No Weld Grinder?

M

mike_758905

Joined
May 13, 2009
Messages
46
Hello, still fairly new to knife making but very serious about getting a shop set up, so with that being said I am looking for quality tools and trying to get everything I need at once. As much as it pains me I am on a budget and think a grinder may be a great way for me to save some money. I like the KMG grinders and in my shopping I ran across plans for the "NO WELD GRINDER $25" is this a good piece of equipment after it is all said and done? Any guys here who have built one? Is it a P.I.A. to construct? Looks much simpiler to follow plans and do a bit of mig welding on it to me. Has anyone welded one of these frames up? The final product after all the hardware is on looks a bit crude to me, and I think a guy could spend a bit of time measuring from the plans and do some mitres on the tubing opposed to drilling a 1000 holes and clamping and bolting the assembly togather and make a much cleaner and safe machine. Any guys taken this path? If so I would love some feedback or even a pic or two of your machine. Are the plans worth the $25 ?
 
First of all..the noweld grinder and its plans are a very good deal..the machine works wonderfully, the plans are very explanatory and if followed you will have a very good pc of equipment. Now..if you want to weld it up as you say..then build the grinder per plans, tweak it a bit over a several day period if you feel the necessity, then tack all joints or appropriate pcs together, try again for a few days..then weld the whole thing up. You still need all the pcs with the exception of some of the bolts and the 1/8" x 1" straps.
 
Here is another option you might want to consider. I believe the no-weld grinder is a great way to obtain a good grinder at minimal expense.
This one is more expensive to build but offers substancial savings over the KMG.
Here is the link for everything you will need.
www.dfoggknives.com/PDF/GrinderPlans.pdf
 
I got my plans for the NWG friday and spent a good amout of time going over it this weekend. I believe it will be an easy build once all the required metal/wheels/hardware have been purchased. I think I'm more excited about building the grinder than about the oven my wife is going to let me buy.
 
Tracy is now offering a basic frame kit for the NWG--everything cut and drilled, you just assemble.
 
I built one a while back and it is a very good machine. The $25 spent for the plans will save you money in the long run when you don't have to screw up. Tracy did all the screwing up for us and then let us benefit from the final plans. It is definitely worth it.

-Mike
 
I just got to see one of these in person this weekend and it's a nice running grinder when it's all built. Depending on how your work patterns develop you may tweak a thing of two over time, but that happens with commercial grinders too :)

-d
 
I bought the NWGS plans, and built it last year. I have nothing to compare it to as this is my first grinder, but I can honestly say that I have no reservations at all about it's quality, functionality, and ongoing use. It does what I need it to do, and does it well. Couldn't ask for more.

~ Dagr
 
You asked about welding it up, and some have made suggestions on tweaking it as you find tune it and then tack weld it, tweak some more and then finish weld it up. What they didn't say, but implied, is that "yes", quite a few members here have welded this grinder up and are very pleased with the results. I just wanted to clarify that it has been welded up by quite a few individuals.
 
Thanks, I am ordering the plans primarly for the materials list and motor info. I am thinking of constucting one with dimensions from the plans but using some heavy plate steel to replace a good portion of the tubing and jointery. I studied pictures of the no weld and pictures of the KMG and instantly had a mental image of a much less complex frame that I want to try to execute. I more comfortable buying the plans hearing some of the people here are using machines based off these plans. Thanks Alot for the feedback!
 
All i have to say is do it. It does not mater what it looks like if it preforms how it should. I have one, well actually i was the first to built of besides tracy. it is amazing and if you dont have the money to drop on a kmg or a mill to make a kmg clone then do it. thy run great and i have never had any problems. i must say after using mine for what 2 or so years and love it. yes i might build me a kmg but thats just because i have an extra 5hp 3phase motor that needs a home and i have full access to a full machine shop. you wont regret it. o and no need to weld it, it is rock solid and i use to have to move it out side every time i used it and it would never tweak or shit and i would grab a hold of any tube.
 
Mike,
Take it from me, I started building a KMG clone, welding it all up, since I could only work on it on weekends and such it was taking forever. Not to mention trying to "wing it" as far as the design goes. I have since decided to build the no weld grinder. Tracy is great to deal with, I buy most of my supplies from him.

Here is a link to his website for a video of the grinder running.
http://www.usaknifemaker.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=60&products_id=723


It seems very solid and smooth. Not to mention alot of guys on this forum use it.
If you go to JT's website he has posted some videos that where he is using his grinder.
Thanks again for the vids JT:)
 
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Best $25.00 I ever spent.
 
Thank you for posting some pics, and finally someone that welded one without buying all the bolts and making it look like an erector set. Thanks for the pics bikermikearchery and swace!
 
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