Why twelve?

Because twelve is perfect. Literally. It’s one of only two perfect numbers in mathematics under 30. It’s divisible by 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6.

Twelve apostles. Twelve tribes of Israel. Twelve months in a year for you to regret not buying that lathe you’ve been coveting.

The Deal That Makes Sense

We’re not messing around with random discounts. Twelve percent off means real savings on real steel.

In-stock machinery only. No waiting. No excuses. No BS.

What’s in our Cincinnati warehouse right now, ready to ship?

• LeBlond Lathes
• K.O. Lee Surface Grinders
• LeBlond Drill Presses
• LeBlond Band Saws (Horizontal and Vertical)

Why Now? Why You?

Because January hits different when you’re still using that tired equipment from 2015 or earlier.

Because your competition just upgraded their shop. Again.

Because precision machining waits for no one, and neither does this sale.

The LeBlond Suite: Your Complete Shop Solution

Forget piecemeal purchasing. Get the whole package:

• RKL-1332 Lathe: Spins metal into money. Simple as that.
• LHS-10 Horizontal Band Saw: Slices through steel like a knife through butter.
• LDP-25VS Drill Press: Penetrates workpieces with the powerful precision of a heavyweight surgeon.

Need a different combination? Tell us. 

We customize orders. Mix and match until you have the shop floor setup that takes you next level.

The Fine Print (Only 3 Sentences Long!)

Purchase order required. Deposit necessary. Machines ship from our Cincinnati warehouse immediately up through year’s end.

For Educators: Make Shop Class Great Again

Teaching the TikTok generation about metalworking? No sweat!

Make it easier with equipment that actually works. Students can’t blame the tools when the tools are LeBlond.

Twelve percent off means more machines for your budget. More stations. Less waiting. More learning.

For Machine Shops: Time Is Money, Steel Is Gold

Every day you wait is money lost. Every job you can’t take because of outdated equipment is a customer gone.

Twelve percent savings today equals increased capacity tomorrow.

Do the math. It’s perfect. Like the number twelve.

Shipping That Doesn’t Suck

We deliver with security dividers and load-protect freight service. Your new machine arrives ready to work, not ready for repair.

Cincinnati to anywhere. Fast. Safe. Professional.

How to Lock in Your 12% Off

Stop reading. Start calling for 12% off LeBlond in-stock machinery.

• Call +1 (888) 532-5663 and select Option 2 (Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm ET)
• Or comment below if you’re too busy making chips

We look forward to hearing from you!

It’s built to sharpen end mills, cut gears and handle demanding tooling work day after day. But like any workhorse, it needs the right parts to keep performing.

When critical components fail, your machine goes down. Production stops. Money bleeds away while you scramble for replacement parts.

Don’t let that happen.

LeBlond Service Manager Christopher Smith has rebuilt hundreds of K.O. Lee grinders. He knows which parts fail first and why. More importantly, he knows how to make them last longer.

Here’s his insider guide to the most critical K.O. Lee tool and cutter grinder parts you need to know about.

Precision Bearings for KB943 Work Head

What it does: Keeps everything tight to zero runout on your cutting tools. No slop. No wobble. Just precise cuts that hold the tolerances you need.

When to replace: When you can’t maintain zero runout anymore. If your cuts are getting sloppy, your bearings are shot.

How to maintain:  

• Keep dirt and grinding dust away from the seals  
• Check seals regularly for damage 
• Clean your work head religiously  
• Don’t let grinding dust build up under the seals

“Not keeping the work head clean is the fastest way to destroy these bearings,” Smith warns. “Grinding dust gets underneath the seals, tears them up, then makes its way into the bearing.”

6-Inch Draw Tube for 5C Collet

Background image via Dave Somerville

What it does: Reaches through the spindle to draw the collet into the adapter. Works with the 4-inch draw tube handle and 5C collet adapter to hold your tooling.

When to replace: When threads get stripped from overtightening or when the key breaks in the collet adapter and spins the threads out.

How to maintain: 

• Keep everything clean
• Don’t get sloppy with your setup
• Avoid overtightening
• Standard use with proper care = 2-10 years of life

The lifespan depends entirely on how well you treat it. Clean operation can get you a decade. Abuse will kill it in months.

4-Inch Draw Tube with Handle & 5C Collet Adapter

What it does: The handle gives you the leverage to operate the draw tube system. The adapter holds 5C collets that grip your tooling.

When to replace: Same issues as the 6-inch tube. Stripped threads from overtightening or key failure.

How to maintain:

• Keep the collet adapter clean inside and out
• Make sure the key stays intact
• Don’t force anything
• Clean operation = years of reliable service

KB943 Drive Belt

What it does: Drives the KB943 workhead at a maximum of 400 RPM.

When to replace: When the belt gets frayed or damaged from dirt exposure. The KB943 workhead runs open, so it catches everything flying around your shop.

How to maintain:

• Keep your machine clean
• Don’t let dirt accumulate on the belt
• Expect annual replacement with daily 8-hour use

This isn’t a high-RPM application, so heat isn’t the enemy. Dirt is.

