Tharwa Valley Forge – Australian Bladesmithing School
The Radiusmaster II is the latest creation from the inventive mind of John Price. The original Radiusmaster was a innovative machine with five different wheels on one belt. John was recognized on the ABC television show “The New Inventors” for his invention. John has taken on board much of the feedback from the original Radiusmaster and made some performance improvements in the second version.
I was fortunate enough to pick up two of the new Radiusmaster I l’s from John’s factory in Sydney. What an amazing workshop! John works with a small staff in making each of the machines onsite. His equipment and jigs are fascinating – presses and benders, mill, lathes and all kinds of jigs and fixtures to make the parts. Especially interesting was the old Radiusmaster on a 45 degree angle used for grinding the rubber wheels to size. A platen holds the wheels square against the belt, but the belt drifts across the wheel, ensuring no one part gets too hot to melt the rubber. You can see the man’s inventive brain hard at work in the shop.
Barry Gardner – Gardner Knives
Gardner Knives has been a full-time business in Adelaide for the past 12 years, with workshops and high-end knives. When we started our business, I was determined to start off with the best belt grinder on the market. I remember seeing Radius Master on the New Inventors, years previously, and was intrigued. Not only have I used the awesome Radius Master over the last 12 years, but all our students use them on a daily basis. I tend to give grinders a hard time and I only have one word to say “Indestructible”. So for anyone, particularly in the knifemaking world, if you don’t have a Radius Master or two in your workshop, you’re missing out.
Greg Kilmartin – Kilmartin Automotive Sheetmetal
We originally saw your Radius Master on the New Inventors program. Being very impressed we purchased one immediately and it really has proven to be one of the most useful pieces of plant. The Radius Master is a superbly designed and most versatile piece of machinery; we use ours for component finishing, but its finest hours have been with our tool making. Some fantastic jigs and press tools have been made very efficiently with the help of your brilliant machine.
We can go to it 50 times a day!
Great to see Australia can still lead the way in design. We wish you a great future.
Cheers and thanks from all at Kilmartin Automotive Sheetmetal.
Greg Kilmartin
Bob Cotton
The Radius Master is without doubt the most frequently used and most versatile machine in my workshop.
I initially purchased my Radius Master for knife making. It does everything from grinding a blank through to sharpening and polishing. I have never found a grinding machine that removed metal so quickly and precisely yet can be used for the most delicate of finishing and polishing.
It is also my first choice for grinding HSS tools for my lathe, drill sharpening and all other general grinding.
I have also chamfered and notched literally thousands of pieces of pipe with my Radius Master. The ease of changing between radiuses makes internal chamfuring and/or notching of different size pipe fast and efficient. The Radius Master is a joy to use and has truly become indispensable.
Regards,
Bob Cotton
Karim Haddad – Tharwa Valley Forge
Since 2004, the Tharwa Valley Forge has been using Radiusmaster grinders for our Knifemaking Classes. Hundreds of students have ground their first knife blades using a Radiusmaster after a short safety briefing and grinding demonstration.
We have used the original Radiusmaster, the Select-a-rad and the new Radiusmaster II, in both the variable speed and fixed speed configurations.
The variable speed motor allows those with less experience in using machines to start slowly and build confidence as they increase the speed. The variable speed motors also allows delicate grinding and sharpening without overheating or burning of the steel, and the grinding of softer material like wood, bone and horn. The different radius’ available allow efficient shaping of handles.
The Radiusmaster solid construction and design require allow long periods of service, without the need for maintenance. The accessories are well made, and adjustable. Cleaning is easy, and belt changes are quick. Belt life is vastly improved over other grinders I have used, saving money and time. Their compact size take up less room in the workshop.
Using the Radiusmasters has cut the grinding time in half in the classes, allowing more time for other processes. Beginning students are producing superior results on their blade grinds. Experienced users are producing blade efficiently with a high standard of finish.
I have made my investment back many times with the Radiusmaster through longer belt life and improved productivity. Don’t waste valuable time with inferior options.
Karim Haddad
Tharwa Valley Forge
Chris Harriss – Knife Maker
Hi John,
I received my RM Series 2 on Monday.
The level of thought and work put into this machine is self-evident. The engineering is exact and the features outstanding. Such quality is virtually extinct due to the cancer that is globalisation. The fact that the RM Series 2 is Australian, in both design and manufacture is to be both embraced and cherished. You are a legend!
Well done and thank you very much.