tughill Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 Hi everyone How many smiths use a belt grinder(KMG style) in their shop? (other than knife making) Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vapremac Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 Allthough not a KMG style, I use a belt grinder quite frequently in my day to day operations around the shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Ivan Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 If I had one, I could see myself using it just about every day. Thats next on my shop tools punch list. I can imagine it being very useful in getting a nice flat surface finish better the what I could do with a 4 1/2" angle grinder and its much faster then draw filing. Plus, beveling, polishing, sharpening tools evenly etc (all these can be done with other cheaper tools but its more a luxury in my book) -Crazy Ivan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petere76 Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 Tug, I use the belt grinder regularly. Take down wooden handles to a more rectangular profile that I like to use. Dress all manner of tooling. Dress hammer faces that may have caught a few errant dings. Polishing and deburing. I use the platen and table to properly square long pieces. In our shop we have along and short table and the both see a lot of use. Either of the wheels can be positioned to radius or chamfer curved or flat surfaces. The speed varients (step pulleys or VFD) offer a lot of control on how fast or slow things happen. The uses are only limited to your imagination and available belts. I built our 2x72 belt grinder in order to save a few bucks and it's turned out to be one of the most versatile tools in the shop. I used to clamp a portable belt sander to the bench, it worked but....it produced some scary moments with skined knuckles and pieces flying. You had to be very careful and obviously it had limitations. Happy New Year, Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken G Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 I'm just a hobby smith but I use my bench mount belt grinder all the time. Not a KMG type. It works great for a lot of metal dressing, wooden handles and the things listed above. If it broke this afternoon I would be off to the store to purchase a new one. I can't imagine not having it. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MLMartin Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 I have the polar bear forge grinder in a box. I bought good quality wheels and motor. I run around 5000 feet per minet if I remember right. Pretty much as fast as the belts can handle. I buy 36 grit belts and take off metal as fast as possible. It would be nice to have variable speed. But it was a extra 500 for that. I use this tool every day in the shop. I will ruff cut angles of forged parts with a angle grinder and true them up at belt grinder. Also very nice for cleaning up items that were torch cut or plasma cut buy hand. I dress tools frequently to. I spent a little over 1000$ for it. I am pleased with the tool. I think this tool needs to be set up with some type of dust removal system Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbruce Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 I have one and I love it...... B) '?do=embed' frameborder='0' data-embedContent>> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windancer Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 I have a KMG and a Grizzly and another Grizzly on my surface grinder and three more Grizzlies set up with different buffing pads and compounds. Both grinders get used every day I work in the shop. Could not work without them after having them for a few years. I, too, used to mount my belt sander in a vice to use sometimes. Then I bought 1 x 30 benchtop sander and I was hooked big-time. Do yourself a favor and get one in your shop. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wana be Posted January 1, 2014 Share Posted January 1, 2014 I bought a Kalamazoo 2" belt grinder about 9 years ago For around $300 excellent machine uses 2" x 48" belts John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alec.S Posted January 1, 2014 Share Posted January 1, 2014 I use my belt grinder every single day in the shop! Most used powered tool I own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ten Hammers Posted January 1, 2014 Share Posted January 1, 2014 Will see if the attachment makes the trip. I built this grinder in likely 1994. 2x48. Used for general work. Norzon 80 grit. Production work (15 years worth ) and general shop and rendezvous stuff. I now also have a grizzly with a 3 speed tranny. It is in the basement and is used for some tool and blade work (obviously 2x72 on it ). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ten Hammers Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 I also have a 3x21 hand held Porter Cable that is used for sharpening stuff in the vise ( mower blades etc ) and it excels for wood or stuff too big to tote to the other grinders. I also use flap wheels of various grits on the side grinders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trinculo Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 Wilmont Grinder 2 x 72 with 3 phase VFD for speed control. Most used tool in the shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWHII Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 I use a Ellis 6000 2 1/2"x60" belt grinder. Great machine. I do a lot of fab work and this is the best machine for me. I have finished a few knifes on it and performed ok. A KMG style grinder is on my wish list for 2014! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Romo Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 I also have a 3x21 hand held Porter Cable that is used for sharpening stuff in the vise ( mower blades etc ) and it excels for wood or stuff too big to tote to the other grinders. I also use flap wheels of various grits on the side grinders. What a great idea. Never ceases to amaze me the things smiths come up with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockstar.esq Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 One thing not already mentioned is that a belt grinder works really nicely to cut smaller rod stock. A 4" grinder with a cut off wheel is about as fast but the belt grinder's already set up and doesn't require a vice. Plus it tends to throw the mess directly into my quench bucket which makes it cleaner too. I use mine just about every time I'm forging. Another thing is that slack belt grinding is really nice for curved pieces like axe heads. It'd be very difficult to smoothly contour a convex and symmetrical piece any other way. I've got a 2x72 Grizzly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenbeast Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 i use mine all the time, cleaning up burrs, tidy up a fish mouthed bar end, etc... i find it easier to put a 90 degree end on a bar after cutting using a platen on the grinder. also handy to sharpen/refinish knives, punches, hammer faces Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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