Recommendations for a new grinder?!

WilliamWoods

WilliamWoods

Joined
Apr 22, 2011
Messages
460
Well this weekend has been a great chance to see the new tech out there for us makers at BLADE. I am in the market for a new grinder. I have been using an worn and old BurrKing and a Grizzly 2x72 for some time now and its time to step up my game with a new grinder. Price isn't as important to me as useable features and quality is. I have finally learned the lesson of, "Buy once, cry once."

I was wondering if anybody had some experience with two machines I saw demoed at BLADE this year:

Wilmont TAG-101 Grinder - Package C

Wuertz Machine TW-90 Grinder

I really like the idea of having a do it all combo machine and I do have a few specific needs:
2x72 belt size
VFD with capability to run on 120v and 220v (single phase)
Flat platen (I mostly do flat grinds)
Slack belt ability
Multi small wheel capability
Enough power to hog out nice thick blanks quickly
Most important is a large selection of tools that are modular and adjustable

I was going to go the KMG route but these hybrid machines look very capable. What do you guys think?
 
If I could get any grinder I wanted then it it would be the TW 90

The quality and versatility is top notch
 
I've used both quite a bit, since two of my friends have either.

They're both excellent grinders, and it would be a tough decision for me. They're both "do it all" grinders. You won't be dissapointed with either.

Both have excellent tracking, and huge versatility. I really like the large bader style tracking and drive wheels of the tw-90, but the wilmont grinder has a much more versatile platen setup, and the multiple tooling arm slots make the customization and versatility options nearly infinite.

The flipping and tension designs on the tw-90 seem more elegant, but that means little in use.

If you had zero space to work with, and had no other choice for surface grinding than the tw-90 surface grinder attachment, i'd say go with the tw90.

If you're a pro, you probably already have a dedicated surface grinder or plans for one soon, which makes that option redundant.

I have a hydraulic feed surface grinder already, which is bigger, specialized, and I presume better suited to my uses, and probably cost me less used than the new attachment would cost (is there a price yet?)

For me, if I bought another grinder, I would end up choosing the wilmont. The versatility of the multiple tooling slots, the platen setup, and the fact that you don't have to piggyback your tooling options on the single less common tooling arm format would outweigh the options for the tw90.

That all being said, the fact that I have a surface grinder, already use 1.5" tooling arms, and view platen versatility (especially in horizontal mode) to be a huge priority, are the main reasons I feel that way.
 
Just want to add that I don't see any construction compromises in eithet machine, theyre both top notch. Just two very different designs.

If there are aspects of the Wilmont that remind you of the eerf/gib grinders, that's because they stem from the same mind. The Wilmont is just as well constructed as the tw-90, in my opinion they're equal in that regard.
 
I used a KMG for several years and it was a well built machine and served me well...... Then came along Travis with his TW-90. All I can say is "AMAZING"!!!! It is SO well built, incredible designed, amazingly versatile, super quiet, etc etc etc. It is simply the BEST out there!! The KMG is nice. The Wilmont is nicer. The TW-90 is on a whole different level and you would be more than happy if you chose it.
 
I'm leaning toward the T-90. Has anyone got some input on how easy it is to do swedges and false edges in horizontal mode with the flat platen? It doesn't look like the rest is adjustable angle wise.
 
I have a Wilton square wheel, a Burr King, a Dozier, a JL horizontal, and the T-90. The T-90 is by far the best!
 
Gee, sounds like you have a tough choice as both sound great. Seems like it boils down to two main differences...

  1. TW90's engineering sounds like it might be a little sweeter(?), but most especially it has a surface grinder option, yet it also has a smaller tool bar so attachments are not interchangeable with many other grinders.
  2. TAG-101 has more tool arm and table rest interface options and bars are interchangeable with many other grinders, but no surface grinder attachment.
If it were me, and the surface grinder attachment was of interest, I might be looking at the TAG-101 (due mostly because of its compatibility with other grinders) and be seeing if TWuertz surface grinder attachment could be made to work with it.

Then again, even if tool bars are the same dimensions do the attachments really line up and track spot on when changed between different model grinders with the same size receivers?

Are the machine's prices similar? Wait and delivery times and costs similar? After market and long range support similar?
 
