Budget Grinder Options

K

Kadecho

Joined
Jun 5, 2015
Messages
9
Hey everyone,

I'm trying to find a 2x72 grinder with a flat-platten and an exposed grinding wheel. Aside from those options, I'm just looking for cheap and get the job done. I'll be purchasing a dremel so a small-wheel isn't needed. I know Kalamazoo makes one; am curious about your thoughts on that. Any other options are appreciated. I can't really build one myself, either. As for a budget, I'm just trying to find how cheap I can go and still get the job done.

Thanks
 
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I'm the only one i know that has built one, and I'm sure the folks here are tired of hearing about it, but for a basic grinder at a good cost, I like the Polar Bear SlInG. I built it from a parts kit from polar bear forge. It is a Flat SlInG grinder http://polarbearforge.com/sling_order.html. they have parts kits for flat platen, wheel and combo setups. it is a no frills (no work rest, no platen tilt) machine. The price is right and you have to provide wheels http://r.ebay.com/gbUpkw, motor (1.5 hp from automationdirect.com), and all the nuts and bolts (mostly 1/4"). It is not a difficult build. I have been very happy with it. Granted it's the only 2x72 I have used. I had to tweak the wheel alignment a bit (nothing crazy, just had to get the drive wheel on the right plane). It runs true and with a 1.5 hp motor, it does what I need. I did not do a VFD, as i don't have 220v in the shop. Here is the original BF post I did http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...inder-complete I also got some questions from my youtube video, so if you view the video in the link i just posted in youtube, and check the comments. I put a parts list there.

I built the whole thing for a little over $400.
 
I wouldn't rule out a small wheel if you could help it. They're about 100x more efficient than a dremel.
 
The problem with the kalanazoo grinder is the flat platen does not let you grind a plung on the left side but you could fix that with a minor mod to the machine. If ot was me looking for a first grinder i would look at the cootes grind they are better built and have more options for the future. www.cootebeltgrinder.com
 
Don't rule out a disc. I used a 9" disc solely for 18 years. Now I rough in with the 2x72 and finish on the disc. I even cut in my shoulders on the disc. With a disc, a couple of die grinders and some files there is nothing you can't do so far as knife grinding/shaping. Even handles can be shaped quite readily on a disc. Just have to get used to it.

It is also much smaller which is why I started with one.
 
Seriously, why can't you build one? If you can turn a wrench, you can build a grinder. It's definitely the most budget friendly option.
 
I did the sling grinder as well its my fourth, almost 600 with the wheels and vfd with a 2horse baldor motor scrounged at the flea mkt for 50.00. I got three contact wheels for the lower and two for upper. 2 and 3 and 5,6,8 lower. after I fabed a tool rest it turned out to be a nice outfit.
 
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