Horizontal or vertical disc grinder and why?

O

Ome108

Joined
Apr 29, 2014
Messages
224
Hi Guys,
I want to make a decision atleast to whether I will go with a standard vertical disc or a horizontal disc.
I still need more reasons specifically why to choose the horizontal disc.
Could anyone please tell me the important differences of the vert vs the horiz.
I am a newb and want to tey to make a knife, otherwise I like to make small parts for machines.
Thanks again,
Jon
 
It depends on your uses for the disc.


For me, I have no use for a horizontal, because I don't use the disc to "lap" parts or sharpen. I use it for truing bevels, dovetailing, clips, etc.. My surface grinder does the work of creating true parallel surfaces, and I like being able to see the top and bottom of the blade while grinding bevels on the disc.



That being said, I can see how it would be advantageous to have a horizontal grinder for sharpening, since it's intuitive for that purpose.. Otherwise, personally, I don't get the appeal of a horizontal disc.
 
Why not just get one? You can set it this way or that as you please. it will work for you in either position or both. What I believe is more important to its use is to have the magnetic hub as made by Rod Neilsen so you can change sand paper sizes without having to tear off one size to put on another. As well, for me , I found the variable speed was the real answer. It has provided me with a much better way of getting certain work done in a far more easier manner. Mine is set up in a horizontal position but I could easily change it to vertical. Could be all the years of belt grinding has made that way the best for me. A few years back I set up three discs first one way and then the other. I did not find either way at that time to be comfortable. I do believe the lack of a speed control created that. Frank
 
I agree with Frank on the Neilson disc system.. I bought a hub and a few plates after never being able to get an aluminum disc mounted true without chatter. There were also tolerance variances on all of them that caused bumping when grinding.


Rod's system works great, is machined with very high accuracy, and is convenient. With the steel discs, no backer is necessary IMHO, and you can get stellar flat grinds.


You wont know how "flat" your flat grinds really are off the belt grinder until you try to get one to lay flat across a flat disc.


Also, FWIW, I don't use the beveled discs. That defeats the purpose of using the disc to me, and I don't find it helpful regardless, but YMMV.
 
I am wondering how many knife making functions you are trying to accomplish on the grinder in question before responding! You say you are a newbie, so I want to make sure I give you the right advice. I have a lot of grinders. Some indispensable, and some while worthwhile, are one trick ponies. Do you have a belt grinder already?
 
MMuhlhauser said:
I am wondering how many knife making functions you are trying to accomplish on the grinder in question before responding! You say you are a newbie, so I want to make sure I give you the right advice. I have a lot of grinders. Some indispensable, and some while worthwhile, are one trick ponies. Do you have a belt grinder already?
Click to expand...

Hi,
Sorry it took so many days, my boys and girls needed my attention, and recooping with a more than a play wrestle with my big guy.
I only have a 20 year old delta combo disc and 6 by 48" belt at 3600 rpm.
I have a cheapo Delta 8 " grinder, a balder carbide grinder with diamond wheels, a universal tool and cutter grinder with diamond dish and AO PINK CUP WHEEL, and an old 1750 brush and wheel.
None are variable speed.
Would like to learn knifemaking, so I would like a good vari speed disc grinder. I already am getting a tw90.
I am only holding off on the buffer, too see if any other way will work for me.
Thanks,
Jon
 
I mounted the disc grinder on a 12X12" plywood base. I made sockets from 13X14 plywood, using 1X1 and 1X2 to make a shoe to slip the base into. The shoe is mounted vertically on the end of the work table in the smithy, and another in the shop on the bench top. I can slide the grinder in the shoe in the smithy and use it horizontal or vertical depending on which way I slide it in. In the shop, I can position the grinder horizontally left, right, or forward depending on how I slide it in.

The same shoe allows other equipment to be used, and then placed on a shelf when not needed. Buffers, a portaband, special use grinders, etc. all work well this way.

If you are having trouble envisioning this setup, think of a large version of the flash shoe on a camera.
 
My first disc was horizontal, that was years ago. I am now running 3 of
them vertically. I have'nt found anything I can't do with the vertical vs
the horizontal- plus being able to look down on a blade while grinding is
sweet. Variable speed reversing is priceless. So are Nathan's balanced
wheels.
Ken.
 
Thank you for your advice,
Are all your disc grinders variable speed?
I do not know Nathan, unless he is nielson's system's owner. I think that was the name that many professionals here recommended.
Thanks,
Jon
 
Jon, yes all of them are variable reversing. The guys name is Nathan Carothers,
user name Nathan the Machinist.
Ken.
 
One thing I noticed when people discuss the pros and cons of Vertical and Horizontal discs is that some people refer to the orientation by arbor/motor, while others refer to it by disc's orientation. There seems to be some of that inconsistency here already, so I would recommend reading these sort of threads carefully and trying to reference as to what exactly is laying Horizontal when posting.

That said, I have my disc grinder mounted with the motor horizontal (disc is vertical). I find it useful for my purposes, as it translates easily from the belt sander for flattening grinds/tangs and I can set up a work rest for dovetailing bolsters and the like. I've mounted it the other way before, and while it has its uses, I got more out of it the way I currently have it.
 
I built a couple of these. One is for a flat disc the other exactly the same for a 1˚ disc. The are both reversible but not variable speed. I'll get to that one day. They use Nathan's discs. If I want it vertical I just tip it up. If I want it horizontal I lay it back down. Easy. They work very well. There are occasions where the vertical orientation allows you to see what you're doing from a better angle or allows better "feel" when placing the object against the disc. The variable speed is the only thing missing.



 
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