Newbie with 2x72 belt grinder recomendations

D

Dangerruss

Joined
Dec 2, 2017
Messages
1
Hello all, I am in the market for a 2x72 belt grinder. I have a budget of 800-900. I am considering the OBM single speed. Use will be for making blades..as a hobby not a business. I appreciate all the knowledge that you guys share, Thank you!
 
Do you have any interest in building your own grinder? Fairly easy to do if you've got a decent drill press and will save you maybe $300 (maybe a tad more) and get you in your budget range. Better is a $1,000 budget. Do you have 220 vac available? Or can get it? "IF" you're limited to 120vac then add another $300 or so to the budget.

DON'T EVEN CONSIDER A SINGLE SPEED!!!! NOT EVEN A 3 SPEED PULLEY SETUP

The only really big problem with 120 is the limited choice of VFD you have. 120vac pretty much limits to a KBAC drive. Even with a KBAC drive get a 2hp motor and "derate" it to 1.5 hp so you can run it on 120 with the KBAC drive. BUT, the KBAC drive is almost $400 alone so will bust you $1K budget.

I have not used a Reeder grinder, but have looked at them, and do really like the design. I've mod'd my grinder to the Reeder tracking design and it works really good.
Reeder chassis, $600 (plus around $70 shipping): https://reederproducts.com/shop?olsPage=products/rps101-grinder-chassis
wheel set: $100 shipped https://www.ebay.com/itm/192851993267?
wheel set: $75 shipped https://www.ebay.com/itm/262093781835 (these are plastic but for casual hobby use they'll be fine)
wheel set: $100 shipped https://www.ebay.com/itm/192851993267?
wheel set: $75 shipped https://www.ebay.com/itm/262093781835 (these are plastic but for casual hobby use they'll be fine)

Chinese VFD $66 shipped: https://www.ebay.com/itm/182994124127? (I've got 3 of these (not same vendor) and they work good and easy to setup, but do require 220vac. As mentioned the KBAC seems to be the only one that will run on 120.

2 hp 3 ph motor for $165 shipped: https://tinyurl.com/y5auqvcj

I think that total is a right at $1K even with the $100 wheel set.
 
Last edited:
Stay away from that.

Save your money if you hve to.

Get VFD variable speed.
KBAC27d is expensive, but it plug sinto 110v any outlet not 220 dependant.

Go EERF or others not OBM.
 
D Dangerruss so here is what I found out. A lot of people will tell you the following:

- You need a $2k grinder
- You need a $350 VFD (you need a VFD, but not a $350 one - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AOCLIEU). The one I list below works fine. It's not water/dust proof but it's good enough. Mine is a few feet away on the way (note the blue outline on the setup image below).
- You need a 2-3-hp motor. You don't need a 2-3-hp motor. I literally can't imagine using that. Just buy steel that's closest to your knife thickness and you have less grinding. I use a 1-hp and it's plenty powerful. I have ZERO issues. Not to mention at 110v you're only getting 1.5 HP max anyway. 1-HP is more than fine.

This is what I did, and this runs fine in a 110v setup. I can help you with wiring if you need.
Here is a picture of my setup - https://imgur.com/a/ZhZ3p9B
Here is a picture of some knives pre-heat treat I profiled on this setup - https://imgur.com/a/fZ1gyFx (im just practicing grinding blades at this stage. My tangs are a bit of a mess.)

The only downside of the Northridge Mod-E I find is that the work rest is super small. They sell a bigger one, but it's another ~$150 if I recall. Do you need a huge work rest? No. It would be nice to have a larger one, but with you're budget you don't need it. When you outgrow the small one, buy one, or make your own. I ordered this - https://originblademaker.com/product/belt-grinder-tool-rest-2x72-hot-rolled-steel/ I have no idea if it will fit this grinder, but for $40 I figured I would try. If you want to wait until it arrives, that might be a good/cheap solution to the small workrest.

If you outgrow this, you're only in at $450. Take the VFD and motor and upgrade to another frame.

All in you're at $858, use the remaining $75 or get a few belts and some sand paper.

** I should note. I don't do hollow grind style knives so I didn't research this mod-e machine for use with a wheel. The other three I looked at were Ameribrade and Reeder. I honestly went with the mod-e for price. I tend to change hobbies a lot. George (at Northridge) was helpful in helping me pick out the VFD and motor too, and as a newbie that was really helpful.
 
Last edited:
honingblades said:
D Dangerruss so here is what I found out. A lot of people will tell you the following:

- You need a $2k grinder
- You need a $350 VFD (you need a VFD, but not a $350 one - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AOCLIEU). The one I list below works fine. It's not water/dust proof but it's good enough. Mine is a few feet away on the way (blue outside in the image below).
- You need a 2-3-hp motor. You don't need a 2-3-hp motor. I literally can't imagine using that. Just buy steel that's closest to your knife thickness and you have less grinding. I use a 1-hp and it's plenty powerful. I have ZERO issues. Not to mention at 110v you're only getting 1.5 HP max anyway. 1-HP is more than fine.

This is what I did, and this runs fine in a 110v setup. I can help you with wiring if you need.
Here is a picture of my setup - https://imgur.com/a/ZhZ3p9B
Here is a picture of some knives pre-heat treat I profiled on this setup - https://imgur.com/a/fZ1gyFx (im just practicing grinding blades at this stage. My tangs are a bit of a mess.)

