KMG vs. TW90 (objective comparison)

Chuck Gedraitis Knives said:
These are in production. My friend Lucas Burnley has one and posted these pictures on facebook.

Bob Loveless used to run a belt in a similar configuration for slack belt grinding and shaping his handles in a vertical position. The Wilmont grinder also can run a belt in the same way.
Click to expand...

Looks very well built and versatile. Definitely out of the box design for sure.
 
I had this same struggle about 1 1/2 years ago when I bought my TW-90. I could have gotten two dedicated grinders for the same price or I could go big and possibly regret it. I decided to get the tw90 because it didnt look like it took very long to change from vertical to horizontal and the tracking system looked a lot better than the KMG's. Ive seen people mention the tracking system in this thread but I haven't need any one explain why it is better.

for people who may not know the TW90 tracking is the first of its kind that I know of, where most grinders track from the tension wheel, the tw90 tracks from the drive wheel. A lot of people have it in their head that you want the tracking as close to the work as possible, the problem with that is when you put pressure on the the platen or contact wheel it is transferred to the tension on the belt. that means that when you are grinding the belt tension between the platen and the drive wheel is higher and the tension between the drive wheel, tension wheel and the platen is less, which means less tension on the tracking. If you are tracking on the drive wheel that means that the harder you grind the more pressure you are putting on the tracking, and vice-versa if you are tracking on the tension wheel then you are taking pressure off the the tracking the harder you grind. when I grind with a slack belt it is almost impossible to push the belt to the side, the tracking on the tw90 is as solit at I have seen on any other grinder.

I personally love my tw90 and have only had to make one modification to improve it. I added a long handle to the spark shield so I can adjust it easier. I would recommend the tw90 to anyone who can afford it, it is a great tool and I haven't regretted it for a second. Now with all that being said I and as much as I love my tw90, my next grinder will most likely be a wilmont grinder. not to say that one or the other is better but the wilmont offers a few things that others dont and after seeing one in person as Chris's shop (the maker) and using it for a few hours there are a few features that I really like. you can tell by using the wilmont that it was designed by a knife maker, and when using the TW90 and talking to Travis that it was designed in large part by a machinist that occasionally makes knives. '

Any one of the grinders mentioned in this thread would serve their owners reliably for a long time and be a great addition to any shop. Given the choice Id take the TW90 again any day, but there is definitely a lot to be said about the KMG, wilmont or baderIII they are all great machines.

-Josiah
 
Last edited:
Great thread.

It is interesting to hear of people having tracking issues with their grinders. Once I put a 69 lb spring on my GIB it has zero tracking issues and runs straight as an arrow.

I will say when it comes time for me to buy another grinder it is going to be a tough choice between a full blown Wilmont grinder and the TW-90....
 
J-siah said:
I had this same struggle about 1 1/2 years ago when I bought my TW-90. I could have gotten two dedicated grinders for the same price or I could go big and possibly regret it. I decided to get the tw90 because it didnt look like it took very long to change from vertical to horizontal and the tracking system looked a lot better than the KMG's. Ive seen people mention the tracking system in this thread but I haven't need any one explain why it is better.

for people who may not know the TW90 tracking is the first of its kind that I know of, where most grinders track from the tension wheel, the tw90 tracks from the drive wheel. A lot of people have it in their head that you want the tracking as close to the work as possible, the problem with that is when you put pressure on the the platen or contact wheel it is transferred to the tension on the belt. that means that when you are grinding the belt tension between the platen and the drive wheel is higher and the tension between the drive wheel, tension wheel and the platen is less, which means less tension on the tracking. If you are tracking on the drive wheel that means that the harder you grind the more pressure you are putting on the tracking, and vice-versa if you are tracking on the tension wheel then you are taking pressure off the the tracking the harder you grind. when I grind with a slack belt it is almost impossible to push the belt to the side, the tracking on the tw90 is as solit at I have seen on any other grinder.

I personally love my tw90 and have only had to make one modification to improve it. I added a long handle to the spark shield so I can adjust it easier. I would recommend the tw90 to anyone who can afford it, it is a great tool and I haven't regretted it for a second. Now with all that being said I and as much as I love my tw90, my next grinder will most likely be a wilmont grinder. not to say that one or the other is better but the wilmont offers a few things that others dont and after seeing one in person as Chris's shop (the maker) and using it for a few hours there are a few features that I really like. you can tell by using the wilmont that it was designed by a knife maker, and when using the TW90 and talking to Travis that it was designed in large part by a machinist that occasionally makes knives. '

Any one of the grinders mentioned in this thread would serve their owners reliably for a long time and be a great addition to any shop. Given the choice Id take the TW90 again any day, but there is definitely a lot to be said about the KMG, wilmont or baderIII they are all great machines.