Wheel Dresser

What it does: Resurfaces your grinding wheel. Takes nicks out. Fixes uneven wear. Gets your wheel back to round and sharp.

When to replace: When the dressing wheel wears down too low or when you take a chunk out of it during operation.

How to maintain: You can’t. It’s basically a hand tool. When it’s done, it’s done.

Replacement frequency:

• Grinding shops running all day: 2-3 per year
• Machine shops with occasional grinding: 1-2 years

Once you buy the complete kit, you only need to replace the wheels. They’re inexpensive.

5C Collet Adapter

What it does: Holds 5C collets that grip your cutting tools and workpieces.

When to replace: When improper use damages the internal surfaces or when the key gets damaged.

How to maintain:

• Never put dirty collets into the adapter
• Keep grime out of the internal surfaces
• Make sure the key stays intact
• Clean everything before assembly

KB943 Workhead Housing

What it does: Houses the precision spindle system for your 5C collets and cutting tools. This is the heart of your tool grinding operation.

When to replace: Rarely. But when bearings fail and the outer race starts spinning, it can wear down the housing. At that point, bearings won’t hold properly, and you need a new housing.

How to maintain:

• Check inner and outer seals regularly
• Keep everything clean
• Address bearing problems before they destroy the housing

This is an expensive replacement that you can avoid with proper maintenance.

The Bottom Line on Maintenance

Every K.O. Lee expert will tell you the same thing: cleanliness and lubrication are everything.

Smith sees the same problems over and over:

• Grinding dust buildup destroying seals
• Lack of proper lubrication wearing out threads
• Dirty operation contaminating precision components

Regular maintenance can counter these issues. Here’s what to do:

Background image via Andy Kamashian

Modern K.O. Lee grinders come with maintenance schedules printed right on the machine. Older machines don’t have this luxury. But the principles remain the same.

Keep it clean. Keep it oiled. Address problems before they cascade into expensive failures.

Your K.O. Lee tool and cutter grinder is built to last decades. Give it the care it deserves, and it will keep delivering precision cuts long after cheaper machines have hit the scrap heap.

Contact LeBlond For K.O. Lee Tool & Cutter Grinder Parts

When you do need replacement parts, don’t settle for questionable aftermarket components. Your precision work demands genuine K.O. Lee parts that meet original specifications.

Contact LeBlond for genuine K.O. Lee replacement parts and expert service. We’ve been keeping these machines running for decades:

• Find online parts ON THIS PAGE.
• Call +1 (888) 532-5663 (Monday-Friday 8am- 4:30pm ET) & select Option 1.
• Or leave a comment below!

We look forward to hearing from you! 

Banner background image via Andy Kamashian

Phil is a machinist who supplies parts for the automotive industry. 

Uptick in Business?

He expects business to pick up with a flurry of recent trade deals, especially the latest with the European Union that “halves the existing tariff rate on Europe’s auto sector,” according to CNBC.

Why is Phil gambling?

He knows he needs a lathe for the new business on the horizon. He has a 2025 budget that is “use it or lose it.”

Buy equipment by year-end or lose the funds.

The tariff situation still has Phil on the fence. He’s considering a used lathe on eBay.

This is where Phil doesn’t realize he’s gambling.

You don’t know what you’re getting with a used machine. What if there’s a problem with a headstock gear? That could cost thousands of dollars.

Are parts for a non-LeBlond even available? We provide OES parts all the way back to 1938.

Competitors? 

Replacement parts are unlikely if the machine is older than this millenium.

Phil’s best hand to play is to buy an in-stock lathe from LeBlond. A great number of our available machine inventory has zero tariff charges.

With new LeBlond machinery, Phil has zero surprises. If something goes wrong, he has a warranty. 

One-year parts and service. For shops outside of the United States, two-year parts protection.

Phil’s winning hand includes CNC equipment.

LeBlond’s In-Stock Educational Machinery Is an Ace in the Hole

Suppose Phil is an educator. He has a grant that runs out by year’s end to buy new equipment for students to learn on.

He could play a winning hand like the Midwest school that grew up on LeBlonds from the 1950s. They liked the quality. Liked the parts support.

This school bought seven educational lathes to auger in the next generation of machinists.

LeBlond’s Ace High: More Than Lathes

Back to Phil as the machinist for the shop supplying parts to the auto industry.

He needs more than lathes. A surface grinder would be nice to apply a smooth finish to a workpiece.

Phil doesn’t want to deal with the hassle of negotiating with multiple suppliers. All the exhausting details with shipping and other logistics.

Again, LeBlond is Phil’s best card. We are a one-stop supplier for all your machine tool needs.

Need a band saw? We have both horizontal and vertical. Both in stock with no tariff drama.

If Phil buys multiple in-stock machines, he gets volume pricing discounts.

How about a drill press in case he has to punch out holes?

LeBlond has it all with lead times guaranteed with end-of-year shipping.

Phil knows buying anything new can be a gamble. Buying in-stock equipment from LeBlond deals him the best card.

For a Winning Hand, Explore LeBlond’s In-Stock Inventory

• Call +1 (888) 532-5663 (Monday-Friday 8am- 4:30pm ET) & select Option 2.
• Or leave a comment below!

