Belt grinder?

[prarieboy]

Has anyone ever used one of this brand?
Coote Belt Grinder
Thanks C-Y Bob

[R H Clark]

You can find a lot of info over at bladeforums.It is considered a well built affordable alternative to a Bader or KMG.Not nearly as nice as thoes machines but better than Grizzly or Craftsman.

[Lamey]

Howdy,   I used a Coote for the first 3 or 4 years I made knives.  It was used HEAVILY.   I had mine set up with a 1 hp motor on a hinged plate,  with a 3 step pulley on both the motor and grinder.  If you reverse the pulleys  you have a "manual" 3 speed grinder.  It only takes a few seconds to lift the plat and move the belt to the desired pulley.... really worked good.   The main shaft bearing on mine froze up after about 5 years of use, but again it was used very hard.

For the money you can get a pretty darn good grinder with the Coote.

[Doug Campbell]

Got one in my shop that is pushing 20 years old has been worked very hard and still works like it did the day I got it. I mounted a 2hp motor on mine and it worked great. Also modified it to tilt back about 45º and to take 72" - 80" belts. Like Matt said a good machine for the money.

[prarieboy]

Hey Folks Thanks for the info. If things go well I should be the proud owner of one someday soon!

[Lamey]

a further comment on mine, I  want to clarify that I probably "cuased" that bearing to freeze up by running the machine too fast.  I would run it on the fastest pulley setting for extended periods.  I dont know exactly how many sfpm I was runing but lets just say that grinder was screaming,  had more then one belt come apart on  me.

I didnt realize at the time that I was really overdoing it, but learned later that in all likely hood it was my fault.

SO if I would have been born a more patient man I would still be using that grinder.....   have actually been thinking about ordering one as a "back up".