Secondary tooling arm on your 2x72

E.Carlson

E.Carlson

Joined
Mar 28, 2016
Messages
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I'll be purchasing my first 2x72 soon. I have weighed the pros and cons of various makers and brands, options, prices, and the such and I believe I have made up my mind. There are plenty of threads comparing different makers so I am not asking about one brand over another. I'm more curious to get some opinions on models with 2 tooling arm slots versus models with one. Does it add that much more versatility? Other than being able to quickly add and remove a work rest, does it add much to your set up, or does it sit empty most of the time? Is it a game changer for you? What do YOU use it for?
 
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I use mine a lot, but I use a grinding jig for most of the primary beveling. It's also really useful when profiling, as long as I set it up square everything comes out with nice 90* edges. I'm in Edmond if you ever want to swing by and take a look at it.
 
I have a secondary slot on my GIB, but I have never used it. I built an articulated work rest that mounts to the main tool arm like that on the Esteem grinder that gives me all the flexibility I need.
 
NC Biker said:
I have a secondary slot on my GIB, but I have never used it. I built an articulated work rest that mounts to the main tool arm like that on the Esteem grinder that gives me all the flexibility I need.
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That is kind of how I feel. Other than a slot for the tool rest, which the bolt on esteem version appears to do everything I would need, I can't seem to come up with another purpose for it.
 
Made_in_the_Shade said:
I use mine a lot, but I use a grinding jig for most of the primary beveling. It's also really useful when profiling, as long as I set it up square everything comes out with nice 90* edges. I'm in Edmond if you ever want to swing by and take a look at it.
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Thanks for the offer. I'm in Edmond too, so I may just have to do that! It's good to know someone with the same hobby is nearby. Have you come up with any uses for it other than the tool rest?
 
No I can't say I have. But I like using it for the tools rest because I can loosen one screw and take it out completely if the rest bolts to the arm you would have to take them out completely everytime you wanted to remove it which isn't really a big deal.
 
Made_in_the_Shade said:
No I can't say I have. But I like using it for the tools rest because I can loosen one screw and take it out completely if the rest bolts to the arm you would have to take them out completely everytime you wanted to remove it which isn't really a big deal.
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I don't remove my tool rest. The beauty of the articulated arm is that when the rest is not needed, I just swing it down and back out of the way.
 
Having a second slot on my grinders is "A game changer" for me. I have several different tool rests that I have constructed for different jobs but the best one is mounted to a tool arm. I have a tool rest like the Esteem grinder uses and it is a good rest as well but not as stable as the tool arm mounted rest. Here are a couple photos. Larry

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I added a 2nd arm to my KMG so that I can make some jigs a more substantial toolrest and whatnot. I like it.
 
Justin.Mercier said:
I added a 2nd arm to my KMG so that I can make some jigs a more substantial toolrest and whatnot. I like it.
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Justin, I modified my KMG for a second tool arm slot as well. I have seen photos of your grinder and the direct drive conversion is nice too. I love having an extra slot...best thing I did this year! Larry


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I'm with Larry. I don't use work rests too often, and usually only for profiling, but I LOVE being able to just whip it on and off. Much nicer than digging for wrenches.
 
Anyone interested in converting their KMG grinder to direct drive should take a look at Matthew Gregory's direct drive conversion. It is the nicest I have seen. He made a KMG grinder with multiple problems into a well functioning grinder with extra tool slot, gas piston tension, and a direct drive conversion. He posted some photos a while back of his modifications and they really nice. Larry
 
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