What do you think of tilting/horizontal grinders?

[whiskyrookie]

I've seen some new grinders from Black Fox, OBM and Vashti that are vertical but can also title to horizontal mode as well.

Seems handy, but how often would you use something like this? I'm assuming its helpful for blade profiling when using smaller wheels to get into tight spots or with some handle work.

Trying to figure out whether to fork out the extra bucks to get these ones that tilt.

Whaddyathink?

 

[AVigil]

I never needed one while making fixed blades.

I would love one for making folders.

One day my grinder will go horizontal after some tinkering

 

[N.W. Gean]

I've been using a work rest mounted vertically so I can grind things horizontally. Have to contort into some strange stances to make it work.

I only make fixed blades, and would love to have a horizontal grinder!

 

[Scaniaman]

I couldn't live without it. Well maybe.
But it is so excellent for profiling, controlled small wheel work and handle shaping (contours/palm swells) with a 10" wheel. I use horizontal mode all the time.

 

[Storm W]

I want one so bad for making kitchen knives and getting a nice vertical machine finish.

 

[whiskyrookie]

I've been using a work rest mounted vertically so I can grind things horizontally. Have to contort into some strange stances to make it work.

I only make fixed blades, and would love to have a horizontal grinder!

Knowing how clumsy I am, I'm sure I'd end up mucking up a blade or two this way or even injuring myself LOL

 

[whiskyrookie]

I couldn't live without it. Well maybe.
But it is so excellent for profiling, controlled small wheel work and handle shaping (contours/palm swells) with a 10" wheel. I use horizontal mode all the time.

What brand grinder did you get that tilts? Or is it DIY?

 

[Drew Riley]

Better to have and not need than need and not have. Personally, I tilt my grinder all the time.

 

[Scaniaman]

What brand grinder did you get that tilts? Or is it DIY?

Well a dude built it for me, so kind of inbetween. I had a lot fixing to do on it and business was a bitch so I am not gonna recomend it/him. But definetly go for horizontal!

 

[Josh Rider]

I tilt on almost every knife. That’s an astounding 12 times a year. Even that small amount I would prefer a dedicated horizontal.

 

[i4Marc]

I have the TW-90 and use the tilt all the time. Definitely useful for the way I work.

 

[Mark van Elteren]

I will be building a tilting grinder a soon as I can afford to (current grinder is vertical only, I have designed the tilting version already). It will be used most for machine finishing (or almost finishing) of handle profiles. I think it only makes sense if you have a work table that also works horizontally, and the grinder is fast to switch between positions.

 

[Scaniaman]

I use the work table horizontally only when profiling. Come to think of it, this is the only time I actually use a work table.

 

[argel55]

Not only for folders, but becomes almost an ultimate machine with surface grinding attachment.

 

[ChristoDart]

I tilt mine often when shaping/cleaning up profiles on longer knives. I have an esteem grinder.

 

[William Schrade]

Worth the investment.

 

[Storm W]

I tilt mine often when shaping/cleaning up profiles on longer knives. I have an esteem grinder.

I have one too. Do you have a rest and everything that makes it nice to use horizontally or is it just a hinge that flops it over? How is it to use horizontally?

 

[Kali4nia]

I use the Northridge tool grinder with tilt mount pretty often. I make folders, it helps me with profiling

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Next to VFD tilting is the second best improvement. I don't use it every day, bt when I use it it is really useful.

 

[Mike Read]

I have a dedicated horizontal grinder and use it more than the vertical.

In fact I only use the vertical for grinding bevels and rough profiling, everything else is on the horizontal.