a complete package. Plug and play.:) You are more "locked in" on the type of motor for replacement, if ever needed. Super smooth also. The platen is not as refined as the KMG's from what I've read here.

The KMG is heavier built and comes with "over the top" customer service. :thumbup: The bader is also an excellent grinder. They both have alum wheels with installed bearings.

As you can probably tell, I own a KMG and am totally happy with it, but have used a friends Bader and he is totally happy with it. I don't think you could ever wear out either of these grinders.

Kelly
 
Both are very good grinders, I have two VS Bader B 111s and love them but I am going to get a KMG sometime this year with a big (3hp+) VS motor, 1-1/2 hp isn't enough for large blades in my shop.
 
I'm with the KMG on this one. you can buy any set-up you need for what you're doing. from a basic flat platen set up to a full set up with the flat platen, 14" wheel, small wheel attachment and rotary platen, variable speed or not. you have all the options if you buy motors seperate. easy machine to work with. and above all Rob Frink is always willing to help, great service, always searching for new modifications to make the machine better, and more use friendly for the knife makers, he's right here on the forums to answer questions and take suggestions. and i don't know about the Bader but when you get the KMG its great time on shipping. very nice bomb proof packaging. i can't say enough good about the machine. So many options. you can always start out small and add onthe attachments are you need em!
good luck Go with Rob's Machine

Mike
 
I can't speak for the bader, as I've never used one, but the KMG does a great job and Rob still has great customer service.
 
Hey guys....Thanks for all the responces. I appreciate everyones feedback. I had the feeling that the Bader was also an excellent machine, but I think when the blessed time comes I will go with the KMG. I like the idea of being able to change motors to my preference rather then what I have too.
I am only starting out and I have a tremendous amount to learn but I would rather buy a machine that can grow with my needs as my skills improve. Thanx again fellas.:D :thumbup: :thumbup: :D
 
BIGBEAR said:
Hey guys....Thanks for all the responces. I appreciate everyones feedback. I had the feeling that the Bader was also an excellent machine, but I think when the blessed time comes I will go with the KMG. I like the idea of being able to change motors to my preference rather then what I have too.
I am only starting out and I have a tremendous amount to learn but I would rather buy a machine that can grow with my needs as my skills improve. Thanx again fellas.:D :thumbup: :thumbup: :D
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It wouild be a BALDOR... Sheesh..
Go to brownells dot com for the wheels..
 
Welcome to the forums BIGBEAR! There's not much that I can say here. I encourage you to try them side by side and compare if possible.

I bought a new BIII that I used to take along with me so people could compare them side by side. It is really the best way to know what you like for sure. I ended up selling the BIII on Ebay last year...which nearly sold for it's original price...which was an excellent display of the quality and value of that fine machine!

The fact is: the KMG is heavier.

My opinion is: the KMG is smoother and more precise.... especially under heavy loads.

If might be good or bad...the KMG offers nearly limitless possibilities when it comes to setting it up. For some, this can provide an enormous cost savings...for others...it can be a nightmare. On the other hand, the BIII is ready to run out of the box....which again, may be good or bad.

Rest assured, there are wonderful success stories on both sides of the fence. What ever you decide, I sincerely hope that you are happy with it.

-Rob
 
I have used both and now own 2 KMGs, for what it's worth. Bader makes a good machine. I personally like the KMG machine itself better, but this may be somewhat subjective. Service, motor options, and accessories, I believe, are all better for the KMG as well.

A final consideration, I know several very good makers who have gone from the Bader to the KMG, but I am not aware of even one who has gone the other way.

John
 
I have personally helped take both out of the boxes. The KMG was perfect and needed no attention. The Bader 3 had platen troubles that required grinding to correct. It also didnt track the belt as nice either. I own a Burr King and would never part with it but my next grinder will be a KMG.
 
I've had a BIII since it was first released and have never regretted it. Over the years my Bader has undergone some modifications. I replaced the motor for a Baldor 2 hp 3 phase motor with VFD so I could get full 3,600 rpm shaft speed, variable speed with 2 hp. The motor was from a local surplus place and the VFD from eBay. This is a very good move for any grinder, by the way.
Never used a KMG, but the thing I like about the Bader is that you can make your own accessory arms with ease. I have all kinds of cool fixtures for just about every task. Also, since the idler pulley arm and tracking adjuster, etc. are all made from standard cold rolled bar stock sizes, it's easy to copy the basic design to construct specialty grinders that all track perfectly. This is what I've done to convert a surface grinder to 2x72, not to mention build three other specialty grinders. You can't go wrong with the BIII. Sounds like the same could be said for the KMG.
 
Which is better...a KMG or a Bader. They are both excellent machines.
I have a Wilton with 10" Wheel, a BurrKing with platten, a reversable variable speed disc grinder, and a Bader that I asked the Bader folks (the Johnson family) to build in a horizontal configuration for me. I use it with smaller wheels and the platten as well.
Bader did an excellent job and did not charge me any more than a regular vertical Bader, so I am a bit biased in favor of a favorable experience with a very customer friendly grinder provider in the Bader Co.
KMG's seem very well made and smooth but I haven't owned one.

I would strongly recommend that you go with a variable speed motor and reverse capability (for sharpening) regardless which grinder you purchase.
 
jhiggins said:
A BIII with Rob's attachments is the finest grinder on Earth. :)
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Higgy, Higgy!!!! Why did I know you would say something like that??? :rolleyes: OH!!! Because you go both way with everything else. HEHEHEHEHE!!!!!
 
indian george said:
Higgy, Higgy!!!! Why did I know you would say something like that??? :rolleyes: OH!!! Because you go both way with everything else. HEHEHEHEHE!!!!!
Click to expand...

Oh yeah? Well I guess I'll going YOUR WAY in a couple weeks, bro! ;)
 
I use a Bader III with the KMG platen attachment. The Bader III platen was too troublesome, but the KMG platen is excellent! I love my Bader III but I will need another grinder very soon and was thinking about the KMG this time. Just to keep things interesting. Use one for hogging and the other for finishing. Was also looking that the horizontal grinder? Hmmm, me likes!
 
Bigbear,

I have owned my KMG for almost three years. There are three things that really impress me with it.

First, there is really no way to break the machine no matter how you abuse it. It is basically solid steel. I guess you could wear out a bearing or two, maybe bend a driveshaft if you hit it with a sledge hammer, but no way to cause major damage short of dropping it off a cliff. By the way, bearings and driveshafts are not very expensive. Take a good look at how it is designed. Very straight forward with alot of right angles. Imagine if you can, how the stress load is distributed. This machine is so overdesigned, it's crazy. No bean counter in a large forune 500 company would ever allow a machine to be this overdesigned to make it to market. I would love to hear exactly how anyone could break one unintentionally.

Second, It works eactly as intended. Look at its shape/design. Something almost spirital about it. Works exactly as it should. Tracks well, runs smooth, can handle anything you can throw at it.

Third, If you get tired of making knives, it has a respectable resell value.

You can make your own KMG clone, but why? If you add everythiing up and look at how finely made this machine is, you will realize for most people, you would end up with a machine not as well made, you wouldn't save much, and resell would be much lower.

Since, I have never owned another grinder (other than a Grizzly), I guess I can't say with certaintly which is truly better. I respect the Bader but choose the KMG and am glad I did.

Just my two cents.

Philip
 
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