New Grinder Question (Again)

W

WadeH

Joined
Apr 24, 2006
Messages
875
I have really been wanting to get a 2x72 grinder for awhile. I have read all of the posts on them and it seems that everyone states that the variable speed control is the best and makes all of the difference when learning to grind. My wife said we could probaly go with 500 for the coote if I wanted and I could talk her into the other 250 for the basic KMG which I know is the best. But then the VFD would be another 814 dollars which I know she will not allow at this time. If I put a 3 step pulley on the motor and KMG, my speeds would be about 3500, 1750 and 800 on the 4" part of the pulley. So my question boils down to would 800 fps be slow enough to have plenty of control and to learn how to grind and then maybe next year get the VFD and motor package. I have a pretty good idea what everyones answer is going to be, but I jsut want to make sure I have thought this threw enough and not missing anything. Thanks for any and all advice.
 
I use a 3 step pully on my grinder and love it. ya a var speed would rock but man its pricey. there are so many more things i need more.
 
I have a coote and it is set up for about 2900 sfpm and 5600 sfpm which works well for me. I find that the biggest thing you can do to help your grind lines is use a fresh belt for finish grinding. I generally use a fresh belt and a moderate speed and I get pretty good grind lines. you can look around there is a thread about all the different coote setups people have you find a style that catches your eye.

go for the kmg if you can, but you won't regret the coote it is a solid machine and will do most things a KMG will. I also highly recommend the small wheel attachment for the coote, its a little pricey but it will make life so much better for handle fitting.

-Joisah
 
Wade,

I just purchased a KMG and installed my own motor & VFD... it is a very nice grinder. I think the same grinder w/ step pulleys would work just fine.

I do have an issue w/ your costs as noted. You mention the basic KMG as costing $750 and that the VFD costs an extra $814. This is not exactly true. The $750 cost for the KMG-PL does not include a motor. It also (AFAIK) does not include the motor or grinder pulleys, the drive belt, or the base plate. Nor does it include shipping. So, if you buy all of these from Rob, you're probably looking closer to $1400. The $814 VDF package includes both a VFD and 3-phase motor (which is, by-the-way, a different motor than you would get with the step-pulley setups).

I am sure that Rob has put a lot of thought into the motors/controls that he offers with his grinders. That being said, you can get a 2hp motor and VFD for less money. I purchased a 2-hp 3-phase 3600rpm TEFC motor from Grizzly for $120 plus S&H. I purchased a KB Electronics KBAC-27D (AFAIK the same one that Rob sells w/ his package) from State Electric for $360 plus S&H. I did not purchase the base plate. You can check out my setup in THIS THREAD. I am fairly proud of it.

Beaumont makes a great grinder... but they do cost. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Erin
 
Last edited:
Whichever grinder you buy, a 1 1/2 or 2hp motor from grizzly is $120, and the 2hp VFD is $140 and build a filtered box.

Grinder1.jpg
 
Erin I was looking at the base prices of the grinders. The coote does not come with a motor either, so I was trying to keep it apples to apples, sort of. Thanks for the heads up with the motor from Grizzly. Will that motor work on a VFD or without one too? I was not thinking of using the base plate either. I had planned on mounting the motor on a hinge plate where it would be easy to move the drive belt back and forth. I guess I could always up grade the motor later with one that will have a VFD and use the other motor for another project like a disc grinder or something. Anyway thanks for the guidance I really appreciate it. By the way, that is a great set up you have and a fantastic paint job on your grinder. One last question for you if you do not mind, is there ever a reason you would want to run your grinder at 3500 fps?
 
I use the three pulleys. The slow is slow enough that I don't burn my edges after heat treat. I can change speeds in 20 seconds without rushing.

Someday I'd like to get a VFD. But its kush, not need.
 
WadeH said:
One last question for you if you do not mind, is there ever a reason you would want to run your grinder at 3500 fps?
Click to expand...

When hogging metal the speed is nice, some guys are spining close to 6000. Mine does 5700.

