Opinions on Grizzly 2x72

S

Sprayman

Joined
Nov 15, 2014
Messages
257
Hello, bladesmiths;

I've been using a modified 2x42 for years and am finally ready to move up, but I don't have a big budget for a grinder--I'm just a hobbiest, anyway. Can anyone tell me how they've liked the Grizzly? Also, I'd be interested in hearing opinions on any other comparable grinders. Thanks!
 
If you want to move up, consider variable speed. It is going to cost more than the Grizzly, but it will be a quantum leap versus an incremental improvement over your current setup.
 
Grizzly single speed is very fast. Great for roughing and hogging, but harder to use finer belts, so plan on a lot of hand sanding! I used to wrap old belts around the left side shaft and used that as a small wheel grinder. Putting ceramic glass platen on the metal platen would help a bit, but it's still fast. It was hard to hollow grind because of how the wheel is very close to the dimension of the motor housing, so I did mostly flat grinds when I had it. Got a KMG as an upgrade with a VFD, night and day difference!
 
Ken H> said:
Stay with what you've got until you're ready to invest at least $1K for a Reeder or like grinder, and ONLY consider a VFD with 3 ph motor in the 1.5 to 3 hp range.
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Agreed.... Your 2x42 is probably in the same league as the Grizzly. No use changing.....
 
The Grizzly is a good machine. Is a grinder that's more than triple its price, better? Yes. I have used (only) my Grizzly1015 for over 15 years. It is limited when it comes to accessories but a work horse that'll run forever and get lots of use... even if you buy a fancy one later on.
 
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My Grizzly is the most-used tool in my shop. I have 2 other 2 X 72 machines. It's pretty much my utility grinder/buffer.
 
Ken H> said:
Stay with what you've got until you're ready to invest at least $1K for a Reeder or like grinder, and ONLY consider a VFD with 3 ph motor in the 1.5 to 3 hp range.
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Having just priced out 2x72 grinders, you're looking at a lot closer to $2k for a good one with a VDF and motor. Reeder's frame is $995.00 with wheels these days and jumps to $2,195.00 with their basic motor/VFD combo. IF you order parts seperately yourself, KBAC 27D VFDs are $400+ and the ~$200 Iron Horse 2hp motors that a lot of people recommend are out of stock right now. The House Made frame is probably the cheapest good grinder I've seen at $575 , but it requires a bunch of extra labor and you have to buy wheels, a motor and a VFD seperately. Lots of problems OBM, both the company itself and the design/fit/finish of some of its grinders, though OBM does sell slighlty cheaper frames

I went with the Steele Co/84 Engineering 2x72, which takes a bit of assembly and comes with 2hp motor wired for 220 and a 27D VFD with a custom-branded label over the front. I re-wired it for 110v power until I can get a 220 circuit installed and am pretty pleased with how it works and how easily it came together. At $1895.72 it's one of the least expensive 2-72 variable speed units. I like the flat platen design, which includes a 5" contact wheel mounted behind the platen. You can rotated it 360 degrees to grind on either platen wheel,(2" and 3") both of which are coated, plus the 5" wheel or between the wheels for a slack-belt option. You don't get the rotating feature built in at this price, but they sell a rotating stand or you can design your own.

Anyway, lots of good options out there, but things are a bit more expensive than they were just a little while ago. People on this board and on a blacksmithing board really emphasised the benefits of a true variable speed grinder when I was gettting advice. I can't stress how much this helps me. Good luck.
 
Just a suggestion for cheaper VFD/Motor alternatives: Used 3 phase motors do pop up from time to time for anywhere from $50 to $150 or so, though the 56C frame required for the Reeder chassis is going to be a bit fewer and farther between. That said, I see compatible motors on eBay all the time for anywhere from $150 to $250.
For a VFD, the open frame chinese VFDs have gotten much cheaper over the years. I think the lowest price I've seen for one is about $60, and you can find them all day long for under $100. The biggest drawback is their open frame (gotta keep the dust out), and they do require 220VAC input, which not everybody has. For those that do, however, that puts you at somewhere around $300 average (maybe less) by the time you get it wired up. This will at least get things turning until you can upgrade to a KB drive. Add in the Reeder chassis (which is basically the same price, sans motor, as the Grizzly, and you've got a substantially better machine for an extra $300 or so.
 
Consider getting something with variable speed and a toolbar for quick change attachments.

The high single speed requires a skill set and learning curve.
Slowing it down gives you more of a chance to screw up slower.

The DIY grinders can be as good as the commercial ones if you have metal fab skills.
I'm not referring to welding.
Measuring, layout, cutting, drilling.

Electrical hookup.
 
huntin'monkey said:
Reeder's frame is $995.00 with wheels these days and jumps to $2,195.00 with their basic motor/VFD combo. IF you order parts seperately yourself, KBAC 27D VFDs are $400+ and the ~$200 Iron Horse 2hp motors that a lot of people recommend are out of stock right now. The House Made frame is probably the cheapest good grinder I've seen at $575
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You're right, I'd not checked prices lately and boy have they increased!! The Reeder frame was $600 only a few months ago, and I see it's now $800. The full wheel set can be had for $100 shipped: https://www.ebay.com/itm/252717440304?. Get the 3ph motor where you can for "around" $200, and the VFD for $80 (Chinese) and you've got a really NICE grinder for around $1200 or so.

I don't own a Reeder, but from looking over them at Blade and reports from Stacy and other folks who do have them - they seem to be one of the best around.
 
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