KMG's

[tomh]

I just saw the shop thread and saw Tippit's belt grinder and was wondering about the motor and pulley set up.

Then I got to wondering how you other guys have your set up.

I used one for a couple days learning how to grind, but I have no basis to compare to any others, so I would like to know what you like or don't like about them and what you might change.

I am considering just getting a stripped down frame and making my own tool bar and platen a la the set up Ed Caffrey uses. His platen has a 1.5"contact wheel on top, a 3" contact wheel on bottom and a short platen that lets him slack grind above the bottom wheel. I think he can change out the wheels and swing the platen around to do a lot more things than I know about.

So that is about all I know about this grinder. Everyone that has one or has used one, please chime in and let's talk KMG's!!

And of course pics are much appreciated. I really liked seeing everyones shop set ups.

[Lin Rhea]

Tom,
     
   I have two of the KMG's. One is  driven by step pulleys and is OK till I have to change the speeds. When I bought it I went the cheap route and did not get a base plate with it. I just bolted it and the motor to my work bench. The trouble is, it gets slack in it after a session of grinding. I can fix that by buying a base plate.
     
      Not long ago, I bought a second machine. This time I got the whole package, including the variable speed controler. I put it on the same bench as the other, but it has it's own base plate.
       
    When I bought the second one, I took the opportunity to choose a tooling arm that I did'nt already have. So far I have the Platten, the 10 inch contact wheel, the small wheel attachment, and the rotary platten.
     
     This machine is built like a tank. Rob Frink is a great guy to buy from too. When I first got mine, I was having trouble with bearings getting hot and going bad. I called him and told him which wheel was bad and he overnighted me one immediately and asked me to send him the bad one at my convenience. This kept my down time way down. He did that three different times. He said he had gotten some bad bearings and since changing them I hav'nt had any go bad.
     
      I use the flat platten and the rotary platten most.
                                    Lin

[tomh]

Thanks Lin that's just the kind of info I am looking for. I saw the rotary platen at Ed's but did not get a chance to use it. He said he likes it.

Now that I am thinking of Ed's platen, it is interchangeable for long or short plate, and they are faced with glass. That is supposed to improve performance. The short platen is great for letting you use that little section of slack belt at the bottom.

[tippit]

Doug got me into the KMG grinder & now the KMG disc grinder.  Like Lin says they are are tank but so easy to change from flat platten to slack belt to small wheel attachment.  I finally added Rob's storage holder for my 3 tooling arms.  I was hanging them from the garage joists but kept smacking my head    I seem to keep adding wheels 10, 8, 6, and 4".  If I had to do it again I'd spend the money for the variable speed motor.  I have a variable speed on my new disc grinder.  Base plate is nice as everything stays rock solid from all the grinding.
 
They are costly but I can't imagine wearing them out.  I use my grinder for all sorts of jobs besides knife making.

 

 

 

KMG disc grinder

 

[tippit]

Lin,  What are the advantages and uses that you have found to the rotary platten?  Jeff

[tomh]

Tippit is that a sealed motor? Would you be able to hook a controller to it in order to lose the step pulleys?
I am thinking I should really save my pennies and go for the variable speed set right from the get go.

Thanks for the great pictures.

[robtattoo]

You lucky, lucky swines     Wish we could get KMGs over here.Unfortunately Rob won't export them to the UK due to the excessive export costs.

[tippit]

tomh, Supposedly you can't hook to a controller.  At least that's what I've been told.  If any knows differently, I like to hear about it...tippit

[Lin Rhea]

I would ask Rob about geting the variable speed controler. I cant imagine not being able to wire it up to the motor you have.

   Tippit,
           I bought the rotary platten and had it for 6 months not really knowing what to do with it. One day I was having trouble getting a smooth transition from guard to handle wood. You know, the wood dipping lower than the metal. My weak brain was thinking that "the belt needs some kind of support behind it to keep things even". It dawned on me then what the rotary platten was for right then. I cut down on lots of hand work when I started using it.

    Besides slack belt, I use the flat platten and the rotary platten the most. Just had to say it again.

                                        Lin

[Lin Rhea]

I seen where I need to clarify something I said.

When you hook up a controler to the motor, you are supposed to use a belt to drive the grinder, but the pulleys are equal size to impart equal ratios between pullys, letting the rpm of the motor decide the speed.

 With the motor wired to a simple on/off switch, the step pulleys determine rpm.

  If I am wrong about this, please correct me.

                                       Lin

[tippit]

When's Xmas...might have to celebrate in July with a rotary platen   :D

[tomh]

Tippit is your motor 110 or 220?  I think it has to be 220 to wire it for variable. Some motors can be wired for either, just have to know what you have.

[tippit]

It can be wired either way...right now at 110.