WolksGrinder

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rashid11

Joined
Dec 8, 2005
Messages
707
Well, it is been 4 months or so since I built my own grinder.
I think I was subconciously inspired by Goddard's Big Red.

3 dozen knifes later (some sold !) it is going stronger than
ever. While it is still just a hobby for me, I could justify
a purchase of KMG etc. But guess what - I don't feel I am
limited in what I can do on my HMG.

Looking at A-la-RW-Loveless cutie that I have finished today,
laying next to me, I felt I owe it to untold number of hobbiest
out here, who feel they need to spend $1000+ on a grinder,
just to start. Not having the money or guts to ask the honey,
they never embark on this wonderful journey.

And here's my message: build your own ! And not in any
other way, but MY :o way: use a buffer/grinder as foundation
for it. This way, with BigRed design, you will consume by FAR
smallest real estate on yer bench AND still have one shaft for
buffing. For 1 square foot of space you will have everything you
need to grind AND buff your blades. Not too shabby.

Here's a SHOCKER :eek: : you don't even need a contact wheel.
While my HMG does have it, I never use it. I also know there're
a number of KMs who only do flat grinds.

http://www.knifeforums.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/751879/
http://www.knifeforums.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/752550/post/774815/#774815
 
thought I'd second the thought on building your own grinder. If you have the mechanical ability or even if you think you don't give it a try anyway. I feel pretty proud to when using my grinder knowing that I designed and built it. Not that I can take all the credit for it's design I was definetly influenced by the KMG but I have spent less than 50 dollars in building mine and 30 of that was for pillow block bearings. Alot of it was scrounged up supplies but even if I bought everthing it would be less than $150 I'm sure. The point is give it a try, just don't spend as much as buying a KMG doing it. Here are some latest pics of my grinder.
2006_0226heattreating0006.jpg

2006_0226heattreating0013.jpg

2006_0226heattreating0010.jpg
 
Sometimes HMG's work wonderfully for many years. The best ones seem to be based on a commercial design. What I have only rarely seen is someone coming back and admitting it if their design fails after a year or so because of cheap components. ;)

There was a young man on another forum who built himself a grinder out of 2x4's and casters for wheels. he really bragged it up, and ignored warnings. He ground himself a couple of simple knives and then started chiding people who had spent the bucks for a commercial grinder, laughing at them that his cheapo was as good as theirs. Not too many months after that he actually had the admirable guts to admit his foolishness, as his grinder had self-destructed. The casters had not held up to the high speed and the construction just wasn't rigid enough. He learned why good components cost more, and that there's no such thing as that free lunch. He got discouraged, didn't have the money for a store-bought grinder, and quit.

I only have two points, here: I agree that there is nothing wrong with a HMG if built well. The second point is there are certain components that should be industrial quality. A contact wheel made out of parts from a Radio Flyer isn't going to be as good as my CRC wheel, no matter what you do. Get good bearings and pay attention to rigid construction....

Jigs: by their very definition they are self-limiting. A '"jig" is a purpose-built holder. Nothing wrong with that at all, either, but don't fall into the trap of designing your work to accomodate your jigs. Make it work the other way around and design another jig rather than let it pigeonhole you. People have been trying for years to come up with a "universal" knifegrinding jig. No one has succeeded yet.

Just my 2cents.

Edited to add: Rashid and Ken, this wasn't directed at you. My comments were directed at those who will be inspired by your success to try their own hand at a HMG. :)
 
fitzo said:
Jigs: by their very definition they are self-limiting.
Click to expand...

I'm learning this as I go. I'm on my 4th jig design now. Each one allows me to do more (meaning the jig does less). Soon, I expect I'll be done with them, though I can't see ever going without the workrest. They have helped me learn how to grind -- as much by finding out what I can't do with them as what I can. They have also slowed me down, so that my mistakes aren't so severe, and I can (usually) recover from them without a dramatic blade redesign :o .
 
It is rather interesting that so many beginners are mesmorized and
afraid by/of free-hand blade grinding, that most of knife-makers
use.

I was in the same position just a few months ago. But then, after building
my HMG, I practiced a lot on same HD/Lowes HRS. After feeling comfortable
with my feel (NPI) for grinding, I started with "real" steel.

The jig I learned from grinding video takes ALL THE FUN OUT of grinding, makes it a no brainer. I've modified it slightly from the original design .

But today, I find myself using free-hand grinding more and more. The key
is to establish a grind surface (flat in my case) and progressively expand on it.

For final grinding I use a soft platen - glued some shore A70 1/4" rubber onto
metal platen and then glued some graphite tape on it. This one is SMOOTH.
 
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