The only downside of the Northridge Mod-E I find is that the work rest is super small. They sell a bigger one, but it's another ~$150 if I recall. Do you need a huge work rest? No. It would be nice to have a larger one, but with you're budget you don't need it. When you outgrow the small one, buy one, or make your own.

If you outgrow this, you're only in at $450. Take the VFD and motor and upgrade to another frame. By that time you will know if you really want to do this hobby. Or you dedicate this setup to a specific purpose and go buy one of those $2,000 grinder setups people rave about.

All in you're at $858, use the remaining $75 or get a few belts and some sand paper.
Click to expand...
I hot the Ameribrade for less than a thousand, worked well for me for a year, I recently bought a vfd and motor, I think the ones you listed. Not sure why he couldn't try something like that. I can definitely understand not wanting to get into a $2,000 machine if it's just a hobby for now, and upgrading later if he gets more serious
 
Buy a kadrmas Kreations 2 inch grinder. Find a used 2-3 hp motor on ebay or craigslist, buy a $70 chinese vfd and call it a day. You will have a solid grinder with great power and adjustable speed. Should cost you more than $600-700
 
Skiller1nc said:
Buy a kadrmas Kreations 2 inch grinder. Find a used 2-3 hp motor on ebay or craigslist, buy a $70 chinese vfd and call it a day. You will have a solid grinder with great power and adjustable speed. Should cost you more than $600-700
Click to expand...

S Skiller1nc Those are $1,399.95 – $1,489.95 now - https://kadrmaskreations.com/product-category/knife-grinders/

That was going to be my "if I could do it over" comment, but that's way outside of his budget now. That must have happened only a week or so ago because I was just on there.
 
I just wanted to add a few thoughts here to make sure nothing gets glossed over. People are recommending a sort of hodge-podge of equipment. This is mostly because there are few quality full setups in your budget range. But it can make it a bit more confusing picking out things.

Firstly, I would say that while you can use a single speed grinder, it really is best to have some way to change speeds. At a minimum, a step pulley setup. The more preferred method is using a VFD. I have 2 2x72s with VFDs and 2 2x72s with step pulley setups so I have some experience with both. I like both but will always prefer to use the VFD if I have the option. I usually operate my VFD in ranges that step pulleys tend to accommodate though. Speed changes are definitely less hassle with the turn of a knob on a VFD. The nice thing about step pulleys is that there's really nothing to fail on you. The bad thing is that if you wanted to upgrade to a VFD later, you would need to buy another motor.

There are a few important things to keep in mind if you're going the VFD route. First off, they will require a 3-phase 240V motor. Most of the typical motors in people's shops are 1-phase 120V and run on your regular power outlet without any extra equipment. If you do not have 240V service in your shop, you are more limited in the VFD options that are available to you. As mentioned above, the cheaper Chinese-made VFD's typically do not allow you to run the VFD with 120V power. You can purchase one from KB Electronics that allows you to input 120V 1-phase and it outputs 240V 3-phase. So keep that in mind when shopping for VFDs and motors.

Another important thing to talk about with VFDs... there are different ratings for the enclosure around the VFD. Most people recommend the $350 VFD (KBAC-27D) not because they think you should spend all your money, but because it is designed to operate in the environment in which we function. These VFDs are typically a NEMA 4X rated enclosure. They are sealed and keep metal dust from entering the electronics. They are also more expensive.

If you opt for a cheaper VFD (even the KB one with a NEMA 1 rating suggested above) please keep in mind that those VFDs are not designed to operate near a grinder like we use. It's not a matter of if they fail, but when. There are some things you can do to extend their life though. At a minimum, placing some filters over the places where air can enter them. The best solution is to build an enclosure around them that can handle our environment, or to mount them remotely in a different room. If your VFD does fail, you will have no way to drive your 3-phase motor until you purchase another VFD.

On the topic of motors, I would say purchase a 2hp motor to accommodate your needs as your skills grow as a knifemaker. If you buy a 1hp motor and a VFD that drives a maximum of 1hp and you want to upgrade to a more powerful motor later, you'll also need to purchase a new VFD. You can get by with 1hp but you will notice the lack of power. I'd say a minimum of 1.5hp (preferably a 2hp motor) is what you would want. That is typically the highest hp you can drive on a 120V power source.

Your budget is pretty tight when it comes to grinders. For most grinders, just the chassis is $500+. That doesn't leave much room for wheels, motor, vfd. Ken made some good recommendations up there. I think saving just a little longer and getting the budget up a bit would be beneficial.

I think the Reeder grinder/chassis is probably the most bang for your buck if you're going the VFD route.
 
Last edited:
I would go with what KenH or honingblades suggested.
It's not hard to build your own. Some nice plans around too.

Built this one already. http://dcknives.blogspot.com/p/2-x-72-belt-grinder.html Works quite nicely and for me it is great. One issue is things can be a bit sloppy inside fit wise on the tool arms and tension arm so it can take a bit to make things run super true....but it isn't bad at all either. I think I spent about $100 on the frame, arms and tool rest. Got a buddy to weld it up for me. Used it for a few years now.

This is what I will make next. https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/free-2-x-72-belt-grinder-plans-2020-version.1705344/

You can build either of these and come up with a very nice grinder well under your budget.

- Saving more - consider a second hand motor. I was patient and watched craigs and have two 3hp motors I paid under $100 each for. I think it was $75 and $55 but I can't remember anymore.

Finally the cheap chinese vfd. Lots of guys wrap some furnace foam around them and they seem to last a long time. Mine was second hand and it is still going.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top