Pheer PH427 or a KMG 3 Speed?

Tin.Man said:
KMG allll the way. Its the only thing in my shop that I feel warm and fuzzy every time I see it and I know it will out last me
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I was going to stay out of this as they say about opinions and certain body parts.
I have ground on an Esteem,it' a good grinder for the money.I have ground on several tubular welded grinders (similar to the Pheer but not made by him.)
None match up to my KMG in smoothness of operation.
Take it for what it's worth.

Stan
 
Why not consider the Polar Bear Forge grinder in an Box? Or a no weld grinder if you are considering a tubular steel grinder?

The esteem looks like it is built to a higher standard that the pheer. I have not used either. Consider the mass of a grinder as well since this will help with stability. Solid steel,mounted solidly should be just darn solid. Tubular steel could have a tuning fork type resonance. Consider all this. Think about the big picture. Plan on just buying this grinder once.
 
I swear by my KMG. Built like a tank, will be able to pass it down for decades to come. (i'd say to my grandkids but i dont have any kids myself) It's the most solidly built indestructible grinder out there. And Rob at beaumont metal works is fantastic to deal with.

IMO get the better machine now, and upgrade the drive later if you want variable speed. that's what I did and I'm very happy with my decision.
 
Justin.Mercier said:
IMO get the better machine now, and upgrade the drive later if you want variable speed. that's what I did and I'm very happy with my decision.
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That is the only factor that really keeps the KMG in the running (for me). The 3 speed is comparable in price to the Pheer and Esteem, but it don't have variable speed. But then again, if I can have a slightly better quality/better running machine and add a variable speed later...?

Is the variable speed really that much better, or can I do without it? Geez, I managed to live with my single (insanely fast) speed 2x42 for the last few years.

KMG seems to be the standard that all the other grinders seem to be judged against, IMO it seems to be the most popular higher end grinder here.
 
I ran my KMG with 3 speeds for quite some time before upgrading, I upgraded because it was 'nice' not 'necessary'
 
Jay,
get the kmg without vfd. you might never need to get a vfd setup. you will not be disappointed.
 
Has anyone else other then Stan ran an esteem and KMG and Bador? That Esteem looks good, just wondering if any of the "old pro's" have had the chance to run one. Its gettig good reviews, but seems like most that buy it, it's there first grinder. I like the thought of supporting one of "our own" guys, and like the price, but I would spend the extra
If its a better machine. Stan said it didn't run as smooth?
 
Rob at Beaumont metalworks is one of 'our own' guys too =) he's given away free KMGs in forum contests here before, and he's supported a lot of people's 'home ginder' builds with parts and service.
 
Cody, don't get me wrong the Esteem is a good machine, but mass dampens vibration and that is where the KMG has the edge. There again is just my opinion. I just like the feel of a lot of solid steel.:D

Stan
 
jaymeister99 said:
Anybody know the shipping charges for the KMG?
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I bought my kmg in may sooo solid and smooth. I had a motor already and bought step pullies. Really its all I need for right now. I was $800 ish for a grinder with flat platen and nothing else which to me seemed like a good deal. Shipping was around $90.00 to virginia
 
Baders are used ALOT in the metal fab industry, Ive operated Baders, wilton 4 wheels, GIBs, KMG, and of course the esteem, and Ive ground around 300 blades on a machine I built with Brett out of tubular steel that is powered by a tile saw motor and step pulleys?!.
 

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Ok, well now I'm on board with the KMG! Solid, well built, with the same features as the others for around the same price. Only drawback is that it won't be variable speed. But I can add that later.
 
jaymeister99 said:
Ok, well now I'm on board with the KMG! Solid, well built, with the same features as the others for around the same price. Only drawback is that it won't be variable speed. But I can add that later.
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I think that's a very good decision.. I went from a Coote and a Wilton Square wheel to a Variable KMG it is really solid and I'm sorry but I don't think you are comparing apples to apples when you throw the Pheer up against the other choices . When buying a piece of equipment always consider resale value. If something ever happened and you decided to get out of making knives you can always sell your KMG for a good price. That's carry's some weight in mind way of thinking.

I also believe even though I have not used the Esteem can tell by it construction method would be a solid performer , I'm sure you could get by with a Pheer with no disrespect to the maker of the machine you will always have in the back of your mind if you made the right choice.
 
I've got one of the Pheer grinders, and whatever you do, unless you feel confident about rigging your own VFD with a good quality dustproof enclosure that will vent heat well, make sure when/if you do upgrade to a VFD, that you make sure you get a good dustproof enclosure setup. I like Jose's grinder, and it seems to run plenty smooth. Aside from the tool-rest and platen design, I don't think there's a lot I'd change about it.
 
I just got my Pheer 427 setup and running. Mine came finished which surprised me...it was painted a metallic Green. Very nice grinder and it is everything I need and I saved money to spend on belts and steel.
 
All,

Thanks big time for all the responses. Seems like the Pheer, Esteem, and KMG are all great machines. But IMO, the KMG is the best for me.

The wife found out what I was about to spend on the KMG and had a fit (if you're married you'll understand, if not then you will when you get married).

So I explained about how I was "only" going to buy a motor and "later" get a grinder sans motor. This worked! So I'm planning on a 1.5hp TEFC Baldor next month, then a month or two later getting a KMG less the motor.
 
I bought a Pheer. Make sure that the variable speed controller is in a self contained sealed box. I went through 4 or 5 controler with Jose at Pheer None of which made it long enough to finish a knife. I met Chris at Wilmont and he sold me his controller for my grinder and I am on knife number 7 with no problems. Jose is a good guy but you get what you paid for. When I went with Chris life was much more simple. It worked.
 
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