Looks like I"ll be pulling the trigger on an AMK 77 grinder

Living The Dream said:
got my amk 77 yesterday. took all of about 5 minutes to set up. First impression is that is a solid son of a gun. very sturdy. the aluminum frame is very solid. the thing doesn't move, shake or shimmy. changing belts is fast and simple. I wished it would have came with a small torx wrench in the size needed. No big deal but the size required I happen to be missing from my set. DURN KIDS!

I did find a torx head to plug into my 3/8 ratchet and I was off to mounting the tool rest which was solid , thick and heavy. The cutout for the platen and wheel was precise and well done. I smoked through a handle I was dry fitting and was amazed how fast it was. sawdust soon covered the shop.

The platen and 12 inch wheel stick out far enough from the front of the unit, I don't feel that the on off switch is threat of electrical shock. The electrical plug is handy to run a lamp.

love it so far. But I am just a beginner hobbyist. I would be glad to answer any questions anyone has about the unit.
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I'd be curious to know if you can do this while it's running at full speed:

[video=youtube;gPjLrAR8Dr4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPjLrAR8Dr4[/video]
 
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NC Biker, the answer is YES. I actually tried it last night, and took a vid of it with my I-phone, but I can't get it sent to my computer to post it up. I took about 14 seconds of video. Long story short, the designer of the AMK is Allen Poe, and he is an engineer of the first level, his career before mfg. firearm specific accessories, and the AMK grinder was as an engineer who was responsible for the Nuclear products design for the US. Trust me when I tell you--he really knows his stuff, the motors on his stock rigs are from a Mexican firm, which he has had good luck with--he will also outfit your AMK with whatever motor you want--for example mine came with a 2HP Leeson--I think I have previously posted it was 3HP but it is in fact 2HP 220V, As to the outlet on the front of some versions of his grinder, I haven't asked him about it, but I'm sure he can tell you the thoughts behind it, mine came with a KBAC 27D VFD that's reversible and variable speed. It is Rock Solid and is a great grinder.

If I can figure out how to get the vid from my I-phone to my laptop, I will post it up.
 
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Fish30114 said:
NC Biker, the answer is YES. I actually tried it last night, and took a vid of it with my I-phone, but I can't get it sent to my computer to post it up. I took about 14 seconds of video. Long story short, the designer of the AMK is Allen Poe, and he is an engineer of the first level, his career before mfg. firearm specific accessories, and the AMK grinder was as an engineer who was responsible for the Nuclear products design for the US. Trust me when I tell you--he really knows his stuff, the motors on his stock rigs are from a Mexican firm, which he has had good luck with--he will also outfit your AMK with whatever motor you want--for example mine came with a 2HP Leeson--I think I have previously posted it was 3HP but it is in fact 2HP 220V, As to the outlet on the front of some versions of his grinder, I haven't asked him about it, but I'm sure he can tell you the thoughts behind it, mine came with a KBAC 27D VFD that's reversible and variable speed. It is Rock Solid and is a great grinder.

If I can figure out how to get the vid from my I-phone to my laptop, I will post it up.
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Hey Fish, I'm not trying to belittle anyone's grinder. Like I said before, I'm sure the AMK will remove metal and in skilled hands, make a fine knife. I initially posted because of the four grinders mentioned by the OP, the AMK would not have been my first choice and I gave a couple of reasons (personal opinions). I have never run a AMK, so I truly was curious as to it's stability with it's main components being aluminum. If you can balance a nickle on it while running, that's a good thing. Balance a dime and I'll really be impressed, but this is certainly not the only measure of a quality grinder, although I've heard that Travis Wertz can balance a straight pin on the tool arm of the TW-90 while it's running full blast :D

Bottom line, If you're happy with how it produces for you, that's the only thing that matters.
 
