so what's the latest word on 2x72s tw-90 ,tag 101 esteem kmg?

T

Teppojutsu

Joined
Jan 18, 2015
Messages
948
So I know this gets asked all the time and I've read the old threads....

But what's the latest word on their grinders, long term preformance?
(Including Customer service ). Would you buy differently now?
I realize the tag and the tw are both top their grinders but I have been eyeing the tag even though the tws surface grinder is extremely attractive to me.


What's the seasoned pros view after having had them for a while?

Thanks for your Time
Paul
 
I got a TW-90 last fall. It is an amazing machine, but has a few quirks that are rarely mentioned.

The #1 issue is the action of the shaft-clamps that make up the work rest. Annoyingly, they 'pull' when tightened - meaning your work rest will move 1° or 2° from where you intended to set it.
 
I have a KMG for 11 years now. No issues at all. Have used the TW90 at a friends place. Its a very nice unit. Would like to add one to my shop. Especially with the SG attachment. Have no experience with the Esteem but have heard great things from other that own them.

Customer service is great from Rob @ KMG.

If you can get a chance to try one or more out before may help in your decision.

Bing
 
The only grinder I've actually used is my KMG and it's a good machine. Having said that, after using it for nearly 3 years now, I know what I like about it and what I wish it had. I like the idea of more than one tool arm slot versus only having one. To me it allows for better designed tool rests that are easier to use and more versatile. Being able to easily flip the machine horizontal would also be a must for me, as well as a good belt tensioning design. So, of all the grinders currently available, that new Northridge grinder is the one I'd be taking a hard look at. Seems to have a nice mix of design features and capabilities that I personally would be looking for. They claim to also have a surface grinder attachment coming soon, which would be a bonus.
 
I love my TAG-101. I have been using it since 2013. Its built like a tank so I think it will probably last me forever. On top of that Chris the maker is a great guy that has never failed to help me out when I have had questions.
 
I have two TW-90's. I also own a burr king, square wheel, Dozier, I have used Baders. I would not trade my TW-90's for any other grinder I have ever used. I am a very very satisified owner of the TW-90's.
 
Tom Lewis said:
I have two TW-90's. I also own a burr king, square wheel, Dozier, I have used Baders. I would not trade my TW-90's for any other grinder I have ever used. I am a very very satisified owner of the TW-90's.
Click to expand...
I am a big fan of the new Northridge grinder stuff, But Tom's got the experience clearly, and some awesome grinders to compare with and I would put a lot of stock in his view!
 
I have a TW-90 and a KMG.

The TW-90 is fantastic, although I wish it had a better tool rest. There are a few other minor things, but overall I think it's probably the best grinder available right now.

The KMG is OK, but I would never buy another one for a variety of reasons. I've actually been thinking about selling mine.

If I had to buy another grinder tomorrow, it would either be another TW-90 or a TAG-101.
 
Thank you for all your responses my only 2 x 72 was and old noisy Wilson square wheel single (high) speed it was a Lil rough at times but WAY better

Then my dad's belt sander in a vice with a zip tie on the trigger lol
This is when I was 16 (now 32) .
I find my self hungry for knives again ( spent too much time with guns)
I've always had an intense love for blades and apprentuced under a guy for a while ( he gave me the square wheel cool old man !)

Then I had kids and everything kinda got put on hold so now I have been buying blades again and started telling.myself for what I spent on blades in the last year
I could almost buy a tag or two 90 :)

So that's why I'm asking. I plan on learning to forge as I go for.my pleasure
I have a forge almost done ( need burner and refractory the body is done)
And I would like to do stock removal (if I'm good enough) As a secondary hobby buisness.

I buy once and cry once now so I'd rather buy a machine that I can grow into and upgrade power isn't a concern as I'm setting up a small (12x20) shed shop up.

The main reason I'm lookin at the tw is the surface grinder (hard to find up here on. The cheap)
The type of knives I want to make , a surface grinder that can accurately bevel tangs and add distal tapers along with squaring up the ricasso is important to me.

That said I haven't heard of the Northridge grinder will check it out .

How much do you want to get rid of your kmg for? Lol (I know I'll need more then one grinder :)
 
Also don't know if this floats anyone's boat but last summer I did my first attempt at smelting steel and at recycling iron ( got 4 tries before my homemade smelter burnt out :)

I never did get the puck of carbon steel I was looking for :( but it was fun as heck to build and I still have a ton (literally) of iron ore laden material for future smelts when I get another one going .

Like I said thanks for all your responses
 
Foe my 2cents I think the all the grinders mentioned are fine machines and not mentioned the Bader III as well but the grinder with the best tool rest in my opinion is the TAG 101. I would suggest buying (or building) a grinder with an extra tool arm slot so it will accept a really versatile tool rest. I saw the TAG rest and built my own and it has really made it easier to perform many different jobs. Larry

w3jZx0dl.jpg
 
I've owned, and used several different machines, Harcore Products, Coote, A KMG, I sold that one. and recently purchased a Tag 101.

EXCELLENT machine and EXCELLENT Service, I had a couple of questions while putting it together and Chris Williams got right back to me and answered all of my questions and sent an extra rubber covered 2" wheel at no charge.
 
Laurence, I watched the Youtube video by Chris Williams demonstrating his grinder and it is the most versatile grinder I have seen primarily due to it's multiple tool slots, tilting horizontal, and it's articulated tool rest. I have two grinders that I use and like but if I were to buy another it would be the TAG 101. You made the right choice for sure. Larry
 
Bader BIII for me. Had one since 1997 and another since 2002.

Have a KMG that my son mostly uses now, good grinder also.
 
I've had a Bader BIII for 15 years. Use it every day in the shop.
Two years ago I got the Esteem. Pretty much the same design as the BIII but built like a tank.
The tooling is interchangeable - which I like.
I wish I had two Esteems - and I just might.
 
I recently did some comparison shopping and was trying to decide between 4 different Grinders...there's a thread "pulling te trigger on an AMK grinder". Except by the end of the thread I'd changed my mind and purchased an Esteem grinder instead. I'll take delivery in 2 more weeks or so. These are built like tanks weighing in at 160lbs and are the best bang for the buck in this price range in my opinion. It's a time proven machine that Brett Mathews has been building for years and Brett is great to work with. In searching through the forums you'll find only positive comments from those that have dealt with Brett and purchased an Esteem.
 
Karl B. Andersen said:
I've had a Bader BIII for 15 years. Use it every day in the shop.
Two years ago I got the Esteem. Pretty much the same design as the BIII but built like a tank.
The tooling is interchangeable - which I like.
I wish I had two Esteems - and I just might.
Click to expand...
Is "built like a tank" good in a grinder? Can't see where a BIII needs any beefing up...

That said, if I ever need another grinder I'll sure look at the Esteem.
 
Don Hanson III said:
Is "built like a tank" good in a grinder? Can't see where a BIII needs any beefing up...

That said, if I ever need another grinder I'll sure look at the Esteem.
Click to expand...
More mass = less vibration, all other things being equal. I'm site the B3 comes on at a respectable weight as well...anyone know off hand?
 
Don Hanson III said:
Bader BIII for me. Had one since 1997 and another since 2002.

Have a KMG that my son mostly uses now, good grinder also.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your opinions it's that long term quality I'm looking for .

In construction their is residential grade
Commercial grade
And industrial grade :) and I've learned to buy once cry once and only by cheap as a means to get the good stuff .
 
Again thank you all for the responses and keep em coming :)

Does anyone know if a surface grinder attachment can be rigged up for the tag?

PRIII.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top