Surface Grinder attachment for KMG

Robert Erickson

Robert Erickson

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Feb 2, 2014
Messages
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Do any of you guys with a KMG have the surface grinder attachment from Travis Wuertz? There was a post last July regarding this but no one at the time seemed to have used it. I really want to get a surface grinder but have no space for one and can't justify the cost of a dedicated unit. currently I use my flat platen and vertical grinding to try and flatten my blades which gets them reasonably flat but not necessarily parallel.
 
I use a similar piece of kit to the Wuertz on a Wilmont Tag , it is quick and accurate and also very handy for tapered tangs and distal tapers.
The only draw back is the overall length of the surface grind is limited to about 16".
A typical 10" profiled blank takes around 30 minutes to surface grind and taper the tang.
 
AussieBosun said:
I use a similar piece of kit to the Wuertz on a Wilmont Tag , it is quick and accurate and also very handy for tapered tangs and distal tapers.
The only draw back is the overall length of the surface grind is limited to about 16".
A typical 10" profiled blank takes around 30 minutes to surface grind and taper the tang.
Click to expand...
What diameter wheel do you use and what grit belt?
 
5 x 2 1/2" wheel , belts depend on the surface quality of the steel you need to grind but normally 80 , 150 , 240 pre heat treat , after heat treat you can clean up to any desired grit , i'll normally finish with an a16 trizac on one side then flip the blade over but adding a piece of telephone book paper between it and the chuck to prevent scratches then repeat the process , in case your wondering , heat is not generally an issue after heat treat if you do light passes and lower the speed for the higher grit belts, the magnetic chuck also acts as a heat sink.
 
I just got the Wuertz surface grinder attachment. I bought the longer one. I have only flattened and tapered one blade so far. I put the feeler gauge at .058 for the first test so the taper is slight but will set it at .070 next time which is the amount of taper over six inches. Here are 3 photos. Larry
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Saw one in action. Was very slick. Very fast and accurate. Not sure what they cost now but for a small shop it is nice to have a SG but no extra room needed for a piece of equipment.
 
Where is the link to this thing. This is the first I have heard of it and I think I want one!
 
Larry it looks like you're enjoying it so far! Nice work! Mr Richards did you see it on a KMG or TW90? It looks like the only difference is the orientation. The videos on his website are impressive.
 
On a KMG. It is not as convenient on a KMG as it is on the TW90 but still works just as well. Just have to pull it up toward you rather than horizontally.
 
Funny, I just posted a thread on mines. I only used it to surface grind my blanks so far. Got it on Wednesday, and have surface ground 14 blanks since then. Planning to do tapering sometime soon.

Pricey, but great tool. Well made and designed. Saves space for sure. Definitely cheaper than buying a brand new dedicated surface grinder, then convert it. I got the 13'' mag table for mines.
 
Hi Mob and Larry,I know this is an older thread but, how are you guys liking your TW surface grinders for the KMG? I'm getting close to pulling the trigger on one.
 
rcetroy said:
Do any of you guys with a KMG have the surface grinder attachment from Travis Wuertz? There was a post last July regarding this but no one at the time seemed to have used it. I really want to get a surface grinder but have no space for one and can't justify the cost of a dedicated unit. currently I use my flat platen and vertical grinding to try and flatten my blades which gets them reasonably flat but not necessarily parallel.
Click to expand...

FWIW, I bought a dedicated unit AND converted it to belts for about 1/2 the price of what Travis is asking for his attachment. For $1600 you can buy a nice dedicated machine on the used market all day long, and you'll likely have a 6x12 or a 6x18 table to boot.

Now, I did already have a compatible VFD, which would have otherwise added $200 to the cost.

All that being said, there is something to say about the simplicity and footprint (or lack thereof) of Travis' attachment. If you don't have the space, it's definitely a great option to consider.
 
AussieBosun said:
I use a similar piece of kit to the Wuertz on a Wilmont Tag , it is quick and accurate and also very handy for tapered tangs and distal tapers.
The only draw back is the overall length of the surface grind is limited to about 16".
A typical 10" profiled blank takes around 30 minutes to surface grind and taper the tang.
Click to expand...

Where did you get your attachment?
 
knife to a gunfight said:
FWIW, I bought a dedicated unit AND converted it to belts for about 1/2 the price of what Travis is asking for his attachment. For $1600 you can buy a nice dedicated machine on the used market all day long, and you'll likely have a 6x12 or a 6x18 table to boot.

Now, I did already have a compatible VFD, which would have otherwise added $200 to the cost.

All that being said, there is something to say about the simplicity and footprint (or lack thereof) of Travis' attachment. If you don't have the space, it's definitely a great option to consider.
Click to expand...

I ended up pulling the trigger on the Wuertz SGA. I just don't have any space for a dedicated unit. It's well made and has worked well for getting blades squared up and flat. I've tapered a few tangs with it and it's quick and easy. What kind of surface grinder did you get? Most of the units I saw were really expensive and really large.
 
rcetroy said:
I ended up pulling the trigger on the Wuertz SGA. I just don't have any space for a dedicated unit. It's well made and has worked well for getting blades squared up and flat. I've tapered a few tangs with it and it's quick and easy. What kind of surface grinder did you get? Most of the units I saw were really expensive and really large.
Click to expand...

I found a used Reid 618p for a good price. I won't say it's small, but it's not terribly large. Foot print on the base is maybe 30" x 30" or less. Granted, the table and spindle motor require a little extra clearance for the backs and sides.

One thing I will say: it takes a lot more to make a dedicated surface grinder run right than it does for the SG attachment. Many more moving parts, lube points, adjustments, leveling, etc...

But it's also nice to set 6 blades on the table, pull a lever, flip a switch, and go do something else for a couple minutes.
 
Thanks guys, my problem is I'm completely tapped out for room.RC how much maintenance(cleaning)is there on the TW? Could you grind say 3-4 blades before you had to clean it. The slotted magnetic table seems like it could be a pain.Thanks. Lu.
 
Lu1967 said:
Thanks guys, my problem is I'm completely tapped out for room.RC how much maintenance(cleaning)is there on the TW? Could you grind say 3-4 blades before you had to clean it. The slotted magnetic table seems like it could be a pain.Thanks. Lu.
Click to expand...
The slotted table does require some cleaning. I use a 1/4" brass rod to push the metal shavings off after I grind a few blades. It depends on how much I take off and the size of the blade as to how many I can grind before cleaning. It doesn't seem like it's a real pain to me but I've never used a dedicated surface grinder so I don't know how it compares in terms of cleaning hassle. I would imagine there is cleaning with those as well? I can still make pretty short work of the blades so far but I'm a part timer and I don't do a huge volume of blades.
 
Thanks for the heads up Robert.I'm really glad to hear that,I'm going to order one up. Lu.
 
Hey guys quick question... Anyone know if Travis' sg attachment for the KMG will work on the TAG since they both offer the standard 1.5" tool arms?
 
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