Bader space saver

J. Hoffman

J. Hoffman

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jan 1, 2011
Messages
1,770
Does anyone use a Bader Space Saver? If you do, how do you like it. I'm looking for advantages and disadvantages. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks
Jess
 
Unless they have another grinder by that name, the Bader Space Saver is a floor mount industrial grinder. IIRC, it runs either a 3" or 4" belt. The name is misleading, as it is a pretty big piece of equipment. It usually runs a large contact wheel, and has a BIG 3 phase motor. You can rotate the whole machine to adjust the wheel height for proper posture when grinding.

While a big production shop might have use for one, a hobbyist or small shop will not. I had one offered to me for free a few years back including the big dust collector for it, and passed on taking it. I didn't have any place to put the things.
 
It's set up with a 1" small wheel right now, but has the ability to run anything from 1/2" -3" wide. Yes it's a big machine and I never understood the reason behind the name. I'm looking at the advantages of the longer belt. It's a 2hp 3ph unit (which isn't a problem). I was just thinking it would be a great dedicated 14" contact wheel set-up especially with the 132" belt.
 
I'm ASSUMING a 132" belt will last approximately twice as long as a 72" belt in the same width, give or take. So if you can find 132" belts in the type you need for less than twice the price of a 72" belt, I suppose you could save some money running a longer belt. Dedicated setups are nice too, especially if you're doing production style work.

Now, if there's no disparity between the price per inch of each length of belt, and you can find a similar quality 2x72 for a similar price, I'd probably just go with a 2x72. You'll probably REALLY save some space, and you won't have to worry about finding belts.

Again, depends on what the machine and the belts are going to cost you, and of course, what condition its in.
 
The "space saver" name is comparing the unit to the big cabinet type grinders in many industrial shops. The unit bolts to the floor, and doesn't need a cabinet.

If you ran a 14" dedicated wheel on it and did a lot of hollow grinding and such, then it would be useful. It would also be not to hard to make a dedicated wet grinder from one. Adding Nathan's swinging parallelogram grinding arm would make it even more useful ... all assuming you have enough free floor to place it in.

The 2X132" belts are about the same price per inch as a 2X72. The biggest advantage is they run a bit cooler as the belt takes longer to come back around. If you hollow grind freehand, it would be a great machine.
 
I'd love to have one. If you need to remove shitloads of steel FAST, a big, fast, high horsepower grinder like this is a boon. Pretty sure the Stagmer brothers have a bunch of these, too. If you've watched any of their videos on YouTube, you can regularly see them flatgrinding lengthwise on the wheel - quick way to clean up your forge flats, and the machine provides lots of space to do big pieces. All, of course, assuming you have the space for the Space Saver. ;)
 
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