-Josiah
Click to expand...

Finally an explanation why the tracking on tw90 is different. Thanks for that.

Now how does this tracking setup work. Drive wheel is mounted to the motor shaft? So is the motor mount moveable to allow for tracking adjustment?

I think the high tension on the belt is really key.
 
PT Doc said:
Finally an explanation why the tracking on tw90 is different. Thanks for that.

Now how does this tracking setup work. Drive wheel is mounted to the motor shaft? So is the motor mount moveable to allow for tracking adjustment?

I think the high tension on the belt is really key.
Click to expand...

Yep, the whole motor pivots
 
yes the motor sits on mount that pivots, there is a knob on the side of the grinder.

high tension does make a big difference, the problem with most peoples high tension is that it is not adjustable. so if you ever want to put a leather belt or a run a slack belt at a lighter tension then you are out of luck. that is where the ratcheting tension wheel comes in handy.
 
I've been researching grinders for over a year now and I've thought from the beginning of this thread that a more appropriate "apples to apples" comparison should be between the TAG-101 and TW90. Both being direct drive, horizontal capability out-of-the-box, and versatility. To be honest, if I could have a dream grinder it would be a combination of the two. The pivoting motor and ratcheting tension of the TW90 with the vertical three socket lay out and tool rest set-up of the TAG-101. Unfortunately, due to economics I can not afford either and have settled on the KMG 3 speed. Maybe in the future there will be something available similar to my dream grinder. If Chris and Travis collaborated.......what a machine that would be!

Adam
 
Hardcore Maximizer - yes, that's on my list too. :thumbup:


Dan
 
I have a Wilton Square wheel, a Burr King, a Dozier, a horizontal JL, and a home made 2"x72" grinder I made myself. I also have the TW90, and it is by far the best grinder I have.
 
Tom Lewis said:
I have a Wilton Square wheel, a Burr King, a Dozier, a horizontal JL, and a home made 2"x72" grinder I made myself. I also have the TW90, and it is by far the best grinder I have.
Click to expand...

It's ok to admit you have a problem, Tom. You are among friends. ;)

PS, I'm with Dan - show us photos!
 
For all TW-90 owners. Mine tracks great in terms of accurate small movement from side to side and holding position. But once in position I get a bunch of belt wobble pretty much regardless of what belt I'm using. Any ideas?
 
John Frankl said:
For all TW-90 owners. Mine tracks great in terms of accurate small movement from side to side and holding position. But once in position I get a bunch of belt wobble pretty much regardless of what belt I'm using. Any ideas?
Click to expand...

I would say you need more belt tension. I know he keeps them pretty tight. If its not that I would say the drive wheel needs slight adjustment in or out on the shaft. When the tracking is adjusted perfect on the contact wheel is the belt running pretty much centered on the tracking and drive wheel. If not the drive wheel will need adjustment. That said I would call him him tell him the described problem.
 
Thanks. I have contacted Travis and am awaiting a reply.

Back to the original thread, I have a personal KMG and two others in the shop I work in back in Korea. Another great thing about both the KMG and the TW-90 is that both Rob and Travis are great when it comes to customer service!
 
Instead of putting pictures of my six grinders here, I have started two new threads that have the pictures.
 
Chuck Gedraitis Knives said:
You forgot to mention that you can open the TW-90 box, place it on your workbench, plug it in and your grinding!
The KMG needs the motor and base plate mounted to the work bench and the belt set up between the pulleys.
Click to expand...

My thoughts, as well. I want to make knives, not tools to make knives. My free time is short enough as it is - the TW90 would get my vote for this reason, among others.
 
PT Doc said:
Can anyone try to explain why the tw90 would track better? Wheel positioning, type of wheel, high belt tension from the ratcheting mechanism. Just trying to wrap my head around this. Are the drive and idler wheels different than the kmg?
Click to expand...


I believe it to be related to
The belt tracking is better with greater tension and the TW 90 is easier to apply greater tension to, no fiddling with the arm positionplus the drive wheel issue josiah mentions
 
Last edited:
Matthew Gregory said:
My thoughts, as well. I want to make knives, not tools to make knives. My free time is short enough as it is - the TW90 would get my vote for this reason, among others.
Click to expand...

So what are you gonna make with the extra 45 minutes you save? ;)

Don't get me wrong... I understand the appeal of the Tw-90. It seems like a well designed and functional machine. All of the previously made points of why it's better than any other machine may very well be valid.
This is just one of those "factors" of why it might be better than any other machine, where I just don't follow the logic.

I mean, my shop time is at a premium as well, and I try to spend it as efficiently as possible. But to turn down a machine that might service me for the next 20 years (175,320 hours give or take) because it takes 1 hour to set up seems kind of funny to me. :)
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top