My dilemma

J-siah

J-siah

Joined
Jan 28, 2008
Messages
1,876
Here is the deal, I have been working on a craftsman 2x48 for all of my knife grinding. I have come to realize that it is severely underpowered, and I am in need of an upgrade.

So my dilemma is weather to upgrade the grinder by putting a pulley on the disk side, linking to a large farm duty motor, or to buy a grizzly g1015. The g1015 is the highest I can go budget wise at about $500, the craftsman upgrade comes in at about $120 and when I ditch the craftsman for a KMG I have a motor.

I am leaning to wards the craftsman upgrade mostly because of the price, and because I am leaving for the army in a few months I don't really want to spend the money on the grizzly. Especially if it is just going to sit in my Dad's garage for the next couple of years until I get a place of my own. The 90day warranty on the craftsman expires on the 15th of this month so until then I can get my $130 bucks back.

So do I want to upgrade now with something cheap I will replace after I get settled asap, or get a new grinder of questionably quality that I will use for as long as possible?
 
I know this isn't one of the options you were looking at, but check out the no weld sander/grinder from Tracy Mickley. For the $500 you could easily build it and have a really great grinder that you may never want to upgrade. I just finished mine a few weeks ago and am really happy with it. It is very easy to build and runs very smooth. Just a thought.

-Mike
 
I have very seriously looked into that the problem is time, I only have a few months and 3/4 is already full of stuff I have to do. I have a week long sevice project this week out of town and them I am off to work on my grandmothers house in montana for 3 weeks. So time is short for making knives and my fix needs to be either something I can buy and will work right away or a quick mod that won't consume a lot of time.

I fully intend to get either a kmg, cootes, or a make a no-weld grinder when I have time to, but that time is not now.
 
If you can afford $500 for a Griz you're in Coote territory. Don't spend tons of money on an intermediate sander, it's just not worth it.

Less than $100 would get you enough good files and a decent bench vise. Proper draw filing would be plenty fast. You need more power because you're trying to hog off material, so hog it off with a file first ;)

I started with a belt sander - they are worlds different than a proper grinder. If you have the money, get a Coote (or a Griz if you prefer) and don't bother messing with the sander upgrades.

Out of curiosity, what motor are you planning to get for $120?
 
it was one of the no names they had at tsc. it wasn't a baldor or anything
 
I'm one of the lucky ones, I'm a machinist and have access to making my own tools. I have less that $150 in what you see. Motors bought at yard sales, bearings from ebay, scrap pieces from our scrap bin at work. Made it all myself, 2x72 belts, 12" dia. and 8" dia. w/ flat plate on the side. Motor/belt tension is gravity. Works great...
 

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Seems to be fine for what I use 'em for... I don't think they would hold up in a production shop used 40-60 hrs per week... but I've used 'em for over a year now.
 
i think i would keep the craftsman, and wait and buy something when i got back from your tour. the craftsman i good for sharpening and light stuff, and you will use it even if you get a kmg or the like. take a few hundred and get some files, and other tools..imho
 
oldold442 said:
i think i would keep the craftsman, and wait and buy something when i got back from your tour. the craftsman i good for sharpening and light stuff, and you will use it even if you get a kmg or the like. take a few hundred and get some files, and other tools..imho
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Yup.

And if you connect it to your big motor it won't be underpowered (3 HP!?) and you can reverse the modification later when you build your no-weld. Sounds like you could incorporate step pulleys for different speeds, and get it all done in time to use it.
 
Hey J-siah.

Take a look a the www.cootebeltgrinder.com, for a little north of your budget you are set. I have a Coote, Norm is great to deal with, the grinder is very solid. I am told that it is not a KMG but, one of the best values out there in the 2 by 72 world. And if you do want to upgrade they hold there value very well, resell should by easy.

Good Luck with your decision.

John
 
Is the cootes really head and shoulders better than the grizzly? I am thinking I might buy a cootes in the next day or two, I called him up to today and he seems like a good guy.

What size motor would you sugest for the 10" model, will a 1hp do it or should I get a 1 1/2- 2hp. I really don't want the thing to bog down, thats most of the reason of my need to upgrade.
 
J-siah said:
What size motor would you sugest for the 10" model, will a 1hp do it or should I get a 1 1/2- 2hp. I really don't want the thing to bog down, thats most of the reason of my need to upgrade.
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1HP won't do. 2HP should be fine.
 
I don't own a Grizzly, but I have read (and been told) that the Coote is in a different league than the Grizzly.

You will need a 2 HP. Norm can help you out with pulleys to reduce belt speed if necessary.

John



J-siah said:
Is the cootes really head and shoulders better than the grizzly? I am thinking I might buy a cootes in the next day or two, I called him up to today and he seems like a good guy.

What size motor would you sugest for the 10" model, will a 1hp do it or should I get a 1 1/2- 2hp. I really don't want the thing to bog down, thats most of the reason of my need to upgrade.
Click to expand...
 
J-siah,
If you only have limited time for knifemaking before you leave for an extended period, why not call one of your friendly nieghbourhood knifemakers and ask for some grinder time. This would cost nothing but gas, and will give you some time on a different grinder setup, and someone to impart some tricks and techniques. Almost all my knifemaking knowledge has been learned from other makers, and since the "KNIVES 2008" lists almost 50 makers in your state ,I am sure that you could find someone willing to share with you. Knifemakers are ,in my experience, the most open and welcoming group of craftsmen you will ever find.
Best wishes, Don
 
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