Grinder choice: North Ridge vs Ameribrade vs Brodbeck

matto6 said:
Is the ratchet that important? More important than being able to run in reverse?
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Yes, plus the Northridge will run in reverse. Ratcheting tension is a must on a grinder as far as I'm concerned.
 
matto6 said:
Thanks everyone.

Does anyone have an opinion on the importance of the following?

1. Tensioning mechanism. One has a ratchet, one has a metal spring, one has a gas shock.

2. Running in reverse. Only the Ameribrade runs in reverse.

3. Having 3 tool arm slots. Only the Brodbeck has 3.
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1. Some folks prefer the ratchet type, while others prefer the metal spring, but with a compression spring. Gas shock - again they do work, but some folks say they don't last long due to dust getting into the shock. I've used all three, and have finally settled on the compressed metal spring.

2. Running in reverse - I wouldn't have a grinder that wouldn't run in reverse. I use reverse lots - but until I put the reverse option in my grinder I had no idea it was so important.

3 tool arm slots? Not sure what the 3rd slot would be for. Since I only have 2 slots in my grinder and have not missed the 3rd slot. BUT - like the reverse I had no idea until I got reverse, might be the say way with 3rd slot. If I could think of a use for it I'd add the 3rd slot.

Have you looked at the reeder grinder? One thing you missed is a question on the tracking adjustment. Reeder's method hands down. OR, the new KMG should work good also.
 
J. Hoffman said:
Yes, plus the Northridge will run in reverse. Ratcheting tension is a must on a grinder as far as I'm concerned.
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Thanks. I just spoke with George and it will indeed run in reverse. They just don't include the switch for liability reasons, but it's not hard to add the switch.
 
matto6 said:
Thanks everyone.

Does anyone have an opinion on the importance of the following?

1. Tensioning mechanism. One has a ratchet, one has a metal spring, one has a gas shock.

2. Running in reverse. Only the Ameribrade runs in reverse.

3. Having 3 tool arm slots. Only the Brodbeck has 3.
Click to expand...
I have a Brodbeck and love it, but the only other grinder I've used is a basic KMG, not any of your other choices. That being said, I much prefer my gas shock system over the spring at least on the KMG. Not sure why you couldn't modify that particular feature though.

I've never run into a situation where I wanted to run the belt in reverse, so I'm surprised how many people here like it.

I've used the extra tool arm slot on mine to get a slightly different height for when I use my Brodbeck disc grinder attachment, but it's totally unnecessary.

Overall I really don't think you can go wrong with any of those grinders. I do like the big knurled quick adjust handles on the Northridge compared to the Brodbeck ones, but again that's something that could be swapped out. The handles on the various tightening knobs on my Brodbeck can be finicky to get them aligned in just the right spot so that they don't interfere with each other and have enough room to tighten fully. I have been meaning to swap mine out but it's just not a big enough deal to bother yet. One other significant thing that annoyed me about my Brodbeck was the fact that the lower bolt head on the flat platen interferes with the work rest if you want to angle the platen at all. I ended up countersinking the hole myself and installing a flat head screw to give it clearance.

Ameribrade looks like they've thought through all sorts of details on their grinder, but I really dislike their tool arm design instead of the standard shape. Probably not a big enough reason to avoid purchasing it though I would think.
 
I have a early Pheer grinder and added an Ameribrade....a few reasons...
I wanted spring tension, never had an issue with this simple system and if aint broke....
I wanted a metal built grinder for a number of reasons.
The bolt down floor mount and the tilt feature are exactly what I was looking for in the footprint I wanted it.
The price and the people selling it. I added a surface grinder to the package and stayed in my budget.

After owning this for a bit I have no issues.
James
 
matto6 said:
Thanks. I just spoke with George and it will indeed run in reverse. They just don't include the switch for liability reasons, but it's not hard to add the switch.
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Just because it will run in reverse doesn't been tracking can be adjusted in reverse ;) I haven't personally found that I use it much though.
 
I use reverse only for putting in drawn swedges on the non-show side of clip point blades, but I really like it for that. I have a Reeder and wish it had a better tensioner. Maybe the ratcheting tensioner like the Northridge.
 
Ken H> said:
others prefer the metal spring, but with a compression spring.
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Are you saying some folks care about whether the spring is compressed vs stretched because it's on the other side of a lever?

Why would someone concern themselves with this choice? Levers work just fine, right? Does it just add on more point of play in the system?
 
Ken was referring to a simple coil spring. They are usually compressed on a tension arm, but some home builds us a stretched spring. It does not matter.

What people like about a ratchet is it is quickly and easily set by the user at the tension needed each time you change a belt. A spring or gas shock has one setting without making adjustments to bolts and such.
You can tighten or loosen a ratchet while the grinder is running.
 
matto6 said:
Are you saying some folks care about whether the spring is compressed vs stretched because it's on the other side of a lever?

Why would someone concern themselves with this choice? Levers work just fine, right? Does it just add on more point of play in the system?
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Stacy answered nicely, but to expand a bit on the answer. Yes, I'm referring to a compression spring that's located between the tension arm's pivot point and the front of grinder. While I've read some folks to claim the stretch spring that's located behind the pivot point doesn't track as well, I've never understood the difference in location. I prefer the compression located in front of pivot point because that helps keep a smaller footprint. The really important thing in tracking is a very rigid tension arm with no flex, and no slack in the pivot point.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
What people like about a ratchet is it is quickly and easily set by the user at the tension needed each time you change a belt. A spring or gas shock has one setting without making adjustments to bolts and such.
You can tighten or loosen a ratchet while the grinder is running.
Click to expand...
the Vashti grinder I've got is gas sprung, and it has a gizmo that addresses what you're talking about
 
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