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Ed Caffrey's Workshop Talk to Ed Caffrey ... The Montana Bladesmith! Tips, tricks and more from an ABS Mastersmith.

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Old 06-10-2021, 11:23 AM
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Ed Caffrey Ed Caffrey is offline
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2 x 72" Grinders.... A rehash

OK.... I know most of you have heard/read my feelings on 2x72" grinders, but recently I am seeing, and receiving emails with people who claim to be "serious" knifemakers, asking me for my advice on some el-cheapo grinder.... typically something from Amazon or Harbor Freight..... then when I try to explain that they are simply throwing money away, and to save their pennies for a "Top End" grinder...... I get a bunch of guff.
So for the sake of some of those folks possibly finding this thread via an internet search, or me being able to copy/paste it, here are some thoughts on 2 x 72" grinders.

*** DO NOT TRUST AND INTERNET SEARCH WHEN SEEKING ADVICE ON A GRINDERS!**** I just did it....and the first thing that pops up, rates the Grizzly 2 x 72" as "The Best grinder" NOTHING could be further from the truth. Get on the net and look up established knifemakers, and get their input! If you haven't figured it out...these are the people who have the experience, and know what they are talking about....period!


1. If you are anything other than a dabbling hobbyist, and you think you need a "grinder"....then you need a quality 2 x 72" grinder.
**Build or Buy?** First of all, far too many overestimate their ability/skills when it comes to fabricating a 2 x 72" grinder... thinking they are going to save a ton of money by building their own. Sadly, with the exception of a few who are experienced/gifted/talented fabricators, it usually ends up costing as much or more, for a machine that runs poorly and doesn't do what the individual wants/needs. For the majority of people, they will be far ahead in terms of money, time, and effort, to purchase a grinder instead of building one.

2. Yes, they can be spendy, but you will get what you pay for, especially a 2 x 72" grinder. That is...provided you do your homework, and NOT buy from any of the "Johnny come lately" outfits.

3. There are a TON of "new guys" building and selling 2 x 72" grinders.... BEWARE! Many of them are only trying to capitalize on the current popularity of knifemaking, and building the cheapest machine they can, then selling it for what seems like a screaming deal price.... but when you need support, service, or parts.....they won't be there. If the price seems too good to be true....it very likely is. Scrutinize EVERYTHING about any grinder you are interested in buying.... take the time to call (do NOT email or PM the seller) and ask questions. If the seller can't or won't answer your questions, then it's best to look else where. Talking on the phone will also give you an idea of the type of person/company you are dealing with. Yes, it might be old fashioned, but I trust my gut instincts, and can usually tell from a single phone conversation if I can trust and/or like an individual or company. The "wheels" used on the machine can tell you much. Are they actual rubber or urethane wheels? Do any wheels with bearings have shielded or sealed bearings? Do the wheels on the platen assembly have smooth or grooved wheels (grooved wheels can be very dangerous, so look for either smooth aluminum or rubber/urethane wheels on platen assemblies) I have seen some really STUPID things such as caster wheels, open bearings, and even skateboard wheels being used on grinders that are for sale to the public.... any of those are just accidents waiting to happen, and if you buy something like that.... I simply have not pity for you.

4. What brand should you look for? I have my favored brands..... those being KMG/Beaumont Metal works, Bader, Burr-King, or any other brand that has been around, and proven to withstand the test of time.

5. The heavier the better! Many tout "light weight".... or "light weight and strong". Don't believe it! When it comes to grinders, lighter equates to increased vibration, chatter, and often times LESS durability than machines that are "over built" with steel construction. I am not even a real fan of aluminum tooling arms for most grinders...with the exception of those such as the KMG TX, which thoughtfully has "tabs" that place pressure on the tooling arm, versus the end of a bolt that digs into an aluminum tooling arm.

6. Speaking of tooling arms.... SIZE MATTERS! Specifically, I recommend only those machines that use 1 1/2" tooling arms. Why? because that is "the standard", and most all accessories offered are designed for machines that use 1 1/2" tooling arms.

7. Steer clear of machines that tout/use Aluminum, or those that have all kinds of "eye candy" cutouts in the frame/body of the machine..... both lead to increased vibration, chatter, and are simply not as durable.

8. Variable or single speed? Plain and simply....VARIABLE... and more specific, a 220V/3 phase motor, with a VFD (variable frequency drive) speed controller. Don't skimp on the VFD/Controller! I know some folks go with the cheapest controller they can find....but just buy a KBAC brand, and you will be worry free. I've used the KBAC VFDs every since they became available to the public....and there is not a more simple, durable, or longer lasting VFD on the market.

