What's the verdict on the MAP Arm?

[John L]

Now that the arms have been out for a couple months, how do people like them and are they using them in any particular ways that they had not thought of before receiving them. I am just curious. Am going to install mine today. Thanks

 

[SAR]

John, it may be a tool somewhat common to many but to many its uses are very specialized in accordance with how one builds his knives. I have 2 MAP arms and use them daily, the flexibility to do anything on any KMG attachment makes the MAP a great asset, one thing I can say my swedges have never been better. I use a large square block of micarta to make sure things are always squared up.

Its one of those tools you could easy say "dam this thing sucks its to hard to get it set" (I am quoting myself but I started using it everyday, and like all tools you find out how it works, the little qirks all are tools seem to have and how it best integrates into the knives you build.

I have made a few modifications to my table, and replace a few bolts but its a solid tool

Good luck and enjoy
Spencer

 

[STR]

I bought a set of those quick ratchet type wrenches from Sears. http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_...=Wrenches&psid=FROOGLE&sid=KDx20070926x00003a

Not this five piece set but a bigger one and have found that using these with my pitch angle locator the table is something hard to go without. I use it for several things and will agree at first it was hard to set to the right place and took some getting used to.

Perhaps in an ideal world it would have quick connects and a built in dial to show the pitch angle but you know I really can't complain about that at all. The thing is built so well and certainly commensurate with the KMG as a whole. Most guys see it and think it came with the KMG I think. Well, the ones that don't know I mean.

Its so nice I feel bad for the kind of hard time I gave Mike about the paper work he made all of us sign. In hind sight I wish I had not done that now because now I see it was just covering his own behind and nothing at all to worry with.

I had to replace a bolster on a folder a while back and the table made not only doing the dovetail easy but finding the right angle was done without having to even get my locator out. I've used it exclusively for doing my lock contacts on my frame locks and love it for that also.

STR

 

[fitzo]

I had mentioned when Michael asked me to give my first impressions here that it would take a little while to get used to, but that once you did you'd find many uses for it!! I'm very glad to hear your comments.

STR, I'm glad you got past the waiver. A lot of that is my fault. My initial recommendation to Michael was to not offer it for sale at all so there were no liability issues. I'm glad he decided to go the waiver route.

I use my MAP nearly constantly on my KMG. I'm not so steady grinding anymore and it has allowed me to find new ways to accomplish tasks that have become more difficult. I use it for swedges. I use it to set the first hollow on bevels before i switch to freehand. It is my vertical version of a horizontal grinder for small wheel whork and dressing profiles. I use it all the time. I like it so much that I am considering selling off my old Bader2 next year so I can buy another KMG chassis and MAP arm because I find myself missing that arm when I use the Bader.

Thanks, Michael. Great device.

 

[adammichael]

Thanks for the comments.

Spencer, Could you post some picks of the mods you made?

STR, That WAS you that was giving me a hard time, wasnt it? I forgot about that.

Michael, I am always interested in your feedback or any ideas that you might have. It gives me an excuse to come down and visit you and Nancy.

I am currently selling the second run of the MAP Arms and all tho the price is $430 now because of increased prices from my vendor, I think it is still a good deal for what it can do. I would be very interested in any modification or enhancements that any of you did.
I realize the true value of a tool is its ability to adjust to the way you work. I hope everyone is happy with there MAP Arm and I wish all of you a Merry Christmas

Thanks
Michael
www.AdamMichaelKnives.com

 

[STR]

STR, That WAS you that was giving me a hard time, wasnt it? I forgot about that.

Yeah a little bit.

Sorry for that. I just was not sure what to make of all of it at the time.

Merry Christmas Mike. Actually to all you guys.

STR

 

[Alpha Knife Supply]

The arm works very well for us. When we get another KMG we will also buy another MAP arm.

 

[adammichael]

I hear alot of people bringing up the pitch angle and the reason I didnt put an angle on the MAP ARM is because the angle is also going to be dependant on the angle that the flat platten is set. What I do is use the angle finder to set the flat platten perpendicular to the floor and then stick the angle finder on the table when I am adjusting it. I dont know if that made sense but I would be interested in knowing how you guys set the table angle.

Michael

 

[adammichael]

Yeah a little bit.

Sorry for that. I just was not sure what to make of all of it at the time.

Merry Christmas Mike. Actually to all you guys.

STR

Nothing to apologize for, you were protecting your interests just like I was.

Im glad your happy with it.