Recommendation? Upgrading my Belt Grinder. Ameribrade 272?

hathegkla · May 9, 2019

Currently I have a Grizzly, had it for years and made a few upgrades to it (biggest being a real tool rest) but it's just too fast for some of the things I want to do and need vfd. I read through some of the posts here about grinders and am considering the Ameribrade 272 but I have a couple of questions. First how solid is the tool rest? And second am I going to regret getting a 2hp 110v over the 2/3hp 220v? My garage isn't wired for 220v so this would be a pretty big additional cost to get set up in addition to the grinder itself.

any other grinder suggestions are welcome. if I go DIY it would have to be weldless as I don't have access to a welder right now.

scott.livesey · May 9, 2019

What motor does current grinder have? You may want to change to a 3 phase motor and VFD. It sounds like you are unhappy with the motor not the grinder. Changing to a 272 may not solve any of the problems. If all you have is 110, realize that you are limited to a 1 1/2 hp motor/VFD and live with it. Yes I know little johnny says he runs a 2hp motor with his KD vfd, but he can only get 1 1/2Hp from the motor from it before it trips. Other alternative is a 220v extension cord for power.
scott

hathegkla · May 9, 2019

scott.livesey said:
What motor does current grinder have? You may want to change to a 3 phase motor and VFD. If all you have is 110, realize that you are limited to a 1 1/2 hp motor/VFD and live with it. Learn to use it properly. Other alternative is a 220v extension cord for power.
scott

my curent grinder is a 9 year old grizzly G1015 (1hp) so I can't change the motor. I should probably just talk to an electrician and see how much it would cost, I can probably live with 1.5hp though.

scott.livesey · May 9, 2019

Why can't you change the motor? What frame motor do you have? Should be on motor face plate, there should be a line that says 'Frame', something like 56 or 56C or 145....

Ocelot85 · May 9, 2019

I have the Ameribrade 272, it's a good grinder. I have the 2HP Leeson with KBAC-27D VFD running on 110. I have a 220 cord set for mine when I get my shop rewired.

I don't really have an issue with the speed considering I have a 7 inch drive wheel on it, ceramic belts go through 440C pretty easily so far at 75% power.

I would also suggest that you get the D-D tool rest Don Dentz makes on Ebay, it's much bigger and more adjustable than the stock work rest. I have the 18 inch wide rest for plenty of working space. I have both work rests since I ordered mine with the standard one, but if I could do it again I wouldn't get the stock one and just get the D-D work rest.

hathegkla · May 9, 2019

scott.livesey said:
Why can't you change the motor? What frame motor do you have? Should be on motor face plate, there should be a line that says 'Frame', something like 56 or 56C or 145....

I actually had no idea you could change the motor out on a Grizzly, it just has an on/off switch but honestly it's kind of a junky grinder, I wasn't trying to spend much money at the time because it's just a hobby for me but after 9 years or so I think I can upgrade.

Ocelot85 said:
I have the Ameribrade 272, it's a good grinder. I have the 2HP Leeson with KBAC-27D VFD running on 110. I have noticed that it doesn't want to run above 75%, I attribute that to it being wired for 110. I have a 220 cord set for mine when I get my shop rewired.

I would also suggest that you get the D-D tool rest Don Dentz makes on Ebay, it's much better and more adjustable than the stock work rest. I have the 18 inch wide rest for plenty of working space. I have both work rests since I ordered mine with the standard one, but if I could do it again I wouldn't get the stock one and just get the D-D work rest.

ok, will do on the tool rest, stability is very important to me so I want whatever is going to be heavier. so overall you like the grinder? it looks like a pretty viable option for me right now.

Ocelot85 · May 9, 2019

hathegkla said:
I actually had no idea you could change the motor out on a Grizzly, it just has an on/off switch but honestly it's kind of a junky grinder, I wasn't trying to spend much money at the time because it's just a hobby for me but after 9 years or so I think I can upgrade.

ok, will do on the tool rest, stability is very important to me so I want whatever is going to be heavier. so overall you like the grinder? it looks like a pretty viable option for me right now.

Honestly I've never used any other 2 x 72's to compare it with, but it runs pretty smooth and hasn't given me any issues so far. I just wish I hadn't got the single speed motor when I first got it, I ended up upgrading to the 2HP leeson with VFD. Kevin Roark one of the owners was easy to work with, and gave me a deal on some of the accessories too. I suggest calling him before you order on the website and see what he can do, they wired it for 110 since that's what I have now and gave me a 220 cord for the future since I do intend to get a new box installed in the garage / shop.

