Which grinder?

SBranson

SBranson

Joined
Oct 29, 2006
Messages
2,912
I recently finished my first knife and I have seriously caught the bug. I used a 1/4hp 1"x42" and files but now I want to get a 2"x72" grinder.

There's not a lot of choice up here in Canada as many US companies won't ship across the border so I am really thinking to get a Bee grinder.

These are the few options in the budget I have allowed.

-1hp Single Speed 8" for $1680
-2hp Single Speed 8" for $1775
-1hp Single Speed 10" for $1720
-2hp Single Speed 10" for $1815

Cheapest will allow me to get a wheel holder and 1/2" wheel for handle work.

Variable speeds start around $2300 so that's a little out of range.

Any ideas? Every penny counts here. I am very limited to about $2000. Any little saved on the grinder can get more belts etc.

-Stuart

PS here's a pic of my first knife.

myknife2_3.JPG
 
while the bee metal grinder is a good product i think i would look at the kmg grinder i think they might ship to canada you would have to buy a motor for it but i think it may be better choice heres a link

http://www.beaumontmetalworks.com/grinder.html

you could also contact knut in kamloops BC he make a heck of a grinder with motor for 880 canadia dollers plus taxs heres his link

http://suremak.com/grinder.html

hope this info helps you

lee
 
Stuart is a top notch leatherworker, custom cabinet maker and a collector of custom knives..... he's not like most of us as new makers lol

Stuart, buy the biggest variable speed grinder you can afford.
 
brooksknives said:
while the bee metal grinder is a good product i think i would look at the kmg grinder i think they might ship to canada you would have to buy a motor for it but i think it may be better choice heres a link

http://www.beaumontmetalworks.com/grinder.html

you could also contact knut in kamloops BC he make a heck of a grinder with motor for 880 canadia dollers plus taxs heres his link

http://suremak.com/grinder.html

hope this info helps you

lee
Click to expand...

KMG doesn't ship to Canada.

I asked Knut about the Suremak (his prices have gone up) but I don't think I like the 2 wheel design like it or the Coote etc.
I like the KMG/Bee design with the square front platen set up.

Will Leavitt said:
Stuart is a top notch leatherworker, custom cabinet maker and a collector of custom knives..... he's not like most of us as new makers lol

Stuart, buy the biggest variable speed grinder you can afford.
Click to expand...

Thanks Will:o

So I should hold off and save up for variable speed?

JamesPEmmons said:
Suremak makes a great grinder, but the customer service is another story.
Click to expand...

Yeah he was VERY slow to respond to my inquiries and wasn't very clear in trying to answer my questions.

DustinHall said:
That's your first knife?? :eek:
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ombrapelone said:
:eek:
Are you kidding?
That's unbelievable!

Congrats!

Would you mind to open a list?

:)
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Thanks guys.
 
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Sounds like you are handy with tools, I'd say build a clone with step pulleys. Best of both worlds; cheap and and high quality, plus the customer service can't be beat.
 
I know a guy in Alberta I met through these forums who'll be making some grinders.
I'll probably hold out until I can get something from him but I am looking at options.
Getting the wheels up here isn't so easy in itself. I would likely have to order them and have them sent to my mother's in Texas and have her send them along to me.

I'm pretty new to where I live now so I actually don't know anyone locally to help me out.

That and having 2 young kids, I feel like I'd rather devote what little time I get to making the knives not the grinder... I've done very limited metal work and have no tools to speak of for metal..
 
Stuart, I'm not the first person to say this to a newcomer but I'll second Will's advice and say go variable speed. GO VARIABLE SPEED!!!!;)

Seriously, I would hold off, make a few the way you have been, and save for a variable speed. If you don't now, you'll just waste money because if you're serious about being a knife maker, you'll get a variable speed anyway. You'll kick yourself if you don't.

I was in the same boat but I held out. I promise you, you will not be sorry. I know it's hard to wait and you just want to upgrade but you'll really be limiting yourself and setting yourself back with a fixed speed. You're going to spend pretty good money anyway for a fixed speed. Save a little more and get what you want. It will be worth it in the long run.

I hardly ever run my grinder more than 50% of the total speed. Most of the time it's between 20-40% of the max. Anyone that seriously decides to make knives as a part time or full time living and makes serious investments should have variable speed.

I don't know if I stressed this or not but hold out for the variable speed.:D
 
Between that and Will's advice I will hold out and get some version of a variable speed.

Thanks!
 
Stuart,

Check with these guys for a KB drive and motor.
http://www.state-electric.com/

They sell the KBAC-24 and 27. Then find a 3 phase motor that the horsepower will match the VFD, any brand will work. The Leeson motors are hard to beat though.

Kelly
 
I can't offer advice as to a grinder but I would like to say that I'm very impressed with your first knife. :thumbup:
 
Bruce Culberson said:
Staurt,
Suremak Industries also makes a 3-wheel grinder with removable tool arms, they don't seem to have it on their web site yet. I have seen pics of it somewhere and I think it was ~$1200CAN without a motor.

Here is a link:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=633009&page=2
Click to expand...


Funny that he never even mentioned this. That 3 wheel one is much more what I had in mind.

Thanks

h2ostx said:
Stuart,

Check with these guys for a KB drive and motor.
http://www.state-electric.com/

They sell the KBAC-24 and 27. Then find a 3 phase motor that the horsepower will match the VFD, any brand will work. The Leeson motors are hard to beat though.

Kelly
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link

-Stuart

CarpScot said:
I can't offer advice as to a grinder but I would like to say that I'm very impressed with your first knife. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Thanks!
 
Couldn't you just go over the border to the first town that has a UPS Store, rent a mailbox and have a KMG shipped there? Or to someone you know on the US side?:D
 
I started out with a coote, and found myself getting a variable speed bee soon after. I bought the bee from Rob (knifemaker.ca) and love the thing - also, Don Bee has great customer service. I blew out a bearing on one of my small wheels and he shipped me a new one for free even though I offered to pay for shipping, he also sent me some set screws free of charge for the attachment.

My only complaint about the 1hp variable speed is that it seems to be a bit underpowered. I'm pretty sure there is a 2hp version available though. Rob and Don are great to deal with and the good customer service is worth the extra money when compared to buying another grinder (and trying to find your own motor). By the time you spend $1200+ on a suremak and another $6-800 for a suitable motor and vfd, you are close to the same price range as a Bee anyway and you get to deal with an established company rather than some guy building grinders in his spare time.

Have a good one,
Nathan
 
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