9. How much should you pay for a grinder? That depends on your needs/desires, but I'd say that if you find a Variable speed package 2 x 72" grinder, for less than $2K, then be suspicious.

Some are now saying... "BUT! I can't afford that!" Fact is, IF you are trying to make knives at any level above a dabbling hobbyist.... you can't afford not to! The machine will be the center of your shop, and you will find that it will be used every day you are in the shop, whether you are knifemaking that day or not.

10. What size motor? I personally use 3HP Leeson TEFC motors and KBAC 29D controllers on my grinders (I have 3 grinders). Remember this.... you WILL "grow into" a larger motor....but if you start out with small (as in 1hp), you have no room to grow...beyond buying an larger HP motor..... so that being said... I recommend at least a 2hp motor. NOW... out of necessity, you may have to go smaller if you don't have the power (220 Volt) to run a grinder. In that case, I would suggest to seriously consider installing, or having a 220V circuit installed, and go with the 2hp motor.

Finally..... I'm just gona come out an say it. I recommend Beaumont Metal Works, and the KMG grinders. I have worked on just about every brand/type of grinder out there that can used for knifemaking, and keep coming back to the KMG machines. They are simple and thoughtfully designed, built like tanks, and the customer service far surpasses any other I have experienced. KMG states "Industrial Belt Grinders and Machinery" and they mean it! I can't think of any other brand of grinder that makes that statement.. and demonstrates it in their products like Beaumont does.

VFDs.... KBAC in the proper model to match the HP motor you choose. I buy my KBAC VFDs here:https://www.electricmotorwholesale.c...rch/?term=kbac They range in models, and you MUST have the correct model for whatever HP motor you intend to control.

I'm sure there are tons of other opinions out there, and that's OK. Everybody has a right to their opinion....but I am speaking from 30+ years of experience using 2 x 72" grinders.

Feel free to ask questions....because there is no way I could cover all possible questions in one post.... GO!


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Last edited by Ed Caffrey; 06-12-2021 at 08:18 AM.
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Old 06-15-2021, 03:35 PM
KenH KenH is offline
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Ed has done a VERY good write up on choice of 2X72 grinders. I agree with 99% of what he says, and don't really take issue with the other 1%, especially for a full time knifemaker where time is money. When Ed speaks (writes) I pay attention because I know he's got the experience and knowledge I can always learn from. Ed has always been so good about sharing knowledge with us mere mortals.

Ed's statement about

*** DO NOT TRUST AND INTERNET SEARCH WHEN SEEKING ADVICE ON A GRINDERS!****

can't be emphasized too much.

I think Ed tends to come from a commercial view point where time is money. I tend to come from a hobbyist view where I've got more time than money, and I enjoy making tools and attachments almost as much as using them. The views I offer below are a reflection of my hobbyist viewpoint..... AND my enjoyment of "tinkering"

#1, "IF" a "dabbling" hobbyist is wanting a grinder, then they need a quality grinder. I tend to think the minimum basic grinder is a VFD with direct mounted 3 ph motor with a tracking setup like either the TW-90, Reeder, or KMG-TX grinders. Each of those use a bit different method and each of the 3 methods work good.

I've built 3 (4?) grinders and it's just not that hard to build a really NICE grinder that will run smooth. I tend to think anybody that can make a nice looking knife has the skill to build a nice grinder that will run smooth. BUT - I do have to remember I've been working with tools all my life and it's second nature for me to grab a tool for repair or fabrication. I've also got the shop equip to work with, lathe, milling machine, 4 drill presses ranging from a micro size for drilling with .020" drill bits to a big 2 hp floor mounted drill press. I LOVE tools

Here's a photo of my 2nd grinder running at 4,000 SFPM with a nickel balanced on edge showing how smooth it runs.



#5 - a grinder doesn't have to be heavy like a tank to be smooth (see nickel above). I personally prefer aluminum for grinder builds. I do use steel helicoils for threaded adjusting holes so the aluminum doesn't wear out. If a grinder is going to be bolted down to a bench and never moved, weight doesn't matter. My grinders are moved in and out from time to time and less weight helps in moving.

