Which "cheap" grinder for a new knifemaker?

[Phillip Patton]

Wow, $250.00 I could do, would love to hear about how you did it. I plan on buying a Burr King when I win the lottery.

I'd be glad to share. I'll try to take some good pictures of it, and maybe do a tutorial on it. maybe this week...

 

[Ripper]

A question for the Grizzly owners out there.

Can you move the arm and platform on the stock machine to do hollow grinding or do you have to modify it somehow? I've seen a lot of posts with homemade platforms on them so I was under the impression you'd have to make something for it. I've been really tempted to try one, but usually try to save up and get the good stuff if I can.

The stock arm and tool rest can be positioned for use with the contact wheel without modification.
The Grizzly can be upgraded; there is a 10" contact wheel, some sanding drums, and various buffing wheels avaiable for it from Grizzly. Scotchbrite wheels work also. You can make some of the pieces yourself (i.e. the improved tool rests you have seen).
Regards,
Greg

 

[Ripper]

I'd be glad to share. I'll try to take some good pictures of it, and maybe do a tutorial on it. maybe this week...

Phillip,
I look forward to seeing your machine:thumbup: Would it be possible for you to post the photos here also (I'll do it if you like)? Your buffer would be a nice addition as well!
Regards,
Greg

 

[flatgrinder]

I'd recommend the Grizzly if you're on a budget -as it includes the motor.

I would also recommend one of those ceramic platen liners from Darren Ellis -they make flat grinds a whole lot cleaner.

 

[J. Neilson]

I'd also recommend the Grizzly with a ceramic platen. I used a Grizzly for 4-5 years before getting my KMG.

 

[Phillip Patton]

Phillip,
I look forward to seeing your machine:thumbup: Would it be possible for you to post the photos here also (I'll do it if you like)? Your buffer would be a nice addition as well!
Regards,
Greg

Sure, you can post it there. I need to clean it up and take some good pics of it first. Also, my server doesn't always let me upload photos when I want, so who knows when I'll get them up. I'll start a thread for it when it's ready.
My buffer, is bug ugly. It needs some work too. It "jiggles". I need make it more rigid.

 

[Mike Hull]

The stock arm and tool rest can be positioned for use with the contact wheel without modification.
The Grizzly can be upgraded; there is a 10" contact wheel, some sanding drums, and various buffing wheels avaiable for it from Grizzly. Scotchbrite wheels work also. You can make some of the pieces yourself (i.e. the improved tool rests you have seen).
Regards,
Greg

Can you make it variable speed if you choose? Can you change out the motor at all as a matter of fact? No you can't!

Of course you can change wheels on it, that's not what I was talking about as far as upgrades. That's just normal toolling change out that any grinder has.

You get the grizzly, and when you find out how limited it is, then come on back and tell us all about it.

 

[Mike Hull]

I'd recommend the Grizzly if you're on a budget -as it includes the motor.

I would also recommend one of those ceramic platen liners from Darren Ellis -they make flat grinds a whole lot cleaner.

You can buy TEFC 1 hp AC motors for $50.00+/-. I have one on my bench right now that I'm going to sell soon. The motor price is no excuse to buy that type of a grinder that can't be upgraded.
If you don't have the money now, save for awhile. The price of the grizzly is not too far from that of the Coote, and even though the Coote is an entry level grinder, it's head and shoulders above the grizzly in every way.

If you spend hard earned money on the cheapest grinder available, you'll just have thrown it away. It's money you'll have to come up with again to get the one you should have gotten in the first place.

I'm too poor to buy low quality tools. I need to make the right purchase the first time.

 

[Ripper]

Mike,
I make knives as a hobby. I'm on no schedule. My livelihood doesn't depend upon it. I'm not prolific about it. I do it because of the pleasure I get from it. My perspective of knifemaking follows those lines.
That said, let me address your points:

You get the grizzly, and when you find out how limited it is, then come on back and tell us all about it.

I wouldn't have addressed the tooling arm question if I had not used a Grizzly beforehand. I feel it bad form to talk knowledgeably about a tool if I haven't used it. I own a Grizzly. I use a Grizzly. I know, first hand, that it will track belts accurately and smoothly on wheel or platen. Mine has been reliable in 5 years of use. Those qualities fulfill my needs; as nice as they would be to have, I feel no need for a top of the line machine.

Of course you can change wheels on it, that's not what I was talking about as far as upgrades. That's just normal toolling change out that any grinder has.

Sure any capable grinder can do that, thanks for clarifying what you meant.

Can you make it variable speed if you choose? Can you change out the motor at all as a matter of fact? No you can't!

I have to disagree. It's not as simple a task as it appears to be on other machines, but it's not that difficult to do.
http://groups.msn.com/GrizzlyG1015/myg1015modifications.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=54

http://groups.msn.com/GrizzlyG1015/recondocsgrizzlymodification.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=68

http://groups.msn.com/GrizzlyG1015/brettbennettsmodifiedgrizzly.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=72


I have never said that the Grizzly was a perfect machine. It needs to be tweaked out of the box (so did my 1911 I know, not the same thing). It runs fast in stock form (but, slower than the stock specs. for a Square wheel). The platen isn't the best. Hollow grinding on the 8" wheel is not the easiest task to accomplish. A pro's machine? No, but I still believe it's a capable machine of good dollar value.

Mike, I would be interested in hearing what problems you encountered using a Grizzly.

Have fun whatever your choice in tools

Regards,
Greg