How come no one makes a good 2x48 Grinder?

Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Is he still shipping them? I thought I heard he was shut down for the time being?

While the GIB will be a little cheaper, the fully setup Reeder basic kit that I listed with a VFD motor kit is only about $400 more. In my opinion, comparing the two is like comparing a VW with a Benz.
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I believe he still shipping GIB. Last I spoke to him it was the SLING grinder kits he was discontinuing.
 
Ohhh that GIB kit looks cool. For an extra $100 or so, the other kit from the YT guy can swivel so you can use it flat as well. Hmmmm...
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Ron, with your skills and equipment limitations you really should look at an assembled unit.

Also consider that if you build one from scratch it will have to be trued up and adjusted to run right. Some never run quite right because of alignment errors. You have no warranty or tech service to fall back on. All the places that sell assembled frames have aligned things and tested them to assure it runs correct.
You certainly can find a used 3Phase motor and a Chinese VFD, but they will need to be wired up and the VFD probably will need to be programmed. There have been many threads where new people have gone this route and couldn't get the grinder to run right without lots of work adjusting and learning to program the VFD.

Not pushing you to buy a Reeder, but their quality of craftsmanship is superb. Same for the ebay motor/VFD guy. First rate new product with warranty and KBAC tech service if you ever need it.

The grinder is the heart of a good knife shop. Don't try to save a few dollars on it only to regret it on every knife you make.
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I'm starting to realize and understand this. I appreciate the feedback and advice. Better start saving!
 
You could find a single phase C-face 3/4 to 1HP motor cheaply and use it on the basic package until you save enough to buy the VFD/motor package.
If you can't find one locally, I will send you one.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
You could find a single phase C-face 3/4 to 1HP motor cheaply and use it on the basic package until you save enough to buy the VFD/motor package.
If you can't find one locally, I will send you one.
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Wow, that is incredible kind, sir! I don't mind saving up. I did see the link you put up for the E-bay guy with the VFD/Motor package in another thread. Would you mind linking it again here, plz? Thanks again for all the awesome info.
 
He has 3/4 and 1HP packages. He offers 1800 and 3600RPM. I like the 1800RPM motors on a VFD unit. You need to run a grinder slower far more than faster than 1800.
This is the 1HP package for $560:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/KB-Electro...var=512829369203&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Send me an email about the motor. I have them in single and three phase.

You can buy a KBAC VFD for $238, plus the couple needed control switches for an additional $40 and use my free motor if you want to go VFD now.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AOCLKXY/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_3?smid=A3AYRF4ATT7DHX&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018GRK7YC/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_4?smid=A3U29IZ3PEDXGG&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YSKMHNG/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=A3U29IZ3PEDXGG&psc=1
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
He has 3/4 and 1HP packages. He offers 1800 and 3600RPM. I like the 1800RPM motors on a VFD unit. You need to run a grinder slower far more than faster than 1800.
This is the 1HP package for $560:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/KB-Electronics-KBAC-24D-VFD-and-Techtop-Motor-56C-Package-NEMA-4X-Belt-Grinder/323308997875?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&var=512829369203&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Send me an email about the motor. I have them in single and three phase.

You can buy a KBAC VFD for $238, plus the couple needed control switches for an additional $40 and use my free motor if you want to go VFD now.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AOCLKXY/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_3?smid=A3AYRF4ATT7DHX&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018GRK7YC/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_4?smid=A3U29IZ3PEDXGG&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YSKMHNG/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=A3U29IZ3PEDXGG&psc=1
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Thank you! You are too kind!
 
Spyke said:
I run a 2x48 that was made by 84Engineering and sold through Alec Steele Co. I’m sure I could have made a 2x72 work for my shop space but I don’t have 220 and the 2x48 works for my needs as they stand now as a newbie maker with a small shop space.
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I have the same grinder. Awesome little unit. My shop is tiny so the reduced size was the deciding factor for me. Also they are signifcantly cheaper than the equivelent 2x72, (at least here in nz)
 
Reeder's contact wheels are top quality. I would not be surprised if he machines them and has Sunray put on the rubber. He machines all the aluminum wheel in house.
Another plus on the Reeder is his tracking assembly. He had two systems, both good. He combined them so you have a coarse adjustment and then a fine adjustment. I explain it as adjusting the pitch and then adjusting the yaw. If you understand flying that will made more sense.
 
Ron Raducanu said:
Are the wheels Reeder offers for a $200 upgrade adequate?
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Yes they are. My machine tracks perfectly. The wheels are amazing. And the contact wheel is great as well. If you have any trouble with them and give Greg a call he would square you up. Stand up guys I really can’t say enough about. For why those grinders are they are a screaming deal. I would highly suggest going with a VFD whatever you do though because they are the shut.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Reeder's contact wheels are top quality. I would not be surprised if he machines them and has Sunray put on the rubber. He machines all the aluminum wheel in house.
Another plus on the Reeder is his tracking assembly. He had two systems, both good. He combined them so you have a coarse adjustment and then a fine adjustment. I explain it as adjusting the pitch and then adjusting the yaw. If you understand flying that will made more sense.
Click to expand...
I love his tracking system, I never have the belt hanging off the tracking wheel.
 
Man...you guys are killing me!

The boss says I need to make a few knives to be sure I really enjoy it before taking the plunge. Thank you all for awesome input, advice and feedback. Very much appreciated!
 
I started with a cheap HF 1x30 grinder to see how I liked knife making. It took a long time, was too weak & basically a major PITA to start with, but... It was enough to let me see that I enjoyed the process. Here's the largest knife I made with it, a chopper out of 5160. This took a while on that little grinder.

4jK0Ks8.jpg


I then made a 2x72 grinder. I didn't weld in the shop back then, but a friend did this for me. I did the design, cutting & fitting with stock from Industrial Metal Supply in Tucson, before we moved to NM. It's just a 1-speed setup, which has its own inherent limitations for grit use, but it works well enough to make things. It was a big step up from the 1" grinder.

UtuUP0p.jpg

EZuxUhQ.jpg


My point here is that with a bit of motivation, some basic tools, a friend (& being incredibly pig-headed) you can make things which work. There are lots of ways to make things. A 2x72 grinder is a great tool to have, but don't let not having everything you need stand in your way of making what you want. I still don't know of anything more satisfying than working with my hands to make something from a basic idea to a finished product.
 
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