Also I want to say that Don Dentz on Ebay is awesome and his work is very high quality. I would not hesitate to buy anything he makes from my past experience with his stuff.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/D-D-Work-T...823536?hash=item3b2f313170:g:rcgAAOSwhZ5byKr8

That's the workrest I have, I love it.

scott.livesey · May 9, 2019

If you want to upgrade grinders, there are many available. Wilmont, oregon blade maker, and Polar Forge are 3 names that come to mind that offer good grinders for low $$. They offer kits, which means you will have to assemble. I have Wilmont LB1000 that cost $800 then I added motor, VFD, wiring, and second tool rest for a total of $1100. YMMV.

hathegkla · May 9, 2019

scott.livesey said:
If you want to upgrade grinders, there are many available. Wilmont, oregon blade maker, and Polar Forge are 3 names that come to mind that offer good grinders for low $$. They offer kits, which means you will have to assemble. I have Wilmont LB1000 that cost $800 then I added motor, VFD, wiring, and second tool rest for a total of $1100. YMMV.

ok, great. haven't heard of a a couple of those so I will definitely check it out. thank you.

it's looking like I'll probably go with something with a 120v/220 v option so I can get it set up now with 120 then get more power later. I was looking into pricing and it sounds like a 220v outlet install is between $400 on the low end and $600 on the higher end for a full install assuming you have a box nearby which I do.

JoshRG · May 9, 2019

While everything I hear about the Ameribrade indicates that it is a fine grinder, I would seriously take a look at some other models. Like Scott mentioned, Wilmont, OBM, and PB Forge all make machines that in my opinion are more versatile than the Ameribrade. The reason I say this is due to the use of 1 1/2 inch tooling arms that is pretty much the industry standard size. If I were in the market for a new machine I would look at Iron Creek Metal Art on Instagram. I have never done business with them but their entry level machine is very nice on paper. Standard size tooling arms, bolt on direct drive, and tilting base. Also for what its worth, I have a 1.5 hp Leeson motor on my personal grinder and have NEVER felt I needed more power. Speed yes, power no.

Blessings,
Joshua

jll346 · May 9, 2019

Buy a Pheer 454!! Built just as well but Superior because it can use all 1.5" KMG compatible arms and attachments. Buy the new kmg tool rest and you will have an INCREDIBLE machine!

Sorry josh, just went back an saw your post. You are 100% correct. I purchased an ameribrade and quickly unloaded it. Built nice but with design flaws

JoshRG · May 9, 2019

jll346 I agree completely. I have the Pheer 454 as well and absolutely love it. Been trying to snag the new kmg tool rest but they are out of stock.

The only thing I don't like about the Pheer is the lack of a tilt feature.

Rhinoknives1 · May 9, 2019

I’ve used a 1 1/2 Hp VDF Hardcore Grinder for 20 years & a Wilmont with a 1 1/2 variable for some 15 years!——— Both on 110v... Unless you grind 10”-14” 1/4” thick Bowie knives all day long! It’s more than enough power to grind all of the large Culinary knives etc that I make! Use Ceramic belts, Easy Peasy!

Rhinoknives1 · May 9, 2019

hathegkla said:
I actually had no idea you could change the motor out on a Grizzly, it just has an on/off switch but honestly it's kind of a junky grinder, I wasn't trying to spend much money at the time because it's just a hobby for me but after 9 years or so I think I can upgrade.

ok, will do on the tool rest, stability is very important to me so I want whatever is going to be heavier. so overall you like the grinder? it looks like a pretty viable option for me right now.

You can’t change the motor out on a Grizzly!

jll346 · May 10, 2019

JoshRG said:
jll346 I agree completely. I have the Pheer 454 as well and absolutely love it. Been trying to snag the new kmg tool rest but they are out of stock. The only thing I don't like about the Pheer is the lack of a tilt feature.

it's awesome. Make a base with hinges. Works well.

Horsewright · May 10, 2019

Had my Pheer for a long time and its ground out a couple zillion knives.

It just keeps purring.

Sam Dean · May 10, 2019

I have the Ameribrade 2X72. It's a great grinder, but it's also the only one I've ever used for knife grinding, so I can't comment on any of the other options out there. Yes, there are certainly some design flaws, but nothing major. You'd be hard pressed to find anything in existence that doesn't have some kind of issue or nuance. The guys that run the place are great, and have answered every question I've had. For me, that means a lot.

Mine has the 7 inch drive wheel, 2HP Leeson & KBAC VFD wired for 220 volts. When REALLY hogging out material, I've stalled it a couple times, but 99% of the time has plenty of power & speed. I also have the standard work rest, flat platen, 10 inch contact wheel and small wheel attachment.

If I lived where you do, Ameribrade would be my first choice by far. They're pretty much in your backyard - I bet if you call them up, you could go to their plant & try them out and really get a better feel for the machine.

hathegkla · May 10, 2019

Thanks for all the replies. I definitely have some things to look at now. The Pheer 454 looks pretty good now as well.

Bow Commander · May 10, 2019

There are a lot of nice options out here, but here's another vote for the Pheer. Really loving mine so far, and Jose is a great guy to work with. He set up my VFD so all I had to do was connect a couple wires and I was done. Here's a few pics of mine. I also bought the KMG work rest and it is seriously incredible. I am using Ameribrade's small wheel holder which is very nice. And I built a tilting mount to run horizontal.

jll346 has a been a tremendous resource for me.

jll346 · May 11, 2019

Looking great Bow Commander!!!