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The Newbies Arena Are you new to knife making? Here is all the help you will need.

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  #1  
Old 05-05-2017, 04:53 PM
FMLOL FMLOL is offline
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Grinder Questions from a Newb

So I'm starting on knife making and have worked with files and hacksaws for a bit, but now I'm ready to move on to the real equipment. Right now I'm interested in a 3 Speed KMG grinder. My questions are:

Will 1.5 HP suffice? I like the 110v plug which will not limit my ability to find a work space as opposed to the potential issues with a 220v (I am a renter in a large expensive city and ideal work space can be difficult to prioritize)

Are there any ventilation requirements to work with this grinder? My current work space is in my basement where my dog stays while I'm at work. Aside from the requirement to clean after every use will it be detrimental for my dog to spend time in the same space I grind?

Are there any comparable grinders to the KMG 3 Speed that may be a better value? Particularly grinders that are more or less ready to go out of the box. I'd like to be able to easily interchange a platen, 10" contact wheel and a 1" contact wheel.

Any info would be much appreciated.
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  #2  
Old 05-05-2017, 05:15 PM
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Ed Caffrey Ed Caffrey is offline
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Will 1.5 HP suffice? I like the 110v plug which will not limit my ability to find a work space as opposed to the potential issues with a 220v (I am a renter in a large expensive city and ideal work space can be difficult to prioritize)
I think you're going to be limited to 1.5HP IF the motor must be 110V.... about 1.5HP is going to require 220V.

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Are there any ventilation requirements to work with this grinder? My current work space is in my basement where my dog stays while I'm at work. Aside from the requirement to clean after every use will it be detrimental for my dog to spend time in the same space I grind?
Ventilation is REQUIRED with ANY grinder! I cringe whenever any says they are grinding in a basement..... it's like being inside a bubble with a smoke grenade..... Stuff is gona get EVERYWHERE. I understand that working in a basement might be all a person has, but it's just not a good scenario.

As for the dog.... I have 3 of my own, and anytime I am grinding anything harmful, they are not allowed to be there. They either go into their outdoor pen, or into the house. Anything that can affect human lungs can affect a dog's..... I once had a knifemaking friend who killed his Cocker Spaniel by allowing her to be in the shop when he was grinding pearl.... not good.

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Are there any comparable grinders to the KMG 3 Speed that may be a better value?
Personally, I don't think so. There are a lot of newer grinders on the market, and I've either looked over or used most of them, and NONE of them hold a candle to the robust/heavy duty nature of the KMG, and I've always found Rob Frink (who makes the KMG) to provide top notch customer service, where many others who sell grinders want nothing to do with you after they have your money.


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Old 05-05-2017, 05:40 PM
FMLOL FMLOL is offline
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The KMG I was looking at has a 1.5HP (110v) and 2HP (220v). Just checking if the 1.5HP option would suffice long-term since 110v is exceedingly more convenient.

Looks like I may have to clear out the garage and set up a power source. Don't wanna hurt the pooch.
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Old 05-05-2017, 06:32 PM
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Ray Rogers Ray Rogers is offline
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I've used 1hp for 20 years and I have 220v available. There have been times when I wished I had 2hp or even 3hp but 1.5hp will get the job done...


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Old 05-06-2017, 07:47 AM
WNC Goater WNC Goater is offline
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I have a 1.5 horse KMG with no complaints. Unless you plan to make some really heavy blades and intend to really hog out some metal fast the 1.5 KMG should serve you well.

Try to find a means of hooking up a fan to blow out a door if you have a door in your basement to move the contaminated air out. Additionally a jury rigged fan with hvac filters to filter the air will remove a lot of dust. And get a decent respirator (not paper dust masks) . Use all three if it is an option.
It blows my mind the amount of airborn dust collected on my overhead filters. Also blows my mind the amout that still collects on my respirator filters. The heavy stuff goes into the spark bucket but there is a tremendous amout of airborne steel dust, just like wood dust in woodworking. It will get in your lungs unless you remove it and block it. That respirator is your best line of defense, the other two just somewhat reduces what gets to the respirator.


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Last edited by WNC Goater; 05-06-2017 at 07:51 AM.
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  #6  
Old 05-06-2017, 01:41 PM
dtec1 dtec1 is offline
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Yep I have a 1.5 hp 110v also works great! don't bother with the cheaper "kmg knock offs" haven't personally tried them but the look "light" not like a heavy duty machiene like the kmg
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Old 05-06-2017, 03:43 PM
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but they look "light" not like a heavy duty machiene like the kmg
That's the issue I've noticed with the majority of the "newer" grinders on the market. They are building them out of super light thickness, and in some cases gauges or material.... basically making them as cheaply as possible, then charging the same sale prices as the KMG.

There's one specific machine out there (won't be so rude as to say the name) that I was asked to "review" at last year's Blade Show..... I was shocked that they even considered selling it..... the entire frame was less then 1/8" material, and it has all sorts of "features" that unknowledgeable individuals might think are "really cool".....but in short, it was all about the "bells and whistles, and most of what the designer called "features", would be major hindrances to anyone who has some grinding experience .

After speaking with the designer/producer, and giving him my input, he scoffed at what I had to say. From our conversation, it was obvious that he had never used a 2x72" machine in his life.

He made it clear to me the he had a degree in mechanical engineering, and that I obviously didn't have much experience with a grinder . I guess later he figured out who he was talking to....he called me asking me to "take another look" at his machine. I politely declined.


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Last edited by Ed Caffrey; 05-06-2017 at 08:22 PM.
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  #8  
Old 05-06-2017, 06:29 PM
jimmontg jimmontg is offline
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There are better commercial grinders than the KMG.

There are better ones, but they cost even more than the KMG like some of the Baders or even Kalamazoo commercial grinders, but I saw a Burr King square wheel grinder that had an open cooled motor and guess what? It blew up. Why they would even offer that on a grinder meant for metal is beside me. It was an older model, early 90s, but it was scary when that big old motor blew up. Turned me off of Burr King. That was '97.

The only "knock off" from the KMG that is made of heavy duty plate is the Russian one I saw, but after everything's said and done it isn't much cheaper unless you already have your own motor so may as well go with the KMG. To be honest it looked like a copy of the KMG. It's only cheaper because labor in Russia is half of what it is here. I'm surprised the Chinese don't have one out there. Maybe they do, but I haven't seen one. The Grizzly doesn't count, doesn't have options like the KMG.
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Old 05-09-2017, 07:24 AM
dtec1 dtec1 is offline
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My friend just got a new bader. Its new I have only seen him use it once and it was just to sharpen the blade. I haven't tried it however look forward to it to compare it to the KMG. Even with the bader he has its definitely "heavier" than a lot of these knock off kmgs coming out But well as far as looks go it still looks a LITTLE light weight when compared to the KMG....maybe check the shipping weight of the 2 should give you some kind of idea. I will say this bader he has is devfinitly a lil quieter than my kmg
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