We look forward to hearing from you! 

You’re staring down a bill of around $30k for a new machine that is used to sharpen, shape and recondition cutting tools such as drills, milling cutters, reamers, taps and others.

But here’s the truth: you may not need one.

Call LeBlond’s service team. They can assess your situation and the option to rebuild your K.O. Lee workhead.

The Warning Signs

Your workhead is screaming for help if:

* You can’t turn the spindle by hand

* The drive V-belt keeps popping and breaking apart

* Your tooling shows runout (translation: your spindle isn’t running true)

* Rust has invaded your bearings

Inside the K.O. Lee Tool Cutter Workhead Rebuild Process

We strip down your workhead to its core components. The cast aluminum housing usually survives, but everything else gets a hard look.

Most rebuilds focus on:

* Installing new bearings and seals

* Replacing damaged spindles

* Setting precise preload tolerances

* Testing for zero runout

The Test Chamber

Your rebuilt workhead isn’t leaving our shop until it passes our thorough testing protocol:

* Variable speed drive motor testing

* Temperature monitoring (111°F/44°C max)

* Precision runout testing on a granite table

* Zero-tolerance policy for bearing noise or vibration

The Real Numbers

Let’s talk ROI:

* New Tool & Cutter Grinder: Around $30k

* Standard Workhead Rebuild: Few Thousands

* Warranty: 60 days

* Expected Lifespan: 3-4 years with proper maintenance

Maintaining Your Investment

Want to maximize your rebuild’s lifespan? Follow these critical steps:

* Clean the workhead after every use

* Blow out debris regularly

* Check spindle runout before each operation

* Monitor coolant infiltration

* Stay within the 400 RPM speed limit

The Bottom Line

A rebuilt workhead delivers precision performance around 10% of a new machine’s cost. Your rebuilt unit will handle everything from basic tool sharpening to precision gear cutting, maintaining zero runout for perfect cuts every time.

Don’t trash your tool & cutter grinder when the workhead fails. A professional rebuild will get you back to making chips for a fraction of the cost of new equipment.

Need a K.O. Tool & Cutter Grinder Workhead Rebuild?

• Call +1 (888) 532-5663 (Monday – Friday 8am-5pm ET) and select Option 3.
• Or leave a comment below!

We look forward to hearing from you! 

We at LeBlond don’t advise stuffing the Christmas stocking with small gifts or candy.

Put a chuck for a K.O. Lee grinder in the stocking instead!

And what specific chuck do you need for surface grinding, a precision machining process that requires reliable workpiece holding? 

The chuck you choose can significantly impact your grinding efficiency, precision and overall machining experience.

This post details three different types of common surface grinder chucks and how to select the best one for your machine shop or classroom.

Understanding Surface Grinder Chucks

A surface grinder chuck is more than just an accessory—it’s a critical component that holds your workpiece securely during the grinding process. 

Just like a three-jaw chuck on a lathe, a surface grinder chuck ensures your workpiece remains stable and precisely positioned throughout the machining operation.

Three Chuck Options: Permanent Magnetic, Electromagnetic & Fine Pole

Let’s detail these grinder workholding options.

Permanent Magnetic Chuck: Simplicity & Cost-Effectiveness

The permanent magnetic chuck offers a straightforward, budget-friendly solution for surface grinding. 

This chuck doesn’t require any electrical hookup, making it an attractive option for smaller surface grinders like our KOL-618 model with a 6” x 18” (152.4 x 457.2mm) table.

Key features of the permanent magnetic chuck include:

– Mechanical lever activation for magnetizing

– No electrical requirements

– No heat generation

– Lower cost compared to electromagnetic options

Operation is simple: a lever engages and disengages the magnetic hold. Once activated, the chuck provides a reliable grip on your metal workpiece without any additional power input.

Electromagnetic Chuck: Versatility & Easy Workpiece Handling

Electromagnetic chucks bring a more dynamic approach to workpiece holding. 

These chucks use electrical current to generate a magnetic field, providing a flexible and easily adjustable clamping solution.

Standout characteristics of electromagnetic chucks include:

– Switch-controlled magnetization

– Ability to vary magnetic force

– Quick workpiece removal

– Requires an auto-demagnetizer for operation

The electromagnetic chuck allows machinists to quickly add and remove workpieces with a simple switch. However, it comes with considerations like electrical dependency and potential power fluctuation risks.

Fine Pole Chuck: Precision for Smaller Workpieces

Fine pole chucks are a specialized solution designed for holding smaller workpieces with exceptional precision. 

The key difference lies in the magnet configuration—magnets are positioned closer together, enabling secure gripping of smaller components.

Benefits of fine pole chucks:

– Optimized for smaller workpiece holding

– Closer magnet positioning

– Enhanced grip on compact parts

What Surface Grinder Chuck Is Best for Me?

When selecting a chuck, consider your specific machining requirements. 

For our smaller surface grinders like the KOL-618, you have the flexibility to choose between permanent magnetic, electromagnetic and fine pole chucks.

