Contact Wheel

A

Andybrock

Joined
Feb 5, 2017
Messages
60
I’m putting together a spec for a new grinder, what size contact wheel would best suit my needs for grinding the blade?
I make folders, slip joints and friction folders so all are small blades. I’ve never used a wheel before as I’ve only got a 2x42 so just used the platen and the top of the tracking wheel so hopefully contact wheels will help me get a better grinds and finishes!
 
I'm just starting out, using some 14" blanks I got from a friend. I want to remove material relatively quickly but without excessive heat.My grinding wheel is 8", 60-80 grit from Harbor Freight. I know, at $10 not the best quality. I have a nice 10" grinder, 3/4 arbor, 2 speed. Recommended brands? Width? 1"? 1.5"? or ?
 
Welcome HOtspur.
Few knifemakers use a grinding wheel to make blades with. We use a belt grinder with a contact wheel. The most common size grinder is a 2X72" and the most common wheel size is 10".
 
12" is a great size for slip joint blades. 8" was easy to learn hollow grinding on and I imagine will come in handy for doing smaller secondary blades. Don't really use my 8" anymore though now that I've gotten decent with the 12"
 
Ah. I'm reading David Boyes, Step by Step Knifemaking, copyright 1977. I guess it's a little out of date!

A 2x72" belt sander is my next question. I've got my eye on this: OBM. Will it do the job? I don't want to spend thousands, yet I also don't wish to waste money on trash. I was thinking of getting the chassis only and sourcing my own motor and VFD to save some money as they want $1250 or so for a complete setup. Am I asking for trouble?
 
I built my own grinder. If you watch craigs for a bit you can find1.5 to 3 hp three phase motors for under $100. You can pick up a chinese vfd for about $100 too and put it in a case to keep the dust out. There are some threads here of the set ups people did like this. I didn't know anything about vfds or wiring up a motor, but with help from people here I got mine done and it runs great.
 
HOtspur,
Take a look at the Reeder Grinder basic chassis. With the basic wheel kit it is $795. IMHO, it is the best basic chassis on the market. It has a tooling arm and a contact wheel arm included. Plus, it is horizontal/vertical.A 10" wheel from Greg is $195 and a 12" wheel is $225. His wheels are turned and balanced to a very high degree.
reederproducts.com

Reeder Grinder Chassis

Reeder Belt Grinder / Sander 2" x 72" - Basic assembly Includes: Assembled grinder / sander ready to mount to motor and VFD (Sold seperately) Adjustable platen with 1 1/2" square attachment bar (20" long) Work rest (11 3/4" x 4" x 1/4") Additional 1 1/2" square attachment bar (20" long)(for work...
reederproducts.com reederproducts.com

This chap is my favorite seller for a tur-key motor VFD package. Fully wired with all te switches, a 1HP setup is $595.
www.ebay.com

KB Electronics KBAC-24D VFD and Techtop Motor 56C Package, NEMA 4X, Belt Grinder | eBay

• KB Electronics 9480 Forward-Stop-Reverse Switch Kit. • KB Electronics 9482Power Switch Kit. You will be responsible to set the drive jumpers to their correct settings, install all fittings and wire the drive and motor.
www.ebay.com
 
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