Which belt grinder for <$600?

I don't know that the KMG is $500 better than the Pheer. Pheer has not been around nearly as long, and although the company appears to be doing well I don't know if they'll hold their value like a KMG or whether product support will be available in 10 years or not. You'll just have to ponder that one.

I did have a Pheer for a while and it was a very smooth, capable machine. From my experience it would be fine for a 1 grinder shop. Plus, it's issued with a NEMA 4 drive now, which is a good incentive.

As for the KMG on ebay, not exactly a yardsale price but still a few hundred off of a new one- I would expect it to work, and it does look to have been used very little. I suppose it's possible that it's a lemon electronically, but that would be between you and the seller.

You may notice that the Ebay machine has only a 1.5 hp motor, while the new KMG 10 variable at Beaumont comes standard with a 2 hp motor...
 
Soooo, it comes down to this:

Get a brand-new Pheer for $1,400
Or a newish but "ebayish" KMG for $1,600

They both have the same size motor, variable speed, a hollow grind wheel, and they both look like good companies. If you personally were going to buy one (for a one-grinder-shop), which would you get? Keeping in mind that I will be making knives mostly for my self and family, but that I might some day sell small-scale on the Forum?
 
If you were to go the route of the used KMG, I would contact the seller and make sure it worked. $1600 isn't final, it could bid up to near the buy it now price. Also keep it mind that your going to have a 2 month wait minimum when ordering a Pheer.

Whatever you choose to do, I would definitely throw in the extra money and get something better then the grizzly.
 
Good points there. I wouldn't pay more than $1600 for that KMG with new prices what they are, and as Egally says that's the starting bid with a bunch of watchers.
 
FYI: Looks like the eBay kmg is missing a tracking wheel (swapped with idler) and the flat platen.
 
RangerBobTX said:
Has anyone ever tried combining a Porter-Cable (or similar) 8" variable speed bench grinder with one of the 2x48 Multitool adapters? I think you could put it together for about $400. Looks like you would be able to run down to about 3000sfpm up to 5400sfpm. Maybe a little fast on the low end but I think that is slower than the Grizzly.

http://www.trick-tools.com/Multitool_2_x_48_inch_Belt_Grinder_Attachment_MT48 2_307#.UvUIk3n1yHs

Bob

Edit: Found a video with the 36" multitool on a Craftsman Variable speed grinder.

[video=youtube;2VsrzX2z3eo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VsrzX2z3eo[/video]
Click to expand...

Yes, I started with this and still use it nearly every day for roughing tasks. You can rotate it so the contact wheel is straight up and down then build a simple tool rest and plenum. Its not ideal but it beats hand work.
 
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