As surface grinder size increases, your options become more limited. Larger machines like our KOL-1020HS model exclusively offer electromagnetic chucks. 

This progression reflects the increasing complexity and power requirements of larger grinding equipment.

Cost & Practicality

Permanent magnetic chucks typically represent the most cost-effective option. Electromagnetic chucks not only have a higher initial cost but also require an additional auto-demagnetizer, further increasing the investment.

Most machine shops will select one chuck type that best suits their primary workpiece requirements. It’s uncommon to switch between chuck types frequently, so choose wisely based on your most common machining tasks.

Contact LeBlond for K.O. Lee Surface Grinder Accessories

So we have three chuck options for machinist stocking stuffers, especially good ones if the machinist in your life is into surface grinding.

You just might need a slightly larger stocking to hang over the fireplace!

Whether you prioritize cost-effectiveness, workpiece versatility or precision for smaller components, there’s a chuck solution designed to enhance your surface grinding performance.

Interested in a K.O. surface grinder, a chuck or other accessories?

• Call +1 (888) 532-5663 (Monday – Friday 8am-5pm ET) and select Option 2.
• Or visit THIS PAGE to review our lineup of manual and automatic K.O. Lee grinders where you can explore different models and popular accessories.
• Or leave a comment below!

We look forward to hearing from you! 

Steely new LeBlond and K.O. Lee machinery for your machine shop or classroom?

What’s the steal, exactly, you ask?

Halloween without candy?

Thanksgiving without a cooked bird?

Christmas without jolly St. Nick?

No.

Fa-La-La-La-La-Ka-Ching

We are decking the end-of-year halls with bands of steel-y machine tools where you can save UP TO 15% OFF NEW EQUIPMENT.

While visions of sugarplums dance in most folks’ heads this holiday season, we know what really gets machinists stoked — the sweet whir of a new lathe and the intoxicating aroma of fresh metal shavings. 

Well, prepare yourselves, machine tool aficionados, because LeBlond is playing Santa this year, and our warehouse is bursting with gifts.

What’s in Santa LeBlond’s sack of goodies, you ask?

* K.O. Lee Grinders (both Surface Grinders and Tool Cutters)

* LeBlond Drill Presses (Table Size: 18.3’ x 14.2” or 46.482cm x 36.068cm)

* LeBlond Band Saws (Both Horizontal & Vertical)

* LeBlond Lathes (From 14″ to 26″ Swing over Bed)

* LeBlond Vertical Knee Mills

What’s the Catch?

To take advantage of the promo, you must put a deposit down with your Purchase Order. The machine must ship before year-end.

The More, The Merrier

In the market for a multitude of machine tools?

Whether you’re a machinist looking to step up your game, a buyer trying to stock the shop floor or an educator attempting to make metalworking cool for the TikTok generation, we’ve got you covered. 

Our LeBlond Suite is more popular than ugly Christmas sweaters at an office party.

You can get the following:

* RKL-1332 Lathe: It spins. It turns. It’s basically a merry-go-round for metal.

* LVM 9″x48″ Vertical Knee Mill: More multidimensional than Rudolph with GPS; it allows cutting, surfacing, facing, etc.

* LHS-10 Horizontal Band Saw: Carve the turkey easily by making horizontally downward cuts in the workpiece.

* LDP-25VS Drill Press: Drill, baby, drill into that workpiece instead of the holiday eggnog.

Customized Machine Quotes

Don’t need this exact combination of machines? Let us know. 

We can customize what you need, so you have a full Suite like the kid at Halloween with full-size candy bars in her bag.

Get Precision & Productivity by Year’s End

By investing in heavily discounted top-of-the-line machine tools, you’ll set yourself up for a new year full of precision, productivity and the envy of every other machine shop on the block.

Remember, this offer is up to 15% off select LeBlond and K.O. Lee machinery.

When you order from LeBlond, we’ll safely deliver your new machine with a security divider or a load and protect freight service, ensuring your equipment arrives ready to work.

Don’t let this offer disappear faster than cookies left out for Santa. 

• Call (888) 532-5663 and select Option 2 (Monday – Friday 8am-5pm ET) to discuss pricing and discounts. 
• Or leave a comment below, and we’ll contact you.

We look forward to hearing from you!

We’ll cover the tools you need and get you past roadblocks that can pop up during the process:

If you need assistance with a K.O. Lee spindle rebuild or parts for the process,

• Call us at +1 (888) 532-5663 and select Option 3 (Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm ET)
• Or leave a comment below.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Video Transcript

Hey guys, it’s Christopher Smith here with LeBlond. We’re going to talk to you today not about lathes. We’re going to be talking about the KO lee surface grinders that we also service and also sell as well. So what we’re starting off with here is a KO Lee, KB 6 0 5 5 CL spindle. We do a lot of rebuilds for these and it’s not just the 6 0 5 5 CL that we rebuilt. We rebuilt quite a few of ’em and see I’ve got a folder here of just a few of ’em that we do, but there’s probably about 20 or 30 of ’em that we do for the KO Lee line as well and also our log book. So customer sent this one in and it has seen a lot of work. It’s probably one of the ones that’s probably in the worst shape that I have ever seen that I have not been able to get a part.

