knife grinder

[charlie phillips]

I looking at knife making tools.What is the difference in the knife grinder and the sander.I can't afford a BADER KNIFE GRINDER.I've seen the KALAMAZOO 2 BY 48 SANDER $ 380.What do yall use?  


     TXCP

[Lamey]

The Bader will have multiple attachments you can buy, and overall is a real solid grinder.  It does have some weak areas in the design (shoulder bolt that connects the arm to the body,   idler adjustment screw etc.)  

Ive never used a Kalamazoo,  but would guess you will generate alot more heat and go through alot more belts witha 48" belt vs. a 72" belt.

All that said,  If i were going to buy a grinder tommorow it would be a Beuamont Metal Works.

[DANA HOLMAN]

I have used a grizzly 1x30 and  craftsman 2x42 it does use a lot a belts but it's what I can afford right now. I'm still saving for my KMG 2x72. To get started the craftsman is only 125.00
Dana

[tippit]

The ability to add attachment to a grinder is Huge.  As you get better & more creative, you crave these extra attachments.  The other neat thing about a quality grinder like Bader or KMG is other people are always coming up with new ideas for attachments to these grinders.  Joe Keeslar demonstrated a polishing attachment made by Master Smith Tim Poitier to adapt to the Bader & KMG.  It is another invention and reason to have one of these grinders.

I have & love my KMG.  If you can swing it, I'd suggest investing that $350 into a basic good grinder and get attachments later.  I've always found that when I bought a cheaper something, I'd go back later a buy what I should have done in the first place.  Course it's always a balancing act with money...Doc

PS:  Joe Keeslar will have that polishing attachment at Tanner Hill to demonstrate if anyone is interested.

[Bobby Urban]

so are you saying the basic KMG is in the $350.00 range?  I have found(just my simple research) that grinders are in the 4-600 range or 15-2500 range?  Is the Grizly any good?  

A good grinder would be a final piece to a hodge podge puzzle of knife forging equipment and I could quit using the 2x24 hand sander I clamp to the bench.  

I am really interested in hearing peoples opinions on this - thanks Tippet for the advice.  

Bob Urban

[charlie phillips]

I'm new to knife making and just do it as a hobby.Were can I find the KMG.


    txcp

[2treks]

KMG is a bit more than $350, but, as Jeff said it is a great machine and $350 gets you started in that direction. Just google KMG grinder,It is made by Beaumont metal works if I remember.
cootebeltgrinder.com is a pretty good looking rig for less money and has some ad-ons for later.
Disclaimer: I am not a blade maker and have looked at the above grinders for bow making.  

[Lamey]

THe KMG is made by Beumont Metal Works,   really solid machines and extremely well built.

You can buy them from KMG or direct.

IF I were a hobby knife maker I would look around and buy a used grinder.  There are plenty of folks that get into knifemaking to make a bunch of money,  then they figure out it is hot, hard, dirty work and sell off equipment.

[Track]

When buying a grinder, look into a variable speed motor. You'll find it real handy and makes the grinder more versatile. Some of the smaller spindles you use for finger grooves need to be run at lower speeds or they will burn up pretty quickly. Also, different grit belts work better at different speeds.

[mater]

Those kmg grinders dont come with a motor on there website, its extra. Look close before you buy.  I made my own, wish I could post pics because it was pretty easy and works great.  Mark

[madness522]

There is an option to get you close to $350 on a 2x72 machine.   USA Knife Maker Supply  has plans to build a grinder and sells all the parts.  I used Tracy's plans to build my first grinder and it worked pretty well. Just something else to look into.  I think I had around $350 in it not counting the motor.

[charlie phillips]

THANKS FOR THE HELP.i'M USING A BLACK&DECKER 3 BY 21 HAND SANDER,TALK ABOUT USING BELTS BUT ITS ALL I GOT.


     TXCP

[Todd Robbins]

The best starter grinder for the money is the 2 x 42 from Crafstman.  It has some limitations, but can be everything a hobby maker needs with a few minor modifications.

[TheBigRedArcher]

My work does not hold a stick to the other that have thrown in on this tread, but for what it is worth I use a grizzly 2X72 knife grinder... about $500.00

TBRA

[OconeeDan]

There is a gentleman in Sunbright, TN, named Wayne Coe.  A bladesmith and art blacksmith.
He offers grinder workshops where you go to his place, pay about 900 bucks, and he helps you build your own grinder.  You will go home with a nice one, similar to a KMG, with variable speed drive using a 1.5hp motor.  I believe you can use the same accessories for a KMG.
[email protected]

Dan

[Bryan Bondurant]

If you just want to mess around and get your feet wet you cant go wrong with the Craftsman for a hundred and fifty bucks (There abouts).

Beyond that the two most important things are going to be standard size which is 2x72 in American and 5cm x 2m outside of America. That way you have the best access to belts, everything comes in 2x72. There are some technical arguments for longer belts but once you go beyond this standard size you hit a wall with availability off the shelf. That and for general knife making 2x72 is plenty.

The second is speed control. This is the the single biggest issue when you go beyond hogging steel. One can get by with step down belt drives and all that to slow down but a variable speed is the way to go.

My biggest issue with the KMG is the fact its a belt drive. I like direct drive machines and would not buy a belt drive having messed around with them in the past.

The best deal on a off the shelf ready to go VFD machine I know of right now is at Uncle Als ( riversidemachine.net )

 http://www.riversidemachine.net/item14549.ctlg

 http://web.ivenue.com/riversidemachine/images/grinder.JPG

The best grinder out there right now is the Dozier which runs 2,995 plus shipping but it is a knife makers dream of a grinder with a very special belt tension set up. From what I understand AG Russel uses these grinders in his shop as do several knife companies.
 http://www.dozierknives.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=54

 http://www.dozierknives.com/images/documents/grinder1_small.gif

Both of those machines made right here in Arkansas by machinist.

The bottom line is you don't need a belt grinder at all to make a great historical or modern knife. Anyone that does not believe that can reference Don Fogg. I know for a fact he was making knives in his basement a couple years back with no grinder at all, only using Sen, files, paper, and stones.

[David Ricke]

Charlie, When I bought my first Bader some years ago. Bader sent me the machine with some money down and let me pay the rest monthly. With the economy as is, they may still be up for that. I can attest for the versitality the these machines. I now own three. Good Hunting Knifemaker