To Bader or KMG?

blgoode

blgoode

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 3, 2003
Messages
7,145
I am thinking of getting a new grinder in the next year or so.....

I am leaning twarsd the KMG-PL with a small wheel attachment.

Is this better than the Bader set ups?

Any opinions are great............
 
I don't think either is a bad choice. The Bader 3 was designed by (I think) Gerorge Herron. It overcame the problems of Bader 2's.

I have a Bader 2 and a KMG. The choice bewteen those is far more obvious. The KMG is a fine machine and I have a lot of attachments for it, though not the small-wheel. It tracks like a dream, and runs very smooth. If I have one complaint about it, it's the fact that with the 14" contact wheel or platen, the geometry is such that it seems to retain a lot of the grinding grit all the way around and slings it in my face. I haven't figured out exactly why, yet. I'm considering putting some kind of "belt wiper" in the back, but don't know what would last even briefly. I suppose a face shield is the obvious answer here. :)

Personally, I think the difference will come down mostly to price and the cost of the options you will choose. One good thing about the KMG is that you have very many motor options by not hooking it up direct-drive. I CAN tell you this, you will not find a better person than Rob Frink to deal with, and you will speak with the guy who designs and makes them if you have an issue.

My $.02
 
One good thing about the KMG is that you have very many motor options by not hooking it up direct-drive.

What do you mean by this Fitzo?

I was just going to get a 1.5 hp motor from a tractor supply place down the road........is this the wrong idea for a motor?
 
oh.....as far as cost. they seem about the same....am I off about this too?

I was thinking KMG-pl (about 7 hundred) with small wheel attachment and wheels and motor may be around $1200

The badors run about $1300 right....

I suck at math ;)
 
You can buy Rob's machine w/o motor, but the last I checked the Baders came with motors, and they are attached to the grinder.

My KMG-1 did not come with a motor. This allows you to buy whatever motor you want. You can buy a cheap piece of crap to get up and running and put in a more sophisticated setup later on as money allows. You can set it up with pulleys as this foto of mine indicates.

Don't get me wrong about the "cheap" motors, either. Some of them are true junk, and won't last. Some of the guys here have set themselves up with inexpensive motors, however, and they are running great.

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You're welcome, Brian.

I'm happy to try and answer any question I can about the KMG. It's a good machine, you won't go wrong buying one.
 
I have two Bader B lll's and like them very much. I bought the first one about 6 or 7 years ago when they first came out, I got the second one around 3 years ago. They are both veriable speed (highly recomended) I 1/2 hp. They are smooth, track good and easy to change from one attachment to another.
I have not used a KMG, but they sure look good and I've only heard good about them. Though decision :confused:

Don Hanson
 
what are the most used small wheels?

I am guessing 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1.5", 2"

Can either the Bador or kmg be set up for flat grinding and have an 8" wheel or 6" wheel on at the same time?

Then change the platen to the small wheel set up?
 
I have most wheels from 1/2" to 14". they all have found use.

I have never heard of a platen with a wheel that large. Frink could maybe design something.
 
The best thing I have found is to buy a couple of extra tooling arms. That way you can set up a couple of your favorite configurations and just swap the arms as needed. It doesn't get any simpler than that for switching off setups. The other thing to remember is that Rob is constantly working on new tooling options for the KMG which is really nice and shows his dedication to the community.
 
I have a B III that I bought about 4 years ago. Set up with the tooling and rests, and 1.5 hp variable speed it cost about $2000. The same setup from Rob is about $1700 and his rests are far and away better than the little crap that came with my B III. There is no doubt my next machine will be a KMG.

Edited to add: Don't mess around with a weenie 1.5 hp - get at least 2 hp. I never thought I'd lug my motor but tapering tangs it's easy to kill it.
 
I sure like my KMG, I'm running it with a VS 2 HP 3 ph motor, but with 220 single into the controller, works great. Now I'm worrying myself sick as to whether or not I want to spring for the fancy roller/belt platen gizmo. I like convex grinds, and I hear it's tops for that, but the attachement is big $$$. What Peter said about the tooling arms is right, buy one for each attachment if you can. Some guys have even made extra arms from 1.5 x 1.5 sq. thick-walled tubing. I have a long bar of aluminum that I'm going to make some from, the steel ones are really heavy. Another thing to think about is extra tool rests, I don't like changing those from one arm to another. I've never used the Bader, but I'm sure either machine will work great for you. And, as has already been said, Rob Frink is nice to work with, makes the purchase very comfortable.
 
what do you use the tool rest for the most? I have been freehand grinding up to this point.....I am grinding a 8.25" chefs blade from 5/32" 0-1 and its making my lil' craftsman ginder wish it were any other tool but my grinder.

But at least I am getting the feel for what CAN be done even if I may burn up my craftsman ;)
 
Brian, if you are learning freehand, stick with freehand!

I put a workrest on my flat platen at times simply to lay heavier steel, damascus "bars-in-progress", and such, but have always ground blades freehand. In the long run it offers you more freedom for complex grinds, IMO.

Just my $.02, others will feel much different.
 
go with the KMG, very versatile, simple machine.... you can get a motor and a speed control anywhere, i got both off of ebay.... a really nice leeson 1HP dc motor brand new for $93.00 with shipping.... and i also got a really nice KB speed control, almost brand new for $78.00 with shipping, all i needed to do was the wiring, but like fitzo said the cheap motors are cheap. but now and then you can find a good one for a low price on ebay. good luck
 
What more can we say about a KMG? It's awesome!

rhrocker - I feel your pain! I'm sure it's worth it 110% - Greg C. swears by it for convex grinds - but I haven't been able to part with the $$ just yet....:(
 
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