So we have got the customer to buy a new one and we’ll go over that. As you can see, this is the inside of the Quill assembly. This is your spindle, these are your bearings with your spacer. You can see this bearing is locked up and you can see the damage to it. There’s a lot of wear here on the arbor as well where your grinding wheel is going to sit. So here’s one of the lock nuts with the seal in it as well and you can see this was on the back end not even exposed to the coolant and got pretty damaged. And the reason why I’ve chosen to rebuild it is if you look here, I’ve seen blasted this. This was in pretty bad shape when it came in, but it is just, the wall is just too thin for me to get my wrench on that pulls these out.

You can see here’s a wrench that would go in there and it just keeps popping. I thought about taking a punch and going in there, but I’m worried about messing up the threads which would ultimately in turn damage the seal causing not to seal again when they started using cold sew. So this one is going to be going to the trash and we’re going to build a new one. And here’s what’s all involved inside the new ones. You got your housing here, which I’ll need to stamp up with the KBS 6 0 5 5 CL part number and then what we’ll also do, we’ll put a LeBron serial number, that way we can record it. If whoever comes in, I’ll know when it was shipped out for warranty purposes as well. Now I’ll tell you, you’ve got the canoe surface. Any or quill, it needs to be rebuilt with a rebuilt.

It’s generally just your nuts, seals and your bearings generally that we have to replace. A lot of times your spindle will be just fine. Your end caps can be reused. If they’re rusting dirty, we can clean those up, sandblast ’em, solvent tank, get them all good and clean. Big thing you want to do with your bearings, these are high speed precision bearings and as you can see there’s no grease them as well. We take a syringe with high temp lithium grease and I will pack these all in and set it all in and test it. Now when it’s all together, the end result is going to be this right here, this is the KV S 8 0 5 5 cl. You can see nice and smooth, no sounds whatsoever as you turn it and I’ll go over showing you at the end after we get it built, how we test run these procedures for that these to look for and all that good stuff.

So let’s get started. Hey guys, so we’re here. I’ve got, while the bearing’s already done, I’ve already went ahead and stuck the other two and built the other side. Sure you know how I pack these bearings. Like I said, I just got this syringe that I keep filling up so that’s why it’s kind of messy. But I’m going to get it down in here and try to get this grease and don’t worry about the overflow because you want to get as much grease inside these as possible at the low line. These are running at 3,400 RPM and the high end you’re running at 7,450 RPM. So I’ll shoot the inside and then I’ll go ahead and shoot the other and was going to take my finger and just work it all around trying to get as much in as I possibly can and it’s going to be messy.

You might be thinking to yourself, Connolly, he’s wasting a lot. You take that, got my cup, wipe it off. You don’t want to have too much excess and you just wipe off with their weight. This grease is expensive. Now I’ve got it packed. I’m going to go ahead and roll it a couple times just to make sure it’s in there and it’s going to cause some of that that I packed to come out again as well. So I’m going to go ahead and work it in again. That way I know I’ve got maximum coverage that I can get.

Okay, so now I feel pretty good about this. Got my quill locked into the vice. Now further drawings, these bearings are directional and it took me a little bit of while to understand that but what can we show you here? So the skinny side goes down inside first and what I mean by the skinny side is the outer race here. If you see how kind of thin it is and you see this gap difference, but then I flipped this over this side, you can see this side of the race is a little bit thicker and that gap pain is wide so it’s going to go down in there like that with a thin going in.

I will work that in,

They’ll wipe my fingers off and I’ve already got the nuts seal on the other side so it’s all kind of locked in. And now we’re just going to drive this down. Now to do that I have the special made sleeve I put on there this little slide over and I’m going to get a light wing tapping it. Next up are our spacers and there’s two of them with the groove and the groove is going to face towards the outside Before I put those in, just use a little bit of oil wild just to help these two on the running running. They’ll help keep it from getting hot. Those are on my W sleeve here. Drive it down, little down, you’ll hear the sound difference and it ain’t going to move anymore. Spacer lifting up that big deal actually slides in pretty easy And for our next bearing, and again you say it’s directional, got the fat side there, then side there, then we’ll be facing how

Work that on good launch plunge,

Set her down and seat it. Okay, now with that in place we go ahead and wipe off any of this excess grease on the spindle itself and the nut seal is going to go in and that’s what’s going to seal it and keep basically around and cooling. Keep the colon from getting inside, getting to the bearings and any other your dust debris from GR meat. We always put a little shim on and I’ll explain to you what that does here in a second. So start with a shim, go on and the next is the nut seal. Now for the nut seal we take blue thread locker. This is just the medium strength so you can get it off, but what it’s going to do, it’s going to seal up the threads so nothing can pass through and get down inside,

Go on

The excess. Now here’s where it gets a little bit crucial where you got to pay attention and not get carried away. So here to tighten this up and you don’t need to put any kind of torque or squeeze on it. I’m going to bring it down just to a touch like so. And that’s all you need. You can give it a spin feel that’s gliding real nice and easy and that’s all you need. And the thread locker is also going to help keep that from backing out as you’re running too as well as long as working as a seal. Now the reason for the shim, it’s got to give us a little bit of a guess when we put the cap on, the shims can actually hit on here and lift it up a bit so it’s not running metal to metal in here.

