My new KMG with shop made attachment

F

Fellhoelter

Joined
Dec 29, 2005
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1,367
Finally got myself a KMG.

What a sweet machine.

12" wheel, platen, and slack belt.

I've been using a Hardcore, and a horizontal I got from John LeBlanc.

The Hardcore's a good machine, but a PITA to change tools on.

I mounted to a Harbor Freight pedestal, on a James Todd G-11 plate.

Made my own arms from $10 steel, and figured I'd make an attachment too.

It's based on my modified 6x48" grinder HERE.

But, this bad boy is watercooled!!!

I made one for the Hardcore, but the bastard would get so hot that water would sizzle right off of it.

This did a number to the belts, melting adhesive off the back, and screwing up my grinds.

I kept Ice blocks handy, and iced it down regularly.

Not any more, got a cheapo Harbor Freight water pump, some tubing, and a couple of quick disconnects.

Ran it for half an hour, and it barely got warm.

Christmas is great...
 

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That's really cool Brian!

I laughed when I saw your modified 6X48. I spent 9 days with JP Moss, the guy that came up with that grinder (I remember him saying TC had been a student of his at some point). Anyway, JP told me to build one for my shop, but to cover it up if anyone came over, and he'd kill me if I showed it to anyone. HA :) (he really meant it though!!!)

I got all the parts for it, and had the machining done on everything, but never put it together.

I can sort of see where JP was coming from, he came up with it and sold them for awhile... so I think he figured sharing it would cut into his income. I'm not sure if he even makes knives anymore.

For those of you who don't know, JP's claim to fame was making the bowies for Clint Eastwood's movie, "Unforgiven." Definitely a skilled maker... and ornery! lol :)

I've thought about doing something like it with the Burr King or KMG, but just never took the time.

Your improved water cooled set up is bad ass! :D
 
Thanks for the heads up Nick, I couldn't remember who TC said came up with the idea.
I had no idea anyone ever sold them.
It's great for what it is, but obsolete for me now.

Will, I have no idea how fast I run, as the SFM of my machines isn't something I have ever figured out.
Rarely over 50% though...
Between the tension necessary to keep the belt flat, and the fact the belt rolls ever the edge of the platen, it generates a lot of heat on the 72" version.
Never had a problem on the 48".
Gunk would build up on the radius, or ball up under the belt on the flat and screw up my hard work.
I had to regularly ice it down to cool it off.
That was just a small 3/8" plate though.
This one is 1/2" with a water track milled in, sitting on a 3/4" aluminum heat sink.

I don't think heat will be a problem.

For 1 knife, it probably wouldn't be an issue either, since I increased the mass so much, but I work in batches.

We'll see how it works out.

Here's a pic of the water track.
 

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Man, that's slick Brian!

I should have used more smilies in my post above cuz it ended up looking more serious than I wanted it to. I think it's all kind'a silly now thinking back on it. BUT, at the time, I was about 19... and having a grown man that could make some really nice knives... tell me that he'd gun me down if I shared the idea with anyone... well... I really took it to heart! :) LOL

I've seen several of JP's former students show the slow grinder in magazine shop tours... and I don't think he killed any of those guys ;) I think JP's most famous student (besides me of course ;) ) would have to be Ricardo Valerde. :)




I can't help but think that maybe the other fellas aren't getting the water cooled part because they haven't seen this type of grinder in action.

Guys... the belt is running over a fixed platen with just a radius milled on its leading edge. It isn't like a regular flat platen that has a 1.5 or 2" contact wheel spinning at the leading (top) edge.

Since it's fixed, there's a lot of heat build up. That's part of why the 6X48 version has to run so slow. Look at Brian's 6X48 in the pics, that HUGE drive pulley makes that thing run super slow.

Brian, I know I was REALLY thinking about putting mine all together when I was having fits nailing the plunges on one of my Js test pieces!!! LOL :)

I really like the idea of being able to use a 2X72 as you're pretty limited (relatively speaking) on belt selection in the 6X48.
 
That's very nice Brian! I've seen variations on this idea...but not as nicely done...and none with water cooling. How fast do you run it..(the grinder)?


I still have a scar on my arm from elementary school where Todd Holzer rubbed a paper clip wire across the corner of his desk until it got smokin' hot...then he stuck it on my arm. I can't imagine how hot these attachments must get without cooling.

Thanks for posting the pics!

-Rob
 
Hey thanks for the advertisement on the G-11, I am glad it worked out for you. Those plates are some tough stuff, I do have some 1 1/2'' in larger sizes if anyone needs any. Link is in signature. One of these days, I am going to have to start making knives, meanwhile, I sure am learning a lot from you makers on equipment mods. Thanks to all of you.
Jim
 
Thanks for the G-11 Jim, by the way, the stuff I got is all 3/4" not 1/2".
Even better :D

Rob, I run between 20 - 50%, so I'm guessing 700 to 1800 FPM.
Sound about right?
I haven't used a calc to really see what speeds I get from this thing.
And yes they get HOT.
Now you see the attachment I was talking about building...

This tool makes nailing those plunges a snap, and pulls all your grind lines the right direction.
Really cuts down on the hand rubbing time too, since it does most of the work for you.
'Course it only work for a flatgrinder like me...
 

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Congrats Brian. I have one and love it also.

One of the best purchases I've made actually.

Enjoy my friend and have a safe and happy holiday season. :thumbup:

I'm not surprised at your coming up with add ons for the thing. Seems right up your alley to me. ;)

STR
 
That is really neat! How do you think mounting platen like the one that it comes with on a water cooled backing would work out?
 
STR said:
I'm not surprised at your coming up with add ons for the thing. Seems right up your alley to me. ;)

STR
Click to expand...
Indeed, a thing is not "mine" until I tweak it somehow...

Keith_H said:
That is really neat! How do you think mounting platen like the one that it comes with on a water cooled backing would work out?
Click to expand...
If you have a problem with heat, it'd work great.
I never have a heat issue on my normal platen though.
 
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