#6, Ed correct on tool arm size - 1-1/2" for sure. While there are a few grinders that use 1-1/4" tooling arms, if the idea is to purchase commercial equip, by far the industry standard is 1-1/2" size. I like aluminum tool arms, they're not so heavy and are easy to handle. BUT - remember I'm speaking from a hobbyist viewpoint. Ed's equip gets used more in a week than my stuff does in months of use.

#8 - can't agree more, a VFD with 3 ph direct drive motor only for a 2X72 grinder. My first grinder was a 3 step pulley setup and I thought it was just fine. Didn't need anything else (I thought). I finally built a direct drive with VFD and there was no comparison. While the KBAC VFD is for sure the best VFD around, for almost $400 I'll pass and use the $75 NEMA 1 enclosure Chinese VFDs. Again, for a full time maker who MUST have equip working all the time, perhaps the KBAC makes sense. I get around 5 or 6 yrs from each Chinese VFD, and that was before I started putting filters over the cooling air inlets, now I expect they should last longer.

The Chinese VFDs I've used are easy to program, and I really like the LED display that can show the belt SFPM.
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Old 06-15-2021, 04:39 PM
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Perfect input from another viewpoint..... that's what I was hoping folks would do. The more varying the input/discussion, the more ground we can cover, and the the more questions/scenarios that can be answered.

Good stuff Ken!


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Old 06-23-2021, 07:20 PM
chrisstaniar chrisstaniar is offline
 
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I'm at the hobbyist level and slowly approaching the next level of nuttiness in this hobby. I built my own grinder but I'm fairly handy and went with a good, thorough set of plans. I wasn't sure if this was gonna be a long term hobby so I opted not to fork out the $$. I use the crap out of my grinder and it just keeps on chugging. I also built 4 different tooling arms for it and a specialty jig attachment.

If you are going to build, you'd better have a solidly tested set of plans and then follow those plans to the letter. Otherwise you will be chasing vibration, belt alignment, etc.

Get a KBAC VFD. You can have slight speed changes by moving belts to different pulley's but it's a pain the butt to do. Just get a vfd.
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Old 06-25-2021, 09:02 AM
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Quote:
If you are going to build, you'd better have a solidly tested set of plans and then follow those plans to the letter. Otherwise you will be chasing vibration, belt alignment, etc.
That simply cannot be overstated! I would also add that setting out to build your own grinder takes a level of fabricating skill that many who try, grossly over estimate in themselves. It's certainly not something a person should attempt as their first fabricating job.

I might be rambling here....but the one that always gets me is when someone calls me, who is attempting to build a grinder, and can't get anything to align properly. It's always turns out to be that they cannot grasp/understand that when you weld two hunks of steel together, the weld cools, and it "pulls" the materials one way or another.... or both..... and that you have to learn/understand how to compensate for it when welding. Right back to those "fabrication skills"

That's also the reason that the top end machines use few or no welds in their build.


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Old 06-25-2021, 02:13 PM
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That frustration carries on as the end result has one debating what mod will fix it. One may wind up building several to get it just right. That process may not really save money or time. There have been makers over the years that have offered bare frames after learning the process.

In my time the makers that were helping me get started said contact John (RIP) at Tru Grit and you'll be happy with a 960 Burr King. Mount it up, plug in and go. If one has the resources, this is a simplified way to have quality gear early on. They sell readily if one has a change of mind.


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Old 07-13-2021, 09:45 AM
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I just saw on another area of the forums, and individual opening asking for plans and specifications for a KMG grinder. In my eyes that's pretty ballsy.

I know the KMG is without question the most plagiarized/copied grinder ever, and I also know that many of the other grinders out there are at least in part copied from the KMG.

I also know for a fact, they have never gotten a red cent in royalties, nor even the courtesy of someone asking if they could copy the machine or parts of it.
Yes.... I understand that the machines are not patented, and even if they were it would be a full time job/going broken thing to try to defend any patent... but I get really angry at the sheer lack of common decency/courtesy these days in the Knifemaking world.

If you're going to copy something, at least have enough manners/morals to ask that individual or company, rather than openly advertise on public forums for "plans and specifications". Anyone who would openly do that..... I would not trust them as far as I could throw them.


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Last edited by Ed Caffrey; 07-17-2021 at 07:38 AM.
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Old 07-14-2021, 01:07 PM
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THANK YOU for saying that about copying the KMG! I read the same request and dismissed it with disgust. I wanted to reply, but it was late, I wasn't in a good mood, and I figured I'd just create unnecessary hostility.


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