Silvey Grinders may be going out of business.

[Dennis Cahoon]

I hope someone will make the stuff in the US. I would love to see someone pick up the patents and keep making them.

It'd be a loser IMO!......the economy has started a downward roll on many a business like this.

 

[Philbert]

Or, maybe a company like Bailey's . . . . ?

Philbert

 

[Jacob J.]

The Chinese right now are the only ones with cheap enough labor and decent enough technology to mass produce a reasonably-priced square grinder. Like Dennis said, things have been steadily headed downward in the timber/forestry industry for many years. The last time I stopped by Silvey's shop, they said they were only selling a handful of the jacks per year anymore, definitely not enough to keep the doors open. Some of the grinder business had been decent but declining and most of that was the 510 and RZII.

Like Bob said though, there may be a cottage business in refurbishing old grinders. We put that old Nielsen pond and deck grinder back in service when I went to work at the shop in 2001 and it had been sitting for 15 years. It's still in service today.

 

[056kid]

####...

 

[procarbine2k1]

I really hate to hear that. I only have experience with their round grinders, and for sure they are worth every penny. Its too bad they couldnt make a grinder to hit a lower price point, I know the expense is hard for a lot of guys to swallow regardless of their superb build quality.

 

[mdavlee]

####...

Did you ever call Simington? I tried today and got a message about them out of the office and to leave a message.

 

[Bob Wright]

Other than the rights and patents if any they wouldn't be hard to reproduce. Anyone with a nice shop could easily build one or more...Bob

 

[Arbonaut]

Could be an opportunity for a new company to also come in and pick up the other gaps left from the Silvey line. I still remember when small, upstart companies like Trek and Mad River Canoe started up in the 'mature' bicycle and canoe industries in the '70s, and went on to expand and dominate those markets.

Philbert

Those guys started out building it in their garage, so did Bill Ruger and probably Silvey. That's how it is always done, but you have to have the spirit. Where did it go?

 

[Philbert]

Those guys started out building it in their garage, . . .

So did Henry Ford, Bill Hewlett and David Packard, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, Earl Bakken (founded Medtronic), and a bunch of bands!

Philbert

 

[srcarr52]

There's a local guy here that's been repairing and selling the jacks for years. He's one of a handful of authorized Silvey jack repairmen. There's a good chance he'll take on keeping the jacks going if Silvey really does go under. I'd be willing to take on the grinder side of it but I don't have the time, money, or motivation for that. We have a member here though, scarr, who would be great at it. He made his own carriage for a RZII grinder that I helped him get.

I have some ideas for a better square grinder. I guess it's time to put them on paper and start working out the details.

 

[Bob Wright]

I started a swing arm grinder 3 years ago. Spent some money on a new motor and adapted it to my frame, which i changed my mind on at least 3 times. So now it sits waiting for me. I have a complete machine and weld fab shop to work from just lost intrest. I do have another business that i have been running for the last 13 years but it just sits too. But its all paid for ....Bob

 

[w8ye]

There's nothing like the Silvey Pro Sharp and SDM4 versions for maintaining the corner on the grinding wheel. Whereas the Swing Arm and Razur Sharp II versions do the majority of the grinding with the wheel's corner.

 

[srcarr52]

There's nothing like the Silvey Pro Sharp and SDM4 versions for maintaining the corner on the grinding wheel. Whereas the Swing Arm and Razur Sharp II versions do the majority of the grinding with the wheel's corner.

I like the horizontal grinding of the RSII but your right about wheel life. I have an idea that should be the best of all designs.

 

[tlandrum]

ive got a cherry razr ll that i may just sell

 

[SierraWoodsman]

To go along with my RSII, I just scored An HDG-6 Raker Grinder this week.
So far I Absolutely Love the design of it! It was in pristine condition.
The guy Bought it new from Madsens some years back, said he only put through 25 or so chains through it.
I would Like to Get the Silvey 510 Round then call my collection good.

 

[SierraWoodsman]

Do you guys think pacific abrasives will keep maunfacturing the wheels for these grinders?

 

[Bill G]

I'm glad I got on the band wagon before the cut-off point.

I bought a 32 yrs old Silvey swing arm last fall and resurrected it. It is simple enough that all the normal wear items are available at the hardware store 1/4 mi down the street. The grinding wheels are still available and are the same for the Simington and the Silvey. The only thing special about the motor is that it is ball bearing.

[

Boy that ole girl looks familar:msp_biggrin::msp_biggrin:

Glad to see it found a good home

 

[Bill G]

I have some ideas for a better square grinder. I guess it's time to put them on paper and start working out the details.

Well get with it Shaun.:msp_biggrin: I bet ole Terry might sport you some cash to get a Iowa upstart company going. Iowa is a capitalist state AS IT SHOULD BE Unlike Illinois THE WELFARE STATE

 

[056kid]

The old timers just used a bench grinder to grind square chisel bits..

 

[056kid]

To go along with my RSII, I just scored An HDG-6 Raker Grinder this week.
So far I Absolutely Love the design of it! It was in pristine condition.
The guy Bought it new from Madsens some years back, said he only put through 25 or so chains through it.
I would Like to Get the Silvey 510 Round then call my collection good.

To Hell with your collection.

I am about fed up with all you men hoarding and driving up prices on valuable tools that a working man desires.

Why do I assume your a weekend warrior? Cause you have all your badass saws listed in each post!
Definitely a pro.......