NC, I just was posting in response to those who questioned AMK's engineering abilities so to speak, and also the fact that it would balance a quarter in my case-a nickel is much easier :)

I also would select a different grinder with a wide open slate--I think the NorthRidge tools grinder will be a leader in the pack, it's just a little bit of time before they have all the various parts available--and FWIW I was very close to pulling the trigger on a TW-90, and I may buy one of his surface grinder attachments yet--that particular item is a good bit off for both AMK and NorthRidge....
although I have seen where some folks have said you could get a dedicated surface grinder for less than Travis's attachment--I ought to check up on that.

All good info in my book :thumbup:
 
You peeked my interest too! I JUST made procession of a 2 x 72 Northridge grinder yesterday. To say I'm impressed would be a understatement. I don't even have or have had the time to permanently install just setting on a piece of plywood on saw horses it easily passes the coin test at high speed. To be honest I had problems just balancing dime with ridges while it was OFF! But I can stand any smooth edge coin and run at full speed with zero problems. Keep in mind this is on plywood on saw horses and not even level. In fact I will bet money it will do the straight pin test too! This thing is made like a tank but with the engineering preciseness of a jet fighter! I'm going to be away a few days on a kayak float trip but hope to get some grinder time and post videos pics etc. This machine is just awesome. Wish I had the money back I spent making by own, times two plus the grizzly I use to have. What's the saying pay once cry once!
 
LCoop said:
In fact I will bet money it will do the straight pin test too!
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Okay, here is the ultimate smoothness test, it's a no. 11 X-Acto blade balanced on it's point.

[video=youtube;iAAFOIKoSpQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAAFOIKoSpQ[/video]
 
As mentioned before all of these grinders will work just fine, I don't think that was really at question. My biggest challenge with the AMK is a design choice that they made in regard to not have a traditional tooling arm.

The advantage to it is you can go from the wheel to the platen slightly easier than with a tooling arm arrangement, but when you go from the platen to a small wheel attachment or a different sized wheel then it is a lot more time and effort versus having them set up on multiple tooling arms.

Again both will get the job done, but in my work flow I go from the platen to the small wheels a good bit.
 
NC Biker said:
Okay, here is the ultimate smoothness test, it's a no. 11 X-Acto blade balanced on it's point.

[video=youtube;iAAFOIKoSpQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAAFOIKoSpQ[/video]
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BWAAAA HAAAAA. whats the little indention /hole it was standing in....... Funnneeeee!
 
Here's one you can believe: This is a belt drive KMG running at 80% with a nickel balanced and then turned up to 100% and you can see the nickel turn slightly at 4500 SFM. No big deal if you set up your grinder well and are lucky enough to get a good machine. Larry

[video=youtube;C5ZMEHY6QtM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5ZMEHY6QtM[/video]
 
Okay....I had to do the nickel test on my new KMG.
Just got the 220 hooked up to it today.
Set the nickel on it's edge at the end of the tool arm and started at about 10% and slowly took it up to 100% and the nickel didn't move.
Nice and smooth.

I've still got some work left, but it's getting there. It will be nice to get away from the 1x42 Kalamazoo I've used since 2011, even though this is only a hobby for me.



It's good to see all the options out there for people right now.
 
Stumps said:
Okay....I had to do the nickel test on my new KMG.
Just got the 220 hooked up to it today.
Set the nickel on it's edge at the end of the tool arm and started at about 10% and slowly took it up to 100% and the nickel didn't move.
Nice and smooth.

I've still got some work left, but it's getting there. It will be nice to get away from the 1x42 Kalamazoo I've used since 2011, even though this is only a hobby for me.



It's good to see all the options out there for people right now.
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You gotta love the KMG, built like a tank.
 
Stumps,
Well done. Love my Kalamazoo too! You sure jumped up. Nice. Dozier


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
@TonyRV2. I noticed it's been awhile since you posted about getting your AMK 77, about 5 to 6 months. How do you like it. I just purchased mine today.
 
PBJelks1 said:
@TonyRV2. I noticed it's been awhile since you posted about getting your AMK 77, about 5 to 6 months. How do you like it. I just purchased mine today.
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If I'm not mistaken he decided to go with the esteem.
How are you likingthat AMK?
-Justin Schmidt
 
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