Alan

Need to get it by this. It’s a little tight with these new seals performed.

Cool. Yeah, that kind the worship of credit, right? That

Your own just still a spinning freely. Flip it over. See we’ve already got the seals and the barrels and on this side. Got it.

They are in a same town.

These new seals are really good and tight. Long bit of encouragement.

Hi SM, we will

Wipe out the access Lay Hammond ice and smooth. Now we’re going to take it over to the bench and we’ll show you how we set it up and test it. Hey guys. So we got the quill all back together and we are going to test it now so we make sure it’s good for the customer to use. So all over here I’ll show you how we test it. So we’ve got this quill holder that we have and I mounted it to the table of our mill. I’ve added a pulley on the end of the quill here that our belt will go in and run in. So what we’ll do, we’ll just slide this in here. So clamper down ta. Now we will get this up and running at 3000 RPM and we’ll run it for a half hour with a temperature and to make sure we don’t get overheated, we’d like to see you anywhere from 1 0 8 to one 11 is a good temperature. So we know we’re good to go. So grab my belt here, got my other pulley set up here on single and bitter stream contention, yield, hit. Now we’re up and running so you can see we’re only at 1600 RRP N. So we’ll bump that up.

Stomach temperature here,

You would tweak it on to fall,

Start to fall for a half hour. And yeah, we’ll come back and we’ll check the temperature. But really that’s all that there is to this. Make sure it’s running good. Then we’ll also check the tap, make sure there is small movement. If we’re done, we’ll stamp up part number and should be ready to go for the customer. We guys, you have any questions about that or want to see any other kind of video, they’re like this hopeful. Please let us know what you thought. And yeah, reach out to us@leblondusa.com and we’ll do what we can new to help you. Thank you.

• What is a KO Lee or Kolee machine?
• Short History of the K.O. Lee Company
• LeBlond LDT. and KO Lee
• K.O. Lee Machine Types
• The Main K.O. Lee Machine Components
• Contact LeBlond for a K.O. Lee Machine or OES Parts
• KEY TAKEAWAYS

What is a KO Lee or Kolee Machine?

K.O. Lee machines, like surface grinders and tool cutters, are highly regarded for their durability, accuracy and reliability, making them a popular choice among machinists, toolmakers and manufacturers.

Short History of the K.O. Lee Company

Founded in Aberdeen, North Dakota, in the late 19th century, K.O. Lee has a rich history of providing top-notch manual machine tools, including grinders, expanding mandrels and OES parts. 

Today, K.O. Lee continues to thrive as a LeBlond Ltd. subsidiary, offering a wide range of tools and parts to meet the diverse needs of machine tool enthusiasts. 

Let’s delve into the fascinating journey of this iconic company.

The Early Years

K.O. Lee, short for Knute Oscar Lee, embarked on his entrepreneurial journey in 1888 when he registered the K.O. Lee Company. Initially, the company focused on selling farm parts and equipment, laying the foundation for what would become a renowned name in manufacturing.

LeBlond LTD and K.O. Lee

In 1915, K.O. Lee joined forces with his son, Clifford Carl “C.C.” Lee, as a partner in the business. Over the years, they adapted to the changing technological landscape, shifting their focus from steam engines to gasoline tractors, threshing machines and plows.

The outbreak of World War II jump-started the company that went into overdrive to produce industrial tool grinder lines and other equipment for the Allies.

In the 1960s, K.O. Lee jumped into surface grinders and the company grew to the point that by 1981, it had 127,000 square feet of manufacturing, warehouse and office space.

In 2008, after careful consideration, the K.O. Lee Company was bought by LeBlond Ltd., ensuring that the legacy of quality and reliability associated with the K.O. Lee brand continues to thrive.

K.O. Lee Machine Types

These machines are known for their precision and quality in various metalworking applications. Some common types of K.O. Lee (or kolee) machines include:

Universal Cutter Grinders

Used for sharpening and grinding cutting tools such as end mills, drills and reamers. These machines are essential in tool and die shops as well as manufacturing facilities.

Surface Grinders

Used for precision surface grinding of workpieces. Surface grinders are commonly used in metalworking and toolmaking industries to achieve smooth and flat surfaces on materials.

Expanding Mandrels

Used to hold and support workpieces during machining operations. These mandrels are adjustable, allowing for secure and precise clamping of various workpiece sizes and shapes.

The Main K.O. Lee Machine Components

Here are some of the main components found in K.O. Lee grinders:

Bed: the base or foundation of the machine that provides stability and support for all other components. It is typically made of cast iron and is designed to maintain rigidity during machining.

Table: the movable platform that holds the workpiece and moves it about the grinding wheel or cutting tool. It can be adjusted both longitudinally and crosswise to position the workpiece accurately.

Spindle: it rotates the grinding wheel or cutting tool. It ensures that the grinding action is precise and controlled. K.O. Lee machines are known for their high-quality spindles that contribute to accurate results.

