New KMG machine

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golfer1

Joined
Nov 24, 2016
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Just recently found this forum and I'm looking hard at the KMG 72" grinder and maybe you folks could help me with a few questions.
I only make knives if that is helpful.
1. I am planning to get the flat grinding attachment and a 10" wheel.
2. Is a 1 horse motor enough for this or do I need the 1.5 or 2 hp motor?
3. Can I save by getting my motor and VS unit locally?
4. What am I missing?
5. KMG seems to be a pretty good unit, and I would rather spend once. Should I be looking at something different.
6. What have I missed?
Thanks for looking and your help in advance. Best wishe.
 
1. That's a good place to start. Small wheel attachment would be the next thing I'd recommend.
2. 1hp is almost insufficient. 1.5hp is the best you can do on 115v, and true 2hp requires 220, 2hp is preferable.
3. You can if you know what to buy and understand why. TEFC motor, enclosed VFD or enclosures for the VFD, wiring, etc.
4. Belts
5. Lots of nice grinders out there. I built all of mine so I can't speak to them but there are a lot of nice ones. If I was going to buy a premade one I think the Northridge grinder is a good design and a good value.
6. Belts
 
So I bought a KMG last summer and I absolutely love the machine. What I did was searched amazon and found the exact same 1.5 HP motor that Beaumont metal works had for sale but it was about 50-60 dollars cheaper and way less in shipping. I bought all step pulleys and everything else to make it run from Beaumont metal works. I think over all between shipping cost a cheaper motor cost I saved about 150.00 small wheels and small wheels are on my list of things to get. My wife knowing nothing got me the small wheel attachment for Christmas but no wheels. She thought it came with wheels.

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1.5hp is the least i would would use. i have a kmg/1.5 and i can rarely stall it. just enough... may people say you "need" a vfd, but i have not seen a reason it is required or how does a better job. i think it is purely to save the 8 seconds it takes to change to another pulley slot.
 
Just remembered save your money by on the contact wheel spindle also it is just a piece of all thread that you can get from any hardware store for way cheaper. I hope this helps

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TG custom blades said:
Just remembered save your money by on the contact wheel spindle also it is just a piece of all thread that you can get from any hardware store for way cheaper. I hope this helps

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TG custom blades, i own a KMG and don't understand your response. could you elaborate? i'm always looking to make adjustments. thanks in advance!
 
john april said:
1.5hp is the least i would would use. i have a kmg/1.5 and i can rarely stall it. just enough... may people say you "need" a vfd, but i have not seen a reason it is required or how does a better job. i think it is purely to save the 8 seconds it takes to change to another pulley slot.
Click to expand...

Infinite speed adjustment in the range set, and a VFD is more customizable to what that range is, along with the time to change speeds. It's extremely convenient, but not "necessary."

Additionally if one were inclined, 1 VFD can power multiple pieces of equipment and give them all infinitely variable speed, through plugs or switches. Outside of hanging a buffer or disc on a belt driven grinder, it's pretty much limited to driving that machine only.
 
shamu said:
TG custom blades, i own a KMG and don't understand your response. could you elaborate? i'm always looking to make adjustments. thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
If you use any contact wheels instead of the platen the wheels are attached by what Beaumont metal works calls a contact wheel spindle it is 16.00 but is just a piece of all thread with an oversized nut. I just use a piece of all thread and some washers to get the correct spacing between the tooling arm and where the contact wheel should sit


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No. Problem. I was just trying to think of ways that I cut a little bit of cost when I bought mine.

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if I was considering buying a 2x72 grinder, there are 3 that come to mind that I would add to my list of 'to check out' the first is Travis Wuertz's TW-90, it is an awesome machine, and Travis sells and awesome Surface Grinding attachment as well. The next one, costly but very nice is the Hardcore Maximizer. The third and my personal favorite is the Northridge Pro Model grinder--all three of these machines will rotate and grind in a 90 degree plane to the Horizontal one and do it easily. I think these three are the top of the line in the 2x72 grinder market--one other it is hard to go wrong with anything the make is the various 2x72 grinders from Burr King.

Good luck in your search--PS--so far I have been loving my Northridge Pro Model
 
golfer1 said:
Should I be looking at something different.
Click to expand...

I would look at Hardcore 2x72 and a TW-90
I like using my Hardcore more than my KMG style grinder,

I visited Travis just the other week and he showed me around his shop and let me in on other projects he is working on.
Travis is a very smart guy and if I had to do it all over again, I would get the TW-90 up front.

PS, what's your index golfer? :-)
 
HSC /// said:
I would look at Hardcore 2x72 and a TW-90
I like using my Hardcore more than my KMG style grinder,

I visited Travis just the other week and he showed me around his shop and let me in on other projects he is working on.
Travis is a very smart guy and if I had to do it all over again, I would get the TW-90 up front.

PS, what's your index golfer? :-)
Click to expand...

For a first grinder I would not recommend a two wheel style like the hard core, because the replaceable tool arm grinders are so much more versatile. I got the opportunity to use a hardcore during a class and it was by far the smoothest grinder I have ever used.
 
Replaceable tool arms are indeed versatile. But the Hardcore has all the attachments as well. Small wheel. Different diameter contact wheels. Long platen etc. But the attachments are not inexpensive but they are oh so well made. :-)


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Oh thanks so much for your help. You really opened up a new world to me as I had not looked at the tw90 and Northridge. They are some pretty awesome machines. I'm not in a big hurry to make a decision but hope to be ready in Feb. or March. I will probably have some more questions later if you don't mind.
HSC: I'm really a golfer wanna be, lol. Would love to break par more often. Played a practice game with two pros one time and was so embarrassed it was ridiculous. I was making pars and bogies and they made all birdies and better. Hope your game is better.
Best wishes to all.
 
I have 2 KMGs they are great machines. Here's my advice

1. Get the small wheel attachment and a 3/4th or so wheel for marrying the tight curves of the handle to the tang. I use mine on every single knife
2. Always go for more horsepower. I have a 1.5 115 and a 3HP 220v. I can grind much better on the 3HP unit because I can use lower speeds with sufficient torque.
3. A VFD is 100% a must.
4. Get a hardened steel platen from Nathan the machinist. A normal flat platen will stop being flat after only a few blades.
5. Buy your motor on Ebay. You can really save big. I got my 3HP leeson for $275 delivered :thumbup:
6. The surface grinding attachment for Travis Wuertz is worth the money if you can't get a stand alone surface grinder and belt convert it. I use my surface grinder attachment on every small blade and it a truly phenomenal tool.

7. Remove the flat platen and run scalloped edge klingspor 1in belts to shape handles. It really saves a ton of time.
8. Get a rubber upper wheel for your flat platen so you can also use it to shape handles and marry scales to the tang.
 
I have a KMG package (10inch wheel, Platen, 1.5 motor) I would do one thing different... Buy the VS controller package up front (2HP). The 3 step pulley system leaves me wanting more. Is the package I have useable? 100% and I am happy to have it. The old saying buy once cry once really proves to be true in this aspect though, at least for me.

Oh and yes the small wheel attachment is a must at some point(sooner than later).
 
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