Best versatile belt grinder out there?

O

Ome108

Joined
Apr 29, 2014
Messages
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hi Guys,
I am new to this forum and new to knifemaking.
I would like your opinions on the best and why.
My budget is $4000. And I do a little fabricating so I like the
TW-90 belt grinder, but need an angle table like on the uber grinder, for help on doing precise angles.
Any help?
Jon
 
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Any grinder can be made to go horizontal with some fab work for MUCH cheaper. That does not mean the tw90 is not nice but it is very expensive for what it is. Especially if you have fab skills.

What do you have at your disposal equipment wise? If mill, lathe, bandsaw you could make so much. Do,you to just go plug and play? The more you save the more you have for other items.
 
I'd say TW90 out of the box ... maybe a wilmont but the KMG lets you build it and modify it as your shop grows. When getting started a 1500 grinder seems more palatable than a 3000+ grinder. Just my two cents.
 
if you can afford a tw-90 buy a tw-90. I had the opportunity to grind a few on one a couple days back and wow was it nice. It is basically two machines in one vertical and horizontal and smooth as silk.
 
Thanks Guys ,
I rather learn how to grind then build or fabricate one.
I am not experienced enough to fabricate an angled table like on the Ubergrinder. I would rather pay for all that I need and get my learning on a great machine, and make the few things I have to make, like parts for my die filer and stainless steel toys for my non-human primates I care for 24/7.
The Toys if purchased are more than the TW-90.
To fit them safely into there homes is very tedious. That is why I need a angled table to do precision angle grinds.
Federal guideline prohibits me from anything other than stainless and perfectly fitted to their home.
I wish I had the experience to make my own, but not yet.
Thanks,
Jon
 
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Well, you mentioned that you do some fabricating


Look carefully at that clamp on the workrest.

Drill 2 holes, tap one of them, cut a slot with a hacksaw


It's not rocket science.
 
I've used my friends tw-90 and its great but with $4000 you could buy less expensive grinder + disc grinder + probably a separate horizontal grinder, just an option.
 
The TW 90 is top shelf and Travis does an excellent job making it.
That said, you could have two of my grinders with the ANGLE PRO jig and money left over to buy belts and steel.

Jim
 
What about the Maximizer by Hardcore Products? I don't know if it fits in the price range but it looks pretty versatile. Of course, if I had that kind of money I would probably buy two lesser grinders so I could have multiple setups ready to go.

Bob
 
The tw 90 has a work rest that with a protractor can be set to any angle disired. Best of all it comes with the grinder
 
Alpha Knife Supply said:
Has anyone used the Uber grinder?

Chuck
Click to expand...

My experience with Brian concerning the Uber grinder was,
He posted a thread showing his first on KDs. I politely asked if he was going to make them for sale and if so I had a genuine interest in ordering one.
His reply was, " I Can't Have People Bothering me" I just let it pass and then notice him making the same and more negative replies to other inquires about buying one.

Its a free country and the man can do what the heck he wants. Personally after receiving a reply like that I would expect the same cheerful & helpful customer service, so even though I've seen them produced in small numbers for sale. I have absolutely no interest at all in buying a product from a man that replied like that to myself and others.

I have spoken with Travis maker of the TW-90 on the phone and feel that not only does he make the premier grinder out there currently, He his a polite, informative and helpful man that answered all of my questions cheerfully and I feel he would be excellent in after the sale service.

By the way, For the OP. I own a Coote, Excellent two wheel machine, and hard to beat for the price. it was my first and I will always keep it. www.cootebeltgrinder.com I am in the process of setting it up to be portable so I can use it for demo's and sharpening out of the bed of my truck..

I then purchased a Hardcore products grinder. EXCELLENT smooth machine, it's only draw back I have found after 15 years of almost daily use is that the small wheel attachment makes the belt a bit wide behind it. http://www.hardcore-products.com/pr...=11&jssCart=ce321c1808f5bf558bc17f529de28616I

And then I own a KMG. A disappointment with chinese bearings that I had to replace after about only two months of use and not really lined up that well, It has been used as a small wheel machine mostly since the design makes it do that task well. I would on another one.

While I like the hardcore machine I own currently I will buy for my next purchase and recommend the TW-90 over the maximizer because I have heard from a very reliable source that they are have teething problems with the new design.

So I hope some of this dialog is helpful?
 
Alpha Knife Supply said:
Has anyone used the Uber grinder?

Chuck
Click to expand...

I'd buy one in a heartbeat regardless of any shortcomings that Brian may exhibit. Though I've never laid hands on one, it looks like an amazing grinding and shows much promise... if they ever go up for sale I'll sell both of my 2x72s and buy the Uber.
 
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