Which Belt Grinder?

Rick Baum

Rick Baum

Joined
Mar 14, 2000
Messages
509
Hi all, I'm looking for a suggestion. If a person could only afford 1 belt grinder, which one should he/she start with? I have a $1500.00 spending allowance and am considering a variable speed Bader B III. I have finally saved the money after 2 years of doing it the hard way and I don't want to regret my choice. Thanks for the help.
 
Baumr,

I have looked at the Bader III also and I think it would be a good machine. I have had a Wilton Square wheel for about ten years now and I have no complaints with it at all. It has been a good dependable machine. Whichever machine you pick to go with I would make sure you get it in variable speed, it is so much nicer for finishing. Also go with a smooth contact wheel also better for finishing. Hope this helps.


 
Your mention of a BaderIII of a choice is an excellent one. The Bader is a fine machine.

Only problem is that for the $1500 that you have you can't get what you want.

The BIII with a 1HP variable cost $1460 plus shipping, with a 1/12HP variable $1490 plus shipping. If you are spending that much money on a top quality grinder, then you would definitely want to go all the way and get the 2HP variable at a cost of $1715 plus shipping.

The 2HP on my BII is an ANIMAL. It will never bind up and will rip your arm out of it's socket before it will stop turning (just to give you an idea of the power
smile.gif
).

These costs include a 8" contact wheel, fork arm with 1 wheel, and drive pulleys. You still have to consider costs of a platen for flat grinding (if needed), work rests, other size contact wheels, 2x72 belts, etc.

A guy I know just got a BIII, and set up with a bunch of needed extras it cost over 2K.

Sorry if I scared ya', but I figured it would be better to find out ahead of time.

------------------
C.O.'s-"It takes balls to work behind the walls "
 
Baumr,

Jailhack said it well. I have posted about my praise for the Bader BIII often. The machine is ultra user friendly and easy to quick change attachments on. Contact Dan Johnson at Bader and let him know where you are at. He can tell you what you need, and give you a price for the accessories you want.

Dan, and his right-hand men, Doug Delurey and Paul Champagne, are the most helpful people you will ever do business with. Their service is better than any company I have ever dealt with. They also have a full supply of accessories and belts to keep you grinding.

You won't be sorry with a purchase from them.

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Chris Hatin

http://www.hatintec.com

"Are you ready for the defendant, Judge?"
"Yup. Bring the guilty bastard in."

[This message has been edited by Chris Hatin (edited 03-15-2000).]
 
I agree with Chris and Jailhack. I have had my BIII for over a month and I couldn't ask for a better machine or better people to deal with. I ordered mine with 10" wheel and all work rests and a platen but did not opt for the variable speed. I now wish I had gotten the variable speed although it is easy to change the size of the drive wheel, it is time lost. But overall I have nothing but praise for the Bader. I agree with Jailhack the 2 h.p. motor will not slow down for anything.

Marcel

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You might want to consider to have one buildt. I buildt this one together with my brother who is an machineengineer. Materials costed 600$. Its set up with a 2 speed motor 3.5/4 HP. If you have freinds who could help you with it its not bad. It took us two 12 hour working days(a busy busy weekend).
grinder1.jpg


------------------
Jens Anso, ansoknives@hotmail.com
(check out my homepage)
home6.inet.tele.dk/ansoe/ansoknives


 
Thanks for all the suggestions!! It looks like I'm on the right track. By the way Chris, the Quote at the end of your reply sounds really familiar. Is it from "The Life and times of Judge Roy Bean"? If not it should have been.

Rick
 
Folks,
Fifteen hundred bucks is a lot of money. Have any of you folks ever had anything other than a Bader? The only suggestion I have when you invest that much in a piece of equipment is to ask other folks what they use and why. Along those same lines, ask if they have had more than one grinder and if so, which one they liked the best and why.

As Jailhack stated in his post, he likes the 2 HP motor and the reasons why. Stuff like that is always good information. Some folks may not need 2 HP, others, due to various reasons, can't do without it.

Don't get me wrong by this post. I am not trying to confuse the issue, I am just trying to provide some food for thought.

The ONLY suggestion I may have in this area is to make sure that you do get variable speed. It makes all the difference in the world.

C Wilkins
 
I'd go with the Bader. As to HP, I have found the 1.5 HP to be plenty. I probably grind as many blades as anyone, and, over the years I have found that it is actually faster to grind more slowly, with more control, than to try to lean into it and go fast.
I used to run belts at about 7000SFM-now I seldom run faster than 4000SFM. My grinding is better, heat buildup a lot less, and, belt life is much longer.
I'd get the 1.5 HP Variable with a 5 or 6" drive wheel. I use the 5" myself.

Enjoy your new toy!

RJ Martin
 
I have an original bader, never seen a bader 3, but because of what i know about the one i have....I highly recommend a burr king or hard core......and as for the cost, it you keep it for the rest of your life, the cost will be long forgotten. buy the best, forget the rest.

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
BM3, two horsepower, 220V variable is the only way to IMHO. You need the variable speed for finish work and I agree with RJ Martin that slower is better. I got the 2 HP based upon a conversation with a friend who is well versed in electrical engineering. It was his opinion that during the life of the motor the two HP would not be worked as hard as the 1.5. Granted, the difference is minimal but I also felt that I would rather have too much power than not enough. I spoke with Bob Engnath just before he passed away and he highly recommended the BM3 with the two HP motor. Bob's recommendation was good enough for me.

Fox
 
I guess I've ground blades on every kind of grinder there is. All the ones mentioned will do the job. I think the best suggestion is to contact makers with each type and find out the good and bad with them. I've ground on some that just weren't "comfortable". I hollow grind on a Burr King and do flat/tool rest type stuff on a Square Wheel. Both have variable speed and that's the best suggestion (the variable speed, not my particular grinders) so far. Worth the money.

It's a big investment so take your time and get what "fits" you.
 
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