For more information about K.O Lee machine components, tap HERE.

Contact LeBlond for a K.O. Lee Machine & OES Parts

The journey of K.O. Lee is a testament to the spirit of innovation, dedication to quality and adaptability in the face of changing times. 

From its humble beginnings as a farm machinery sales business to becoming a global leader in manual machine tools, K.O. Lee’s legacy lives on through LeBlond, providing enthusiasts and professionals with the tools and parts they need to shape the future of machining.

If you are interested in pricing for a K.O. Lee (or kolee) machine, please get in touch:

• Please leave a comment, and we’ll be happy to help.
• Call a LeBlond Sales Engineer at +1 (888) 532-5663 and dial Option 2 (Monday – Friday 8am-5pm ET)

We look forward to hearing from you!

• Request for Quote for Manufacturing Parts
• How Does Our New Industrial Components Tool Work?
• What Are You Waiting For?
• Our Machine Components Are OES. Huh!?
• Need Online Quoting for Machines? We Have You Covered!
• Get Parts & Reduce Costs with a High-Speed Lathe
• Here’s Where the Manufacturing Begins! 
• Why Does Quote Customization Matter?
• Try Out Our New Inventory Available Feature & Get Free Merch
• Key Takeaways

You need manufacturing parts or machine tool replacement parts for LeBlond and its sister product lines.

You know better than to ask for a catalog and want the convenience of online shopping.

Are you stuck with eBay and Amazon?

No longer!

Yes, we have a new online system with some eCommerce capabilities. We also have a spectacular offer to promote this new Inventory Available feature. Get details at the end of this post!

Request for Quote for Manufacturing Parts

With our New Inventory Available Feature, you’ll be able to build your request for a quote for the following manufacturing parts brands:

• LeBlond
• K.O. Lee
• Standard Modern
• Johnson Press & Deka Drill

How Does Our New Industrial Components Tool Work?

LeBlond understands how difficult it is to find the exact part that your vintage machine tool needs.

Our new feature will make it easy for you to find them per brand as shown below.

Currently, we feature Deka Drill and Johnson Press parts with LeBlond, K.O. Lee, and Standard Modern parts coming soon.

While navigating the product pages, you’ll see the updated inventory parts photos of our fast-moving parts. You can select the desired part and quantity.

 If you don’t see the part you’re looking for, don’t stress. 

It’s business as usual. Just click or tap the custom quote button, fill in the information, submit and we’ll contact you!

We have hundreds of parts in-house. If your desired part is not in stock, we most likely have the prints to have it made!

Add a part by selecting “ADD TO RFQ”. RFQ stands for Request for Quote.

Choose as many parts as you need and after you’re done, scroll to the top or button of the page. You’ll see a “Product successfully added to RFQ – VIEW RFQ” button.

This will take you to a “check out page” where you’ll see a list of the items you have selected.

Keep scrolling and you’ll find a short form that will ask for your contact information, billing address, shipping information, a “How Did You Hear About Us?” question with options as well as a section to include questions or comments.

Let’s review each of these sections and highlight some key elements.

Contact Information

We’ll review your information, keep it private and track your quote effectively.

Billing Address

This section is vital for RFQ processing, order verification, security, legal compliance, and customer convenience. We adhere to the strictest standards to protect your data.

Shipping Information

You’ll find this section divided into UPS and UPS Shipping Information.

UPS

You’ll be able to select whether you want prepaid or collect shipping. The key difference between prepaid and collect shipping is who covers the shipping costs.

Prepaid shipping involves the shipper paying upfront while collect shipping involves the recipient using their internal UPS account for shipping charges.

Another form field asks for your UPS account number if collect.

UPS Shipping Information

Has three options for you to choose from: Ground, 2nd Day Air and Red. 

Here are details on the three UPS options:

• Ground Shipping: Economical, slower option for non-time-sensitive shipments.
• 2nd Day Air: Expedited service with delivery guaranteed within two business days.
• Next Day Air (Red Shipping): Expedited service with delivery guaranteed on the next business day.

“How Did You Hear About Us?”

This section is essential because it provides LeBlond with valuable information to improve our online systems and overall quality, allowing us to create better content such as this blog or a YouTube tutorial.

Questions and Comments

Any comment or question is welcome. Here at LeBlond, we strongly believe that your opinion has a powerful impact. You’re a key contributor!

What Are You Waiting For?

You now know how it works. Now try it! We might have a mystery gift for you. Keep scrolling for details!

Our Machine Components Are OES. Huh!?

Yes, “OES” stands for “Original Equipment Supplier”.

OES parts are designed to meet the exact specifications of the original parts installed by the manufacturer. 

These quality parts are often used in maintenance and repair to ensure compatibility and performance comparable to the original equipment.

Manufacturers lacking the capability to produce Original Equipment Supplier (OES) components lack access to the authentic blueprints and schematics needed for crafting these quality parts. 

Consequently, these components will not adhere to precise specifications, potentially leading to significant complications like: 

• Substandard aftermarket parts have a reduced operational lifespan, requiring more frequent replacements than OES counterparts.
• Misalignment between the aftermarket part and the machine’s other components may result in collateral damage, given the aftermarket part’s deviation from exact specifications.
• And more!

