Added a new grinder to my belt grinder guide. Any thoughts?

Salem Straub

Salem Straub

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Oct 20, 2008
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I found a guy selling grinders he makes on E-bay a few months ago. Since then he's built a decent website, and I think his prices are good. I see some things such as maybe NEMA-4 issues, but for the most part I think it may be a solid entry-level grinder option.

Any of you guys have experience with these yet? I'd be stoked to have a user review or two. Let me know what you think about them in general, please.

Thanks guys.

http://www.prometheanknives.com/sho...e-2x72-variable-belt-grinders-by-jose-navarro
 
A guy on the Knifedogs Shoptalk just bought one. It's on the first page of threads. It hasn't arrived yet for feedback.
Have you considered adding Wayne Coe's new grinder?
 
It looks like a simplification of the NWG - only welded.


I don't see how the motor is mounted to the grinder
 
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That is a helluva price... bookmarked. Thanks for the link :thumbup:

And regarding the NEMA4 issue, he has an enclosure linked under his info tab for $63, not bad at all.
 
3/4 hp and having the vfd out in the open like that seems to be looking for problems.
 
AVigil said:
3/4 hp and having the vfd out in the open like that seems to be looking for problems.
Click to expand...

3/4 is adequate but there is also a 1 hp model. 3/4 wont hog like a 1.5 or 2 hp but its fine for grinding just need to adjust your grinding style as for the vfd, he has nema4x enclosure as well.

It seems like a decent grinder for a really good price. Want to see the review on knife dogs of it though.
 
I love that section of your website Salem. Have you ever thought of including a comment about your personal experience/choices/systems you use, and why? It would give the page and subject a nice touch. Keep up the good work!
 
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That does look promising. I have been saving for a better grinder. That setup with one of Wayne Coes VFD motors would be very affordable. Looking forward to seeing some reviews.
 
I am glad to see this on here because I am looking for an affordable grinder and found him on ebay as well. I have talked with him back and forth thru email and he seems to know his stuff.... I maybe getting one of these because it seems to be the best bang for the buck for a beginner like me.
 
just a quick question, wouldnt folks be better off with the Grinder In a Box for the simple reason of the added weight/mass to cut down on vibration? it always seemed like the NWG grinder seem kind of light and would vibrate? i dont know, i could be wrong. any thoughts

jake
 
Ed pointed out on KD, the wheels on this grinder are skateboard wheels.

Yes, everything about this grinder is inexpensive & upgrades at slight costs would give much better grinders.
 
But it would be a good little grinder to start cranking some blades out with and slowly upgrade from there right?.....I would think it would produce a lot better quality a lot faster than the HF 1 x 30 I am currently using!
 
I don't see anything wrong with skateboard wheels. Longboard wheels (and bearings) are designed for speeds in excess of 60 mph, with a lot of weight, and riding on an abrasive surface. For $70, he offers a set of aluminum idler wheels. That's significantly cheaper than I've seen elsewhere for a set of platen wheels.

I don't know if I'm sold on the NEMA4 enclosure he links to. I guess it could be made to work, would take some doing to make it convenient. I'd maybe build my own, or run longer wires to a VFD outside the grinding room, like I currently have.

It does remind me a welded no weld grinder. I think a GIB is probably a better grinder for sure, built well by someone with the time and inclination. There's just more steel there. There are however many people who prefer to buy plug-in machines, and the low-cost options for these folks have been slim. I'd take one of these over a Grizz any day.

3/4 hp is not appealing to me. For $25 more though, 1hp would be adequate. Again, for the money, looks like a good entry level grinder.

Thanks for commenting, guys.
 
I'll have to include Wayne's grinder. Phil, I do try where possible to indicate whether I've used a given grinder personally, and my opinions of it. I've used Square Wheel, Burr King, the Dozier grinder, JL grinder, Bader BIII, (all of the previous variable speed) and the Grizzly. I've not yet tried a KMG, Hardcore, GIB, or a TW90 although I'd love to get the chance.

I try to offer my preferences, such as variable, 2+ hp, direct drive, tooling arm design, smooth tracking, etc. Since I use a grinder I built myself to my wants, the other commercial grinder I have (square wheel, variable) is the only common grinder I can claim to own or use often.

This is why I occasionally try to solicit grinder reviews from people who own ones I've not tried, or even ones I have. I think I'll add a link to Bob Engnath's Burr King tips page!

Thanks for the suggestions, Phil, and for reading those pages. I do try to add things when I can, this week it was a document on handle removal, the new grinder, and a few knives to the gallery. Check back now and then for new stuff...
 
KFU said:
That does look promising. I have been saving for a better grinder. That setup with one of Wayne Coes VFD motors would be very affordable. Looking forward to seeing some reviews.
Click to expand...

I see you are in Knoxville, if you get the chance to go pick up the motor and VFD from Mr. Coe in person DO NOT miss the chance. My 16 year old son and I went today to pick up a motor for my KMG Edge grinder and it was one of the best experiences we have ever had together. Mr. Coe was a gracious host and opened his beautiful shop to us. He taught us the beginning of his basic black smithing classes and shared his art openly.
 
It take all kinds of grinders to make the knife world go round .

what is spam ? is that a link or an explanation

pheer327
 
I'm glad to see others taking note of their existence. There's a similar dealer in Wisconsin but I can't seem to find a website for him. I posted about this same dealer back in August andnothing has made me change my opinion of him since. These are decent grinders and there is a huge gap in the market for something premade between the craftsman 2x42 and the KMG, Bader, etc. If I were just starting I would definitely consider one of these $500 grinders.
 
I been running a NWG for over 2 years now. I've never had any excess vibration. Mine runs off of a 3/4 hp variable speed bench grinder. The only time I've really bogged it down is on a 12" chef knife. As a matter of fact I'm in the process of building another one.
 
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