So... who has a surplus grinder?

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Kit Carson said:
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Craig, Institutional Memory is such a great thing, isn't it? ;)
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I guess that some people think that because knifemakers are usually so far apart, and of course, pretty stupid;) , that they never talk to one another by email, chat, and of course, forums, or even look in the for sale forums to see those donated knives, being sold off one at a time, eh? Not nice!!:rolleyes: :barf:
 
Well, you can get a KMG basic setup for like $650. Then go find a motor somewhere. Off an old compressor, garage sale, ebay, etc.
Use that for a while, and then upgrade to variable speed.

A cheaper option than that would be to get a Grizzly. They are priced very good, brand new, and I know some makers turning out some beautiful stuff with them.
If at all possible, though, try to save your $$ for the KMG...
 
Most of these makers barely get minimum wage. Why you trying to beg them out of a grinder? Just cause they are some of the most free giving people I've ever ran across doesn't give someone a right to take advantage of it.
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Kit, the $500 offer was a joke. Haha.

Anyway, it looks like the Microtech may be sold, which gets me extremely close to the cost of the KMG without motor and just the basic platen setup. I have a patient who owns a motor shop, but knowing this guy he'll probably charge me extra! :D

Anyway, it never hurts to just ask and find out what people have. In my experience as a chiropractor, a lot of times if you put the feelers out people start thinking "Oh, yeah, I have XYZ equipment gathering dust in the basement. I'd love to get rid of it..." so it never hurts to ask. Sorry if I offended you, Kit.
 
man....why the long wait in getting a grinder? :confused:
About 4 years ago I bought a baderIII without a variable speed controller--I thought it was the cats ass when I got it. My wife was happy that I could make a knife in 3 days, insted of a week.
Then some guy named Kit told me to **** or get off the pot , and get a V/S grinder..and that it would make a world of difference to the quality of what I'm making. My KMG came last week ( now I gotta figure out how to wire the damn thing)
I don't know many people on the forum, but I do know Kit. If he gives you advise on something, you better run with it as fast as you can.

Sean
 
man....why the long wait in getting a grinder?
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When I first started out I was in college. 6 figure student loans, so I know how to scrimp! I made a few knives with files, and it's not totally unenjoyable that way, but as I get busier in my office it takes me longer and longer to make knives. So, it takes a very long time to develop ideas I have, and even though I can sell or trade what I make for decent $$$ it still takes forever. But, between student loans, owning my own practice and home life I just don't have disposable income for a grinder, although I'm getting close...
 
Anybody seen or used the belt sander available at TKS? They call it the "D-5010 BELT SANDER" 2.5"X48" belt. Seems pretty solid. Would this be useful for a newbie who just wants to make some blades for friends and family, and wants to ease up on the hacksaw/file approach?
 
Hey Chiro75, I just got my KMG in a couple of days ago and am ready to wire it soon not to mention to put all the things I've been learning here on the forums to the test. I still have to get some belts and steel but if you're willing to teach a newbie and drive up here, I'd be more than happy to supply the grinder. Let me know, we could make a day of it.
Shaun
 
USA1 said:
Hey Chiro75, I just got my KMG in a couple of days ago and am ready to wire it soon not to mention to put all the things I've been learning here on the forums to the test. I still have to get some belts and steel but if you're willing to teach a newbie and drive up here, I'd be more than happy to supply the grinder. Let me know, we could make a day of it.
Shaun
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Don't read anything into this but someone that has never had a grinder is not gonna be able to teach you how to grind.

There are some really good makers in your area. There is one heck of a "Scagel hammer-in" up there every year in Ravena, Michigan. It would be worth your while to check it out. I believe a fella named Mike Bauer put it on last year at the end of September/beginning of October. If you need any information, shoot me an email or do a google search for "scagel hammer". You can get there from there.

Craig
 
C L Wilkins said:
Don't read anything into this but someone that has never had a grinder is not gonna be able to teach you how to grind.

There are some really good makers in your area. There is one heck of a "Scagel hammer-in" up there every year in Ravena, Michigan. It would be worth your while to check it out. I believe a fella named Mike Bauer put it on last year at the end of September/beginning of October. If you need any information, shoot me an email or do a google search for "scagel hammer". You can get there from there.

Craig
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I'm not 100% sure, but I think the Scagel hammer-in has gone the way of the dinosaur.
Chiro75, email me and I'll give you some info you might need.
sshepherd20@frontiernet.net

Sean
 
Maquahuitl said:
Anybody seen or used the belt sander available at TKS? They call it the "D-5010 BELT SANDER" 2.5"X48" belt. Seems pretty solid. Would this be useful for a newbie who just wants to make some blades for friends and family, and wants to ease up on the hacksaw/file approach?
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In fact, this was the machine that I started on - like in 1988 or something - and I still use it often. I have three issues with it: It's underpowered by a major margin; the contact wheel is very close to the motor on the left side so grinding there can be trying; and the felt contact wheel wears very quickly. I've never changed mine, and the rather soft durometer does have its uses, but I'd recommend the rubber wheel if you're set on this machine. I also added a very shallow U-channel beam on top of the included platten to give it a decent shoulder to grind against. The one on the machine has about a quarter inch radius that makes for, in my opinion, too round a plunge. Most of my grinding on the machine has been flat grinding on my improved platen. It takes some patience but the machine was a good deal for me.

However! The Grizley (however the heck that's spelled) was not available back then, and had I had the option I think that might have been a better choice. You really do want to use 72 inch belts, they're far cheaper per inch and there's a far greater variety of them.
 
C L Wilkins said:
Don't read anything into this but someone that has never had a grinder is not gonna be able to teach you how to grind.

There are some really good makers in your area. There is one heck of a "Scagel hammer-in" up there every year in Ravena, Michigan. It would be worth your while to check it out. I believe a fella named Mike Bauer put it on last year at the end of September/beginning of October. If you need any information, shoot me an email or do a google search for "scagel hammer". You can get there from there.

Craig
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Yeah, maybe I worded that wrong, but I just wanted to make what I have available (grinder) to someone with any knowledge that someone would like to share. Anything is better than nothing. And the offer is open to anyone intested in getting together, expert or newbie alike! About the hammer-in, it's cancelled as of right now (which is normally held in the middle of August) but I guess a few different people are going to try to make it happen again. If I find anything else out about I'll keep you posted.
 
Hey Chiro75, I just got my KMG in a couple of days ago and am ready to wire it soon not to mention to put all the things I've been learning here on the forums to the test. I still have to get some belts and steel but if you're willing to teach a newbie and drive up here, I'd be more than happy to supply the grinder. Let me know, we could make a day of it.
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I can teach you how to use files, but now that you got a fancy schmancy grinder that's sort of worthless information, you know? ;)
 
Well, I look at it like this....Were both new to the grinder and maybe untill you get one you would like to hook up and give it a spin and see what we can come up with. I put all I had into the grinder and as time goes on I will buy everything else that I need. I thought it might be appealing since we live rather close to each other. If not, maybe some day in the future well meet.
 
Shoot. According to Grizzly, I could get that grinder with the 10" contact wheel for $478 shipped. I just sold a knife for a bit above that, so I'd have a few bucks left over. Is that grinder decent? I'm sure I've heard lots of comments about it so I'll do a search...
 
Lurk Ebay, search for "abrasive belt", "belt grinder", "belt sander"...

I picked up a "no/name 2"x50" belt grinder + 3/4 hp motor for $61.00 + $17.00 shipping. Also picked up a brand new 1.5hp balidor single phase motor (TEFC) for $71.00 shipped! (i think the cheapest I have seen one of these puppies was $185). Had to replace two bearings in the grinder ($10.00). Then I built a heavy table from scrap lumber I had laying around, bought a 3-step pulley from Surplus center for $5.00 plus shipping. I modified the grinder to run either 2x60" belts (I got a DEAL on 20 Norton 40grit norax <sp> belts in 2x60" for $21.00 including shipping on Ebay) or 2x72" belts. I cobbled up a motor mount out of plywood spent about $20.00 for a belt, some bolts and hardware...VIOLA...a nifty grinder for WAY less than $250.00!!! :D

I am going to add a ceramic platen liner from Darren Ellis (fellow TN boy...gotta support the homies!) which will set me back another $20-30 with shipping. This puppy has a 2" x 10" platen...

You CAN get some really good deals on Ebay if you shop right!

Mike Roesch
Vol Knives
Chattanooga, TN
 
Hey Tarl,
Could you give me Surplus Centers website? I had it saved, but lost it. Is it surpluscenter.com? I'm off to check now. If not, could you post the website for me? Thanks bud!
 
Chiro75 said:
Is that grinder decent?
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You get what you pay for.

Spend a little more and get variable speed KMG/Bader/Square Wheel etc. It will cost you less later. Good tools don't cost more, they save you time and improve your knives.

I have a variable speed KMG. I started with a constant speed 1750RPM motor. The difference is night and day.
 
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