I recently sold off some of my collection to add to the shop tool fund. I have access to a mill, lathes, a drill press, surface grinder and electric furnaces at work. As such, the biggest deficiency in my knifemaking arsenal, other than skill and experience, is access to a quality grinder. Right now I'm leaning towards a KMG with the 3 step pulley set up. Obviously, I'd love variable speed, but it isn't in the budget right now. I'm considering one of the packages that includes either an 8" or 10" contact wheel as well as the platen attachment. What size wheels are you guys using for hollow grinds on your folders? The cost difference between the two is only $50, so I'm leaning towards the 10".
Beaumont also has a really sweet, 1HP, VS Horizontal grinder, but I think the vertical unit will be much more versatile. Besides, I might be able to rig up a tilt table in order to use it as a horizontal. I plan to work primarily on slip joints and maybe even some lockbacks in the immediate future, but eventually plan to venture into forging, damascus, etc.
I know there are a lot of grinders out there. I have only heard good things about the KMG and it looks like a tank, so this seems like a good choice. These days, time is my scarcest resource, so I'm not really interested in the whole DIY thing. I'd rather spend my free time making knives! Eventually, I'll want a small wheel attachment, but I think this will be a pretty good little starter set.
So is there anything I'm overlooking? As always, comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Beaumont also has a really sweet, 1HP, VS Horizontal grinder, but I think the vertical unit will be much more versatile. Besides, I might be able to rig up a tilt table in order to use it as a horizontal. I plan to work primarily on slip joints and maybe even some lockbacks in the immediate future, but eventually plan to venture into forging, damascus, etc.
I know there are a lot of grinders out there. I have only heard good things about the KMG and it looks like a tank, so this seems like a good choice. These days, time is my scarcest resource, so I'm not really interested in the whole DIY thing. I'd rather spend my free time making knives! Eventually, I'll want a small wheel attachment, but I think this will be a pretty good little starter set.
So is there anything I'm overlooking? As always, comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated.