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mikemaupin

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Nov 18, 2003
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Hi Folks, I am new to this forum as of today and thought I would introduce myself.
I am 62 yrs old, retired on disability and live in East Tn. I have to many interest to list:)
Years ago I made a few knives but didnt have any equipment to amount to anything. I now have a small machine shop that I use to dabble in minature steam engines and hit and miss engines. What I dont have is a good belt sander and is partly the subject of this post. I have been saving and selling stuff to purchase a square wheel grinder. I have strugled with this problem for the past two months and am leaning toward the Wilton 4103 along with the hollow grind attachment from a well known company. I need some input on the Wilton. Also some input on the hollow grind attachment. Its the one that has an elevator and a taper tang attachment as optional attachments. They say it is guarnteed to hollow grind a straight or recurve blade symetrical and parallel. I have no idea how this thing works. I was wondering if anyone has tried this unit and dose it work well? I am going to put my order in Friday or Monday and advice from you folks will be greatly appreciated. Some info on whicn kind and what grit belts to start off with would also be helpfull. Thanks in advance for your help. Mike M
 
Mike, welcome to BFC.
I don't mean to run down Wilton, but I believe that the KMG1 from Beaumont Metal Works is a superior machine, at the same, or maybe even less $$.
You might want to call and talk to Rob Frink about his grinder.
http://www.beaumontmetalworks.com/

My experience with the square wheel is limited, but I do know people that have owned them.
The older ones were made a bit better than the new, heavier gauge metal etc.
Both of those people went to a KMG1 grinder, and were sorry they didn't do it sooner.
Whichever way you go, good luck to you!!:D
 
Thats the other grinder I am looking Mike. The KMG dosn't come with a motor and the 8' version is 795.00 the Wilton is 1035.00 I kinda figured if I have to buy a motor for the KMG the two machines would probably be close in price. A feature I was looking at on the Wilton is that it comes with a 1.5 and 3" contact wheels on the platen and can be rotated to use either wheel (I think). Also the hollow grind attachment has a bracket that fits the Wilton, I am not sure if theres one for the KMG but probably so. A friend of mine has the KMG and it is a really smoothe machine and I hear that the KMG has better belt tracking so I dont know what to do here. I have 1500 to invest and thats it so it has been driving me nuts. Anyway thanks Mike for your reply, thats the kind of info I am looking for, Mike M
 
Welcome aboard. I love my KMG. You should check Surplus Center for a motor and control. I got mine a few years ago for around $300 for both. You can not beat a DC motor and speed control on th KMG.
 
Hi Mike, very nice to meet you.

RE: grinding attachment
I don't know if you're going to find much info on that 'attachement' here. I don't believe most folks use them - at least I don't know of any or people won't admit they are 'using a crutch'. Point is you can grind without it. Most of my fun is grinding - couldn't imagine using a jig.

RE: Contact wheels
I suppose you could have a 1.5 and 3" on the KMG, but I don't think those sizes are used much in knife making. 8 or 10" for all sorts of things. 3/4" for handle shaping - those are probably the most popular. Here's my platen with a 2" wheel on the bottom.

platen.jpg


You can ask Mr. Frink for the 'Sando' platen. See the groove? It allows me to rotate the platen up so I can get to the wheel (and other things).

However, much more useful is the the a small wheel attachement so you can pop in wheels from 1/2" to 2"(?). The best size to get is the 3/4" for finger grooves and such.

RE: Motor.

I imagine that Square wheel deal is fixed speed. You'd be MUCH MUCH happier with a 3 speed setup with pulleys (Mr. Frink sells 'em) or a variable speed motor.

RE: Which grinder.

I bought the KMG on recommendations from people on this forum and I am one happy camper.

Steve

PS If you are on a strict budget, there are ways to run a variable speed DC motor for <$200. But I'll get hassled if I mention it.;) ;) Search the forum for 'treadmill'
 
Mike,
Welcome to the forum.
Speaking first hand, having both the Square Wheel and the KMG, go with the KMG. The SW I have is decades old and was built much better then than now. It's handy to have and versatile but underpowered with the standard motor.
When Rob built my KMG I had him build some extra arms that hold all the SW attachments and wheels. Rob is good about that :) Tell him what you need and he'll figure a way to make it for you.
Go with variable speed. You won't regret it. Plenty of them available on surplus sites.
 
Okay. I'll help Mike get the DC controller. I'll probably have to put it all together since the best buys are for un-enclosed electronics. BUT ONLY IF you go with the KMG. That will save you some major bucks. You pay for parts.

Roger
 
Oh no Steve, that had nothing to do with it at all. Just thought I might be of some help, thats all.

Steve, they are rating that DC drive at 8 amp. output. That's a little light for our grinders. Need 11, or 10 at the least I believe. Fifteen to 16 will provide for 1 1/2 HP.

Both my tread mill motors are still humming along.

RL
 
Mike, these guys won't steer you wrong. I have one of the old Wiltons. It is a good machine, but the smoother running and variable speed grinders can't be beat. I have more vibration with my ol' Wilton and a smaller motor( I beleive it is a 1 hp.)but it has plenty enough power.I bought my machine REALLY cheap from a widow, and still consider it a great bargain. And welcome to the club, Mike!
 
WHAT WHAT WHAT??!! Nobody likes my BIII? :grumpy:

Hehe no problem. Even I'll admit the KMG is a better machine. Fact is, it'll be my next rig.

Welcome to Bladeforums, Mike.
 
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