2x48 Radius Master belt grinder

R

Reynaldo Garza

Joined
Jul 12, 2009
Messages
89
Hey Gentlemen, need your advise on whether to purchase this machine for $2300 bucks with shipping. Or a 2x72 Grizzly or a 2x48 multitool with a 1hp Jet motor. Both the grizzly and the multitool are the same price $600plus. Need someone who has a Radius Master to let me know how good ratings it has or bad ones. I do like it because it does have everything needed for knifemaking and versatile. I'm a 61 yrs of age and disabled nam veteran and this knifemaking is a good hobby for me. Keeps my mind busy instead of my past:confused::confused: war attacking me. Please help me in my purchase since, you guys are the best men I can count on. Rey
 
For that much, I'd go with the KMG. Disclaimer: I don't own a grinder yet.
 
If you can afford it go with the KMG.

Grizzlys are running in the $400 range and are light years ahead of a multi tool.
 
For 2x72 belts I either have to drive to Cremona to get them or specially order them from a distributor, so I personally like the 2x48 better. I can buy 6x48 belts and with a couple small slits and a tear I can have 3 belts for the price of one. I find they work quite well. I probably would have bought the Grizzly if they shipped to Canada though. That would have been my first choice, considering I'm not prepared to throw down $2000 on a KMG or whatever. I have other things I want to buy too, like forging stuff.:D Nevertheless, I am quite happy with my Multitool considering it's got both a bench grinding wheel and a belt and I don't have the room in my basement for two machines. I bet it can do anything a Grizzly can do...possibly even more if you get the disc attachment. Maybe you would have better selection of belts where you live, I don't know.
 
KMG is my recommendation, or build a KMG clone. Rob at Beaumont Metal Works sells everything needed to build one and will answer any questions along the way...stand-up fella all the way. Here's a link: www.beaumontmetalworks.com . Out of the grizzly and the multitool I would go with the grizzly. I own neither of those two grinders, however I have researched every website known to man. I use two homemade grinders that are loosely based off the KMG...I bought all of the wheels and shafts from Beaumont.
 
Bill Burke said:
for 2300 or so you can get a kmg with nearly all the attachments + vfd and 3phase motor
Click to expand...

I'll second that!

If it was me dropping 2300.00 on a grinder it would not have a 2X48 belt. The radiusmaster does look like a pretty slick unit though. 2X72 belts are pretty much a standard with knifemaking, the selection of grits, backing, and composition are almost endless. If you are sure you are going to continue to make knives, I would go with a KMG.

Brad
www.andersonknives.ca
 
The radiusmaster is a great machine unless you want to hollow grind. No clearance between your hand and the motor on the lefthand side.

I can say this here because I said the same thing to the guy who designed and displayed the machine at an Australian Knifemakers Guild show about 7 years ago. I told him to his face after he asked a few makers for their opinions.

As I have said in every other aspect it is a great machine. Go for the KMG or as suggested build one.

Peter
 
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