Recommendation? So whats the best 2x72 grinder?

[NickHFSS]

Hello everyone , I am getting a custom grinder made , I have one (unknown maker bought second hand) but I am needing to get one more robust , industrial and with vfd
I am going for made in Turkey motor 1.5kv (6 months guarantee ) made in Japan hitachi vfd (2 year guarantee) and am considering some designs...
I want it to have horizontal option , small wheels and big contact wheel , flexible table and mini table. I am considering getting a water radiator backplate which some say makes it very cool , graphite and steel backplates.
What would you say is the best design , I want to make one as good as one can go, without going crazy.
Im thinking something like this grizzly from UA but with having a second 1.5x1.5" inch arm underneath for the table

Or something like claryx metalworks

what would you recommend and give advice based on your years of experience ?
Thanks
Nick

 

[Drew Riley]

I'd forget about using graphite for a backer and go with pyro-ceramic glass instead.

If money was no object, I'd probably go with something like a Northridge with horizontal tilt and ratcheting tension. They've got a pretty nice work rest system for it too.
Rotary platens (with the rubber backed belt) are pretty handy, especially if they have a flat platen incorporated into them.

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

Just remember, "Jack of all trades, master of none"

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

A ratcheting tension arm is the best type. ( See TW-90)
Dual tracking adjustments for pitch and yaw are superb (See the Reeder grinder)
Horizontal/vertical is almost a must.
Two, or even three, tool arm slots
1.5" tool arms
Articulated work rest
As much heavy aluminum as possible = no rust.
Kool-mist or similar system.
Water cooled platen.
Pyro-ceramic glass 10" flat platen.
Small wheel tip.
Surface grinder attachment
2HP motor
tachometer or SFM readout

 

[HSC ///]

A belt grinder is a general piece of equipment, which we use specifically for knife making
IMO it's more important to get the right design grinder for the type of knives you make or want to make.
I remember asking Travis Wuertz in Pasadena, " hey Travis, why don't you add .....to your grinder?
His response while smiling - "Everyone is different". Everyone wants something different.

I have/had 5 different grinder makes and I would still choose my Hardocre over all the others. It's the right design for me.

Currently in Paris I just bought a grinder from Bulgaria- Shogi Belt Grinders on Facebook.
priced very well and with alot of features and value for the price. Just ground 8 MagnaCut gyutos in the last 2 weeks. Works fine. But it’s not my favorite grinder

 

[Ken H>]

Remember the OP is in Tbilisi, Georgia when talking about best grinder.

For the USA I think Stacy's post has it pretty well covered - except perhaps I'd opt for 1-1/2" tool arms {grinning - I know 1/2" is a typo}

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Thanks.

Habeer, nice grinder. I like the cooling fins on the platen plate. Makes sense. I have a bunch of surplus heat sink fins. I may put them on the grinders without water cooled platens. Heck, I could put a 12V fan on the fins and that might be nearly as good as the water cooled platen.

 

[Natlek]

Thanks.

Habeer, nice grinder. I like the cooling fins on the platen plate. Makes sense. I have a bunch of surplus heat sink fins. I may put them on the grinders without water cooled platens. Heck, I could put a 12V fan on the fins and that might be nearly as good as the water cooled platen.

They work........more fins , more surface , more heat they radiate . No need for fan, belt make enough wind .Best are from PC processor............

 

[NickHFSS]

They work........more fins , more surface , more heat they radiate . No need for fan, belt make enough wind .Best are from PC processor............

I'm guessing I can attach the radiator with thermal paste? like on my PID?

 

[NickHFSS]

Whats the best way to make the moving parts like tracking arm and rotating part.
washers , bearings or maybe phosphorous bronze ?

 

[Alex Topfer]

I'm guessing I can attach the radiator with thermal paste? like on my PID?

Looks like a job for thermal epoxy

 

[DeadboxHero]

Best 2x72", the one ya have