The Grizzly motor is 3 phase, you need the VFD to operate. Although they do sell 1 phase motors also.
 
Gixxer, that VFD is by far the cheapest I've ever seen. Did you get it from grizzly, or from some other supplier? I searched the model and found a bunch of other dealers that sell it.

How is it working for you? Any challenges to overcome? Anything you would be doing differently? I live in Canada so unfortunately Beaumont products are off limits to me :(.
 
Mathil, I live in Canada too and bought the same VFD from Factorymation in the US. I love it. It powers two 2HP 3 phase motors I bought locally. A few other guys on here have the same setup so you can get all the help you need here and if "I" can do it, anybody can.

Patrice
 
mathil said:
Gixxer, that VFD is by far the cheapest I've ever seen. Did you get it from grizzly, or from some other supplier? I searched the model and found a bunch of other dealers that sell it.

How is it working for you? Any challenges to overcome? Anything you would be doing differently? I live in Canada so unfortunately Beaumont products are off limits to me :(.
Click to expand...

I got the VFD from here...
http://www.factorymation.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.32/.f

Challenges? making sure the filters still filter but provide the least resistance to airflow. I used a random size Fram air filter both on the intake and exhaust side. I do plan on adding cannon plugs to the sides for the motor side and breaker box side so I can plug the VFD into different machinery. For right now I have conduit pinch caps on each side going in and out.
 
A variable speed grinder is nice, but having a powerful 2x72 is more important. I worked for over 12 years on a single speed grinder and made over 1000 knives on it. Go with the less expensive for now and when you can easily afford the variable speed grinder, you can upgrade.
Del
 
I've been using a coote for about a year now and it works great. I have the 3 wheel set up and it does all I want to do. It is a solid enouh machine even if I upgrade it will still be very useful. It is a very quality machine.
 
Another question I have for fellow Canucks is this : Where do you get idler, contact, and drive wheels from? Pillow blocks and other such things are easy to get, but it seems the wheels are hard to track down. Any treasure maps?
 
I got the 220 single phase 2hp and vfd from Rob and I might of over paid but having all thats needed from the start sure was nice. the base plate is worth it to imo. its nice to be able to slow it down to a crawl when contoure handles
too.
 
I did check out the motors at Grizzly, they were not bad priced, about 190 dollars which is still pretty cheap. I also checked HF and they have Marathon motors which I have never heard of before for about 130 plus shipping. Has anyone ever used those motors from HF?
 
1000% get the KMG. Pick up a used motor with the step pulley's and you are good to go.
 
I have the coote with the 3 pulley on the grinder and another 3 pulley on the motor, the motor is mounter on a pipe for easy change up, works well.
A fellow in Regina makes contact wheels but I do not have his contact, other than that sunray makes passable ones.
Cheers Ron.
 
I too am collecting whats needed to power a KMG in the hopefully near future. I'm not sure how often Grizzly runs sales on their motors but I bought a 3hp 3-phase 1800 RPM for $119.00 last night ($163 shipped). The normal price is $225. I'm gonna go with the TECO FM50 203-c from Factorymation.com for $185. Grand total for the upgrade from 2hp to 3hp = $60. $20 for the motor and $40 for the VFD. I've read every post I could find on grinder motor selection and finally came to the conclution that nobody ever wishes they had LESS power so for $60 extra what the hey, Why not. Pre-Newbie here so not trying to give advice !!! Just my 2 cents based on value for the $ and the opinions of those who have discussed this subject in the past.
 
WadeH said:
I did check out the motors at Grizzly, they were not bad priced, about 190 dollars which is still pretty cheap. I also checked HF and they have Marathon motors which I have never heard of before for about 130 plus shipping. Has anyone ever used those motors from HF?
Click to expand...

The motors Grizzly sells are marathon electric also. I have one 3/4hp for my disc and a 2hp for my grinder. Had the 3/4 for a year and the 2 for about two months. Never a problem with either motor. Of course it is not a Leeson (what Rob sells at Beaumont) but as long as I get what I want out of em I will not complain...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top