Has anyone ever used one of this brand?
Coote Belt Grinder
Thanks C-Y Bob
You can find a lot of info over at bladeforums.It is considered a well built affordable alternative to a Bader or KMG.Not nearly as nice as thoes machines but better than Grizzly or Craftsman.
Howdy, I used a Coote for the first 3 or 4 years I made knives. It was used HEAVILY. I had mine set up with a 1 hp motor on a hinged plate, with a 3 step pulley on both the motor and grinder. If you reverse the pulleys you have a "manual" 3 speed grinder. It only takes a few seconds to lift the plat and move the belt to the desired pulley.... really worked good. The main shaft bearing on mine froze up after about 5 years of use, but again it was used very hard.
For the money you can get a pretty darn good grinder with the Coote.
Got one in my shop that is pushing 20 years old has been worked very hard and still works like it did the day I got it. I mounted a 2hp motor on mine and it worked great. Also modified it to tilt back about 45ยบ and to take 72" - 80" belts. Like Matt said a good machine for the money.
Hey Folks Thanks for the info. If things go well I should be the proud owner of one someday soon!
a further comment on mine, I want to clarify that I probably "cuased" that bearing to freeze up by running the machine too fast. I would run it on the fastest pulley setting for extended periods. I dont know exactly how many sfpm I was runing but lets just say that grinder was screaming, had more then one belt come apart on me.
I didnt realize at the time that I was really overdoing it, but learned later that in all likely hood it was my fault.
SO if I would have been born a more patient man I would still be using that grinder..... have actually been thinking about ordering one as a "back up".