Need Online Quoting for Machines? We Have You Covered!

We have a Custom Quote feature too for new machines.

If you haven’t used it, here’s a brief explanation. 

Choose from lathes to CNC milling machines. 

First, click here to visit our Machine Sales page.

Select the machine type:

We’ll choose a lathe

Next, choose the machine model

We chose the RKL-1800 (18” Swing) – Gearhead Spindle

Next, choose the Center Distance

We chose the RKL1800G (18” Swing) – Geared Head Spindle – 90”

 Click on “Add to Your Custom Quote”

You’ll land on a form where you’ll add another quote or finalize your request.

Next, review your information and decide if you wish to add another machine or finalize your machine quote. Click on “FINALIZE YOUR MACHINE QUOTE”. 

Fill out your billing information and click on “Submit Your Quote Request” when you’re done.

Additionally, you can add accessories like a DRO, for example. If you want to know more about DROs we suggest you visit THIS POST.

Get Parts & Reduce Costs with a High-Speed Lathe 

Lathes are machines used for machining operations, specifically turning. 

Turning is a process in which a cylindrical workpiece is rotated against a cutting tool, and material is removed from the workpiece to create a desired shape.

Lathes are commonly used to produce parts with rotational symmetry, such as cylinders, cones, and spheres. They can be used to create a variety of components, including shafts, bolts, nuts, and other similar parts. 

Here’s Where the Manufacturing Begins! 

Want to know more about Precision High-Speed Lathes and production methods? 

What is a swing or center distance? 

Click here to get into the details of these machines of precision and reliability. Get ready to lower your production time with our top machinery.  

Why Does Quote Customization Matter?

Customized quotes address your specific needs and preferences. We tailor your instant quote to your situation and address your concerns directly.

Thanks to our Inventory Feature with eCommerce capabilities, you’ll benefit from online shopping with more security (humans handle payments).

• Grasp the details of the machine or part you want.
• Get an instant quote 
• Choose OES parts easily using different categories and options
• 100% Intuitive

Try Out Our New Inventory Available Feature & Get Free Merch

HURRY! 

The first ten people who submit a parts RFQ through our Inventory Available tool will get FREE LeBlond merch like t-shirts, koozies, hats, and more!

We hope this post has been helpful in detailing how to build custom quotes for quality parts and new machines.

• If you have any specific questions about the Inventory Available feature or machinery, please leave a comment and we’ll be happy to help.
• To use our new tool, click or tap HERE and look for the Inventory Available menu option at the top of the page.
• Or call us at (888) 532-5663 and select Option 2.

We look forward to hearing from you!

LeBlond has cost-friendly K.O. Lee manual and automatic surface grinders that more than measure up quality-wise to the more expensive options, giving you a comparable grinding finish.

If you are having trouble deciding which way to go – automatic or manual– read further for a better understanding of the difference between the two options.

What is Surface Grinding?

Surface grinding is a finishing process that uses a rotating abrasive wheel to smooth the flat surface of metallic or nonmetallic materials to give them a more refined look by removing the oxide layer and impurities on workpiece surfaces. This will also attain a desired surface for a functional purpose.

How is a Surface Grinder Used?

A surface grinding machine uses a round, rotating, abrasive grinding wheel that remains stationary, but rotating. At the same time, the feed table with the work attached runs in a left-to-right reciprocating motion under the grinding wheel.

The exact amount of material to be removed is determined by lightly touching off on the work as the grinding wheel rotates and feeding the grinding head down a certain distance.

Manuals or Automatics – What is the Difference?

The clear difference between automatic and manual surface grinders is in the way they are handled while performing grinding operations. From this point, with manual surface grinders, the operator would then need to run the table left and right with one hand wheel while cross-feeding with the other hand wheel.

If doing automatic surface grinding, the operator would be able to run the table left and right automatically while cross-feeding automatically, as well. They would simply need to set the down feed and stroke.

The Benefits of Surface Grinding

Surface grinders are able to grind very hard or abrasive materials such as:

• Cast iron

• Mild steel
• Stainless steel

• Aluminum

• Brass

• Some plastics

Other benefits of surface grinding include:

• A high degree of dimensional accuracy
• Produces surface textures of a very high finish
• Tooling is more cost efficient
• Work holding is simpler because of the magnetic chuck

Advantage of Automatic Grinders

Surface grinding using automatic grinders is much more cost efficient for mass production as they are able to produce quality work that is repetitive.

Advantage of Manual Grinders

However, when the required machining cycle is relatively slow, and for special workpieces or machining tasks, manual surface grinding can handle more complex machining tasks that are difficult to program.

Contact LeBlond for K.O. Lee Surface Grinders

If you have been looking to add a machine that will help you keep tight tolerances and improve the appearances of your workpieces, then you are indeed in need of one of LeBlond’s K.O. Lee surface grinders.

For more information on a K.O. Lee surface grinding machine, click or tap the button below to build a custom quote. Or call us +1 (888) 532-5663 and choose Option 2.

We look forward to hearing from you!