Yes, K.O. Lee is a subsidiary of LeBlond Ltd., and LeBlond acquired it in June 2008. Knute Oscar “K.O.” Lee founded the firm in 1887 as a farm machinery sales business. See this post and this post on the history of K.O. Lee.
K.O. Lee grinders and mandrels complement LeBlond’s series of engine lathes and mills. A machinist starts a job in a cutting application on a LeBlond lathe. He or she finalizes the job on, say, a K.O. Lee Tool Post mounted grinder to put a final finish and smooth a part.
“The initial part of the process is with a LeBlond lathe, and to finish, you utilize a K.O. Lee grinder,” said Aaron Juillerat, LeBlond Ltd. General Manager.
K.O. Lee is primarily known for its Surface Grinders. The capability of the machine is vast, going from a smaller size of 6×18” to as large of a table size as 16×32. The K.O. Lee Surface Grinder has enhanced features like NC controls that allows for full, automatic operation analogous to low-cost CNC functionality.
The Universal Tool & Cutter Grinder is K.O. Lee’s hidden gem. A smaller shop can utilize a KOL40M or KOL60M for a variety of operations including sharpening, turning and small milling capability. K.O. LEE’s Universal Tool & Cutter Grinder can also be utilized as a cylindrical (O.D.) grinder for a final finish on production parts.
The machine is multi-faceted, a virtual Leatherman or Swiss Army Knife of manual machine tools. Like the Surface Grinders, K.O. Lee Universal Tool & Cutter Grinder also features NC control for full, automatic operation.
If you’re interested in new LeBlond or K.O. Lee machines or require OEM parts for your LeBlond, K.O. Lee, Standard Modern, Johnson Press, Deka Drill or W.F. & John Barnes equipment, call LeBlond at +1 (888) 532-5663 or fill out a form here.