Phil Dwyer said:
Gee, sounds like you have a tough choice as both sound great. Seems like it boils down to two main differences...

  1. TW90's engineering sounds like it might be a little sweeter(?), but most especially it has a surface grinder option, yet it also has a smaller tool bar so attachments are not interchangeable with many other grinders.
  2. TAG-101 has more tool arm and table rest interface options and bars are interchangeable with many other grinders, but no surface grinder attachment.
If it were me, and the surface grinder attachment was of interest, I might be looking at the TAG-101 (due mostly because of its compatibility with other grinders) and be seeing if TWuertz surface grinder attachment could be made to work with it.

Then again, even if tool bars are the same dimensions do the attachments really line up and track spot on when changed between different model grinders with the same size receivers?

Are the machine's prices similar? Wait and delivery times and costs similar? After market and long range support similar?
Click to expand...

The TW90 is $3400 plus shipping and the TAG-101 is $3000 w/ free shipping. As far as I know they are both available and are very small one or two man operations.

I wasn't really looking at surface grinding until I started to see some of the videos by Wuertz. The ability to do perfect tapers and even some grinds all done with a surface grinder and a small wheel is VERY attractive.

Anybody know how much the surface grinder is for the Wuertz machine?
 
WilliamWoods said:
The TW90 is $3400 plus shipping and the TAG-101 is $3000 w/ free shipping. As far as I know they are both available and are very small one or two man operations.

I wasn't really looking at surface grinding until I started to see some of the videos by Wuertz. The ability to do perfect tapers and even some grinds all done with a surface grinder and a small wheel is VERY attractive.

Anybody know how much the surface grinder is for the Wuertz machine?
Click to expand...

I think it's another 900 but can't find that info now.
 
I think I'd personally rather buy a used dedicated surface grinder. And, tapering tangs is not so hard by hand that I feel excited about an attachment that probably wouldn't even save me any time. No slight intended to Travis or his grinder, from what I hear it's a super machine.

I do like the elegance of the TW 90's design enough that if I were shopping for a high end grinder, it would probably be first on the list.
 
WilliamWoods said:
I'm leaning toward the T-90. Has anyone got some input on how easy it is to do swedges and false edges in horizontal mode with the flat platen? It doesn't look like the rest is adjustable angle wise.
Click to expand...

I do my false edges with the platen vertical. However it can be done horizontal as the tool rests can go in just about any position possible. Versatility is an understatement with this machine. The surface grinder is right around $900 and a sweet option. I know many have dedicated surface grinders. However, I doubt they are $900 and if you are limited on space it is a nice option/alternative.
 
Look all over Ebay. If you are within a reasonable drive of one, you can get a surface grinder for $900 pretty easy. Might not be a brand new hydraulic 12x36.
 
I seriously looked at both at the blade show. Both have their advantages and it comes down to what will work best for you.

For me it's a TW-90. It has a smaller footprint, the control box moves with the machine and it looks like a cleaner design.
 
I have the TW-90. It is just a dream to work with. The biggest asset for me personally on any grinder is variable speeds. That aside, the TW-90 is like having; a flat grinder, hollow grinder, spindle sander, and surface grinder all in one machine. The tool rest can be adjusted to multiple angles, and the small wheel tool-arm can take 1/2" to 2" bader wheels. And yes it is a super quiet machine. If you haven't already just watch the videos Travis post on his site.
 
I was talking with Travis at Blade and from what I could gather, if you want your TW90 to fit tooling arms from KMG's, etc, that can be done.
 
i watched all the videos for both grinders. ( i spent a lot of time last night doing that instead of things i should have been doing :D ) i would by the Wilmont. it seems the better deal to me personally. although i like the size of the flat platen better on the TW-90 it seems a little small on the Wilmont. but i am sure you could adapt another one for the Wilmont.

i dont see myself using the surface grinding attachment much for what i am interested in although if you could afford it, it does seem neat.

on a side note..... does it seem odd to anyone else that the KMG is no longer the top dog?

jake
 
I have a TW90 and I like it. The Wilmont is cheaper, but does it include the small wheel attachment and 8" wheel? It looks like the "C" Package only comes with the platen. Also,the TW90 is a 2hp as apposed to 1.5. I would go with the TW90 again!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top