budget grinder alternatives to Pheer?

crimsonfalcon07

crimsonfalcon07

Joined
Dec 27, 2010
Messages
6,852
As you may have gathered, I'm finally looking to upgrade from my 1x30 and 2x48 fixed speed grinders to a real knifemaking grinder.

I've been looking to get one from Jose Navarro, and am currently waiting to hear back from him. Haven't had particularly helpful responses (or much at all, really), from him to my questions thus far, and so am wondering if there are any other alternatives (or folks near me who are looking to sell a grinder) that you would recommend. I don't think I have any 220V outlets, and I don't know the first thing about rewiring or anything like that, so I think that may limit my possibilities. I would like to have the option of trying a few hollow ground blades, so I wouldn't mind a nice big contact wheel, but I definitely want a flat platen. Variable speed, at least 1.5 HP would be great. Aside from that, I'm willing to be guided by your expertise as to what I should be looking for in a new grinder. My current budget is around 1500, which would cover a Pheer, but I don't know what else. Thanks in advance for any help.

I believe my profile is filled out, but I'm in Colorado, Parker area. Cheers!
 
Thanks! I also read about Wayne Coe on Mr. Straub's site. Any experience with his grinders? I think Jose is just really busy.
 
I have not personally used a grinder by Mr. Coe. I'm sure he knows what he's doing though. I don't know how far you've thought about partly building your own- I still think that the GIB is the best deal out there for a nice budget grinder if you can build and scrounge a bit. (Polar Bear Forge's Grinder in a Box kit.) Get one of those 10" contact wheels from Grizzly, have it bored for bearings, and you have a good contact wheel. You can get some grinder parts from Jose, like idler wheels (a good deal with him) or just fill out your kit with stuff from USA knifemaker's. A 3 phase motor is a better deal almost always if scrounged locally, try scrap yards and machinists. Since you want 1.5 hp capability, you may want to get a KBAC drive which IIRC can run a 3ph 1.5 hp motor off of 125V single phase power.

You'd need:
The GIB kit
platen idler wheels, a drive wheel, and a contact wheel
a VFD
a motor
sundry hardware, and your own tools for drilling and tapping holes.

It could certainly be done for well under $1500 and lots of people have these and love them.
 
Thanks Salem. I've learned a lot from your site. Judging from my lack of comprehension at what you were talking about on your post, I have some research to do before I consider building my own.

I did finally hear back from Jose. He's just insanely busy, which I suppose is a good thing. I'll be getting my payment together and placing my order tomorrow with him. I'm kinda thinking if I can get a good look at how it's supposed to be put together, making one will make more sense. I can't wait to move into a place where I can have a bigger shop now...
 
I made my grinder in a box with a regular flat platen with VFD, 2 HP motor, and wheels for about $1000 that gives you some more money to get a big wheel and a small wheel attachment. That would get you up to about $1500. There are a few things I wish I could change about the GIB but it is an EXCELLENT start!
 
I ordered a Pheer 327 2hp nema 4 with small wheel attatchment close to a month ago. He had around 13 to build when I ordered! The curse of success. He's a super nice guy, and I can't wait to get it. Hopefully you were able to get yours ordered.
 
I did get my order placed. I think I might have been right before you. I think he said he had 10 ahead of me, or so. Can't wait to get it. I'll throw up some pics, and maybe be on here for help if I'm too dumb to figure out how to hook it up.
 
Just got my Pheer in, figured out how to hook it up (it was pretty easy, although I had a few dumb moments), and got it running. Wow! I can already tell it was worth every penny to get a real grinder. Only problem is, my UPS guy had a devil of a time getting it to my door. Was too heavy for the poor guy. It runs smoothly and quietly. My one regret is not getting the NEMA enclosure. Don't want to have any issues with it dying. Does anyone have tips on where to buy or how to build a dust-proof enclosure?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top