What has happened to "Burrking"?

G

Geoff Wood

Joined
Aug 7, 2000
Messages
9
Thanks to advice from forum members, I have narrowed down my choice of Belt Grinder to either Burrking Model 960 1.5 hp variable or Bader B3 (same spec) I have checked several knifemaker supplies catalogues and found Burrking to be absent. I see that Burrking have a Website. Why don't the suppliers stock this item any more? Am I taking a risk? Any advice will be welcome.
 
The Burr King Variable 960 is (IMHO) one of the best grinders produced for knifemaking.

However, John at Tru-Grit (where I bought mine 5 years ago) recently told me there is a pending law-suit against Burr-King and Tru-Grit by a guy that hurt himself grinding a blade.

It's too bad that the knifemaking community is being hit with something so shallow and petty as this, but that's the way the world is turning lately.

You're not likely to find someone willing to sell theirs due to being unhappy, so you're best off with your other choice.

I also believe the HardCore grinder to be very similar to the Burr-King. Also, Bob Dozier's grinder is really trick with air pressure supplying the belt tension.

My two-bits.
Nick
 
I like my Burr King so much I would never sell it. I bought new Burr King parts from Tru-Grit just last week to add to my own home made grinder. Did you check with Burr King directly? You are not taking a risk with the BK. It will never break down. If you have the bucks buy the Hard Core Variable Speed. Its Awsome! Bruce
 
burr king grinders are a small company that belongs to a much bigger company...and when the lawsuit came down they stopped making the 960....probably just because they were pissed and those grinders dont make much money for them in the larger scheme of things. they are good....but the hard core is better...better built, better designed, and better accessories...however it costs more...but not a lot......IMNSHO get a hard core. http://www.trugrit.com/

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http://www.mayoknives.com




[This message has been edited by tom mayo (edited 09-18-2000).]
 
I have talked to John about this BS lawsuit, and it just goes to show that ANY company that makes ANYTHING that could possibly hurt ANYONE will come under attack by Trial lawyers!!!! We have seen it all over, and it will continue to happen.. Look for Car Companies, Fast Food joints, and many others to come under the same fire Tobacco and Firearms Companies have already been subjected too...
Some Fargin Somonobatch catches a blade in the gut because he is too dumb to live, and Burr King grinders are a thing of the past!!!
I hope they get around to banning 5 gallon buckets since more CHILDREN are killed by them than guns!!!(Check it out)..
I HOPE SOME people are watching this, it wont be long till Knife makers are JUST as dangerous as "Gun Makers" Think this is a joke? Ask some gun makers, or anyone that has made ANYTHING that could HURT you...

Take Care
Trace Rinaldi
 
I have a Hard Core and probably would have bought a Burr King if they had been available. In hindsight, I am now glad that the Burr King 960 wasn't available, I REALLY like this grinder! Smooth and tracks like nobody's business. The cheapest belts line right out. At the time, it was only $25 more than a Bader III and this was with a 10" wheel.

By the way, variable speed is the ONLY way to go. It may seem like an awful lot of money now but it is worth it. Just to be able to not burn handle material any more is the worth the extra money.

[This message has been edited by C L Wilkins (edited 09-19-2000).]
 
Hello there, I have been thinking about buying a belt grinder myself. I have never seen any of the grinder in person so, any questions you could answer for me would be much appreciated.

I understand that all major parts of the Hardcore grinder is made from aluminum (OK, OK, high grade aircraft aluminum or what ever). My question is how durable can this machine be if it is made of aluminum? Will the screws stripped the alluminum parts in time, not to mention all the other short coming associated with the used of this material? The Hardcore grinder look just like the Burr King so, what are the differences?

Question number two, will Burr King continue to offer Parts for the 960 and if so, does anyone know for how much longer? Would it be worth the time to try to track down a Burr King?

Last question, I was told by some people that the Bader machine does not track the belt as well and tend to slip and overall does not run as smooth as the above mentioned machines. Is there truth to this?

Much thanks to all that has taken the time to read this post.

Shay
 
<< I was told by some people that the Bader machine does not track the belt as well and tend to slip and overall does not run as smooth as the above mentioned machines. >>

I have a Bader III, 2hp variable speed. Tracks great, runs smooth, and seems to have no slip. Since I haven't used the other machines mentioned, I can't compare the Bader with them, but I'm happy with my Bader.
 
Although the Hard Core is the same basic design as the Burr King (two wheel, one contact, one idler, the 2X72 belt is driven by the contact wheel) it is not a "clone" Burr King. One thing that the Burr King has/had is a flat platen assembly installed between the two wheels. A Hard Core does not. A Hard Core has an accessory flat platen assembly that mounts in place of the contact wheel.

Aluminum? Yeah, the pivot arm is machined from some sort of an aluminum alloy. Soda cans are aluminum, so are the platters on your hard drive in your PC. What grade or variety of aluminum alloy is the Hard Core made from? You may want to shoot an email to
them. Their website is http://www.hardcore-products.com/ As far as aluminum goes, have you taken a look at Cannondale's new motocross bike at http://www.cannondale.com ?
I don't know what aluminum alloy it is made from but their frame is made from aluminum and it is strong.

Metallurgy has come a long way. How many motorcycle engines are NOT made from an aluminum alloy these days??? Remember that aluminum is very rigid. This could be the reason but send them an email and let us know what they say.

You can still get Burr King parts. The company is still sound but it just takes one incident and sometimes it isn't worth it to produce a particular machine any longer. As they say back home: "Sometimes the egg ain't worth the wear and tear on a hen's butt."

C L Wilkins
 
Well, I guess I can put two more bits in here...
wink.gif


The HardCore grinder was designed with CAD (computer aided drafting) and then machined from a solid block of 6061 aluminum with CAM (computer aided machining).

This is a hell of a process that anybody in either Engineering or Fabrication can attest to.

You get very exact tolerances.

6061 is the aluminum that is touted as "air-craft aluminum." It is tough. I built the skid plates on my four-wheeler out of 1/4" 6061 because it's DURABLE.

The alternative material would most likely be cast iron or the thin sheet metal crap that most companies are producing presently.

I LOVE my 960 variable, but with the current situation, I would get the HardCore.

Oh by the way, Burr King is a huge company that has long been a part of the grinding/de-burring industry. They still have a whole line of grinders and tumblers, but nothing geared toward knifemaking INTENTIONALLY (as was the 960 series).

My grinder is the center of my shop, so I feel the heavy price-tag for a quality grinder is quickly paid off. You will NOT regret forking over the cash for variable speed...

Nick
 
Burr King still makes the 1272 model ( I believe this is the right model number). This is the machine in the Loveless video, it uses 2"X 72" belts, don't have any personal experience with it, but it looks like an excellent machine. The only draw-back the thing cost around $3500 to $4000.00 bucks, not sure on the correct amount.
 
I would like to say thank you to all of you that have responded. The info. is very helpful. I emailed Hard Core Product Co. Three days ago and still have not received any reply. I will try again later. I will post info. if I received anything interesting from them.

Not too many hardcore(sorry about the pun) defender of Bader, hey? curious.

Planes may be built from aluminum cans but they still crash don't they? Ha, Ha, just kidding, thanks for the info C.L.W.
biggrin.gif
 
i guess most of us who own Baders don't feel they need any defending. I own a B2 and a B3 and they both run smoothly and track beaufifully. What more can be said.

Marcel
 
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