First grinder... help?

S

Seven.62

Joined
Apr 12, 2023
Messages
18
So I'm looking for some recommendations for a first grinder..I'm basically starting knife making/modding as a hobby for the first time and have little experience (other than making two custom fixed blades with my uncle in his shop)... I'm looking for an well enough made 2 inch bench-top belt grinder that i can run jigs on if i would like... like i said I am starting knife working as a hobby so my budget is about $300ish also my workspace is not huge... obviously I'm not an expert on these machines or their specs by any means but if you have any further questions that would help with a recommendation please feel free to ask
 
Your budget will not give you much in a 2" grinder capable of jigs and such. At that budget you might find a single speed 2X36 or 2X42 that you can use, but it will be very basic.
I would shop around for a used Craftsman 2X42.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Your budget will not give you much in a 2" grinder capable of jigs and such. At that budget you might find a single speed 2X36 or 2X42 that you can use, but it will be very basic.
I would shop around for a used Craftsman 2X42.
Click to expand...
If i were to "take the plunge" what would you recommend for a beginner and at what price range?
 
There are entry grinders at the $800-1000 range. My suggestion on a budget would be a Reeder basic chassis with the wheel kit and a 1HP motor you supply ( you can get one pretty cheap if nit free). It will run around $1000, As soon as you can afford it, swap the motor for three phase 1.5HP to 2.0HP and a VFD. That will run between $400 and 600 depending on your sourcing and abilities. The good thing about the Reeder is it comes ready to go with all the arms and work rests needed. You can build jigs as you wish and use them on it. Greg Reeder has large number of accessories he makes for his grinder, too. Quality is top notch.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
There are entry grinders at the $800-1000 range. My suggestion on a budget would be a Reeder basic chassis with the wheel kit and a 1HP motor you supply ( you can get one pretty cheap if nit free). It will run around $1000, As soon as you can afford it, swap the motor for three phase 1.5HP to 2.0HP and a VFD. That will run between $400 and 600 depending on your sourcing and abilities. The good thing about the Reeder is it comes ready to go with all the arms and work rests needed. You can build jigs as you wish and use them on it. Greg Reeder has large number of accessories he makes for his grinder, too. Quality is top notch.
Click to expand...
Reeder is quick to send a reminder that you have an item in your cart. Shipping adds more than 50% to the price for me, puts me in the mid range of Australian made grinders with a 2hp variable speed motor.
 
Seven.62 said:
So I'm looking for some recommendations for a first grinder..I'm basically starting knife making/modding as a hobby for the first time and have little experience (other than making two custom fixed blades with my uncle in his shop)... I'm looking for an well enough made 2 inch bench-top belt grinder that i can run jigs on if i would like... like i said I am starting knife working as a hobby so my budget is about $300ish also my workspace is not huge... obviously I'm not an expert on these machines or their specs by any means but if you have any further questions that would help with a recommendation please feel free to ask
Click to expand...
I would think that your uncle would be a big help with this.

Hoss
 
Reco
DevinT said:
I would think that your uncle would be a big help with this.

Hoss
Click to expand...
Yeah he has been HUGE help... but just wanted to get some other opinions... i would just go out to his shop at his house to make knives but he lives a lil over an hour away and i dont just wanna take over his shop... also hes... stubborn(mean that in the best way possible) hes a total traditional fixed blade purist, like not really into slip joint folders or knife mod experiments (which is what i like)... kinda wanted to try on my own so i can do my own thing instead of feeling like im taking a class ... but i did learn A LOT making those 2 fixed blades... and hes still just a text away if i have any questions...
IMG_8869.jpeg
 
Seven.62 said:
Reco

Yeah he has been HUGE help... but just wanted to get some other opinions... i would just go out to his shop at his house to make knives but he lives a lil over an hour away and i dont just wanna take over his shop... also hes... stubborn(mean that in the best way possible) hes a total traditional fixed blade purist, like not really into slip joint folders or knife mod experiments (which is what i like)... kinda wanted to try on my own so i can do my own thing instead of feeling like im taking a class ... but i did learn A LOT making those 2 fixed blades... and hes still just a text away if i have any questions...
IMG_8869.jpeg
Click to expand...
Who is your uncle?

Hoss
 
DevinT said:
I’ve been making knives for 45 years, just wondering if I know him.

Hoss
Click to expand...
No youre fine... just felt the need to mention not to contact him... never know what crazy ppl on the internet will do... and i wouldnt be surprised if yall met at a show...we are both from the low country/charleston area in SC... im only 29 yrs old... but hes been making knives for for like 25-ish years i believe(maybe a year or 2 more) and not to "uncle brag" but hes won some awards and even has a knife in the SC state museum... just saying cause i dont want to come off sounding like i dont respect i his opinion... id have to be a fool not to soak up every word he says about knife making and leather work....
 
If you can weld and are up to the task I built a fully featured 2hp variable speed grinder with a few extra bells & whistles for under $1500. The entire WIP is here:

Review - WIP: Full Featured 2x72 for under $1500?!? Housemade Gen 4 Revolution Kit Build

This is the path I chose to take, and I think there are enough new guys like me out there that might benefit from knowing that there is another high quality, made in USA option out there that doesn't require selling a kidney to have. I'm not sponsored or affiliated by anyone in anyway, and I...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com

Maybe not for everyone, but an option just the same. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

My first grinder was a Norse 2x42. Single speed that is way too fast for most knife making operations, but with quality belts, a very light touch, & patience it worked adequately. I think I paid around $300 for it, and with a few modifications to the shrouds, worktable belt changes were quick & efficient. I also stiffened the platen by adding pyroceramic glass. The variable speed is the biggest advantage to a larger grinder IMO, and that only comes (easily) with a 3-phase motor & VFD. A 2x42 will have a 3450/3600 rpm universal motor, so you won’t be able to adjust. That’s where the light touch & patience comes in.

In this hobby, like many others, you can do it inexpensively but it will cost you extra in time and effort, and you may not enjoy that time as much as if you have the tools that make your efforts easier and more time efficient. But of course, budget is a very real obstacle, so tough decisions have to be made.
 
Seven.62 said:
So I'm looking for some recommendations for a first grinder..I'm basically starting knife making/modding as a hobby for the first time and have little experience (other than making two custom fixed blades with my uncle in his shop)... I'm looking for an well enough made 2 inch bench-top belt grinder that i can run jigs on if i would like... like i said I am starting knife working as a hobby so my budget is about $300ish also my workspace is not huge... obviously I'm not an expert on these machines or their specs by any means but if you have any further questions that would help with a recommendation please feel free to ask
Click to expand...
I just assembled my own using a 1.5 HP 3-phase motor, an inexpensive VFD, a stop/start switch and a Mini Diktator grinder. All told I spent about $850, not including the ceramic belts and the 240V circuit I had to install, but I'm an electrician and the circuit was the easy/inexpensive part.

Edit: I just performed the tracking this evening and although I got it to track properly, it took me over an hour to figure the thing out and get it right. A more expensive belt sander would probably track better out of the box. Just something to keep in mind.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top