GRINDER THREAD - All about the GRINDERS available

blanders98272 said:
I got an OBM grinder. After about a day it started popping belts. These are Combat Abrasives Shredder belts that I've been using for years, but this grinder kept breaking them. I wrote to OBM and the guy responded by saying, 'our grinder is not breaking your belts, send it back if it doesn't work.' Really, really disappointing answer from them. They have no desire to help people who buy their products. Major fail on their part. I'm shipping the grinder back at my own expense.
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That wonderful attitude at OBM is precisely why I own a Pheer.
 
Becks Armory 2nd Gen B.A. Shredder

I hope a build kit qualifies for this thread and if not please remove. I ran this grinder for over a year and for the most part I like it with the exception of a few things.

1) All the large knobs to adjust platen angle and tooling arms seem a little tight at times. There is a lot going on in a small space.

2) Most of the frame is built from 1/4” steel and while its certainly strong enough jumping some parts up to 3/8” would make a smoother grinder. Not saying it has lots of vibrations but it does have some.

3) The tensioner/tracking arm is way to forward for my uses. I really like to use the section of belt between tracking wheel and top platen wheel but the arm gets in the way especially if you want to sharpen on the grinder. I prefer to sharpen with belt running normal direction at a slow speed and edge facing me. I know its more dangerous blah blah blah and should run in reverse but I have way more control doing it that way whether its free hand or with a jig setup on a tooling arm.

4) The baseplate is quite large and sort of an x shape that has 4 rubber feet mounted at the corners. Its made out of 1/4” plate as well and comes in 2 pieces that are welded and locked into the riser assembly when building. It seems to be that overtime the base plate is going to sag in the middle and cause issues. A rubber foot in middle seems to make sense but I have not gotten around to it yet.

Those are my major gripes and overall I feel are minor. I believe he is now producing the 4th Gen of these and has solved some of these issues. Thicker steel has been swapped in and the tensioning arm has been pulled back quite a bit. That part is only what I have read and not seen in person so do your own research there. As for building it the project was quite easy to weld with novice welding skills. Would I do it again? Yes but I would look hard at the newest model.
 
I am new to this site, so please, forgive me if I am in the wrong place to post. My Husband died recently. He was a great knife craftsman. I know that he was a member of this forum. He bought a grinder from Ameriblade a year ago. He used it maybe a handful of times before he got so sick from the cancer, that he couldn’t use it anymore. I want to find someone who is just as passionate about knife making, as he was. Someone who understands the equipment and its value. That is why I’m looking on here.
If someone knows Theresa help her out personally. Do not reply here.

Sales info removed.
 
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First off I am truly sorry for your loss and I think its great of you to want to pass this on to another maker. I dont believe this is the right thread to make that happen however. I suspect one of the moderators will be along and can point you in right direction but probably want to list this in the classifieds section.
 
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Theresa,
So sorry for your loss. You didn't say who your husband was, but I bet some of us know him from the forum, and maybe personally.

As the previous poster said, this isn't the place for selling/buying. You also didn't give any way to contact you or photos and list of accessories.
All sales are done in The Exchange. As a registered user you can't post there. My suggestion is to get someone who is a member that knew your husband to post the sales thread in The Exchanges - Knifemaker's Market - Supplies and Tools.

I am going to edit the sales info out of your post. Feel free to email me and I'll try and see what we can do to help you.
sapelt@cox.net

Forum Members - If you know Theresa, help her out. Others please do not post offers or requests for info.
 
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I was researching and looking for a while for a grinder frame only (with tilting ability integrated into the frame/base) that I could use with an extra platen and work rest I already had.

Ameribrade didn't work due to a distance issue. Reeder would have been great but would have been around $1100-1200 with the frame and tilting base.

So when I remembered someone here posting about Torus CNC I looked them up. Rich had them on sale for $450 (frame, tracking wheel, and tilting base) so I figured this was the ticket. Works perfect with the parts I already had on hand.

While it doesn't have a reverse tracking function, tracking is excellent. I do wish the tracking arm were a little beefier and when tilting the balance isn't as nice as other machines I've handled - but for the price point it's spectacular.

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Hey guys,
I've been wanting to bite the bullet and buy a grinder and begin shaping some cooking knives. I originally was set on getting a crappy 1x30 but had read that they quickly become annoying to use with the lack of power and aren't worth the money. I'm on a budget and have seen a few on aliexpress which peaked my interest and wanted to know which one you would go for as a beginner knife maker. I did consider the grizzly but as I live is Australia these are my only affordable options I've been able to find.
1X30 550watt
2X36 750 watt

Sales links removed.
 
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Welcome novicesmith. Fill out your profile so we know a bit more about you and where in Australia you live.

I removed the sales links, as they are not allowed.

The 1HP 2X36 will be a much better choice for knifemaking that a .6HP 1X30.
 
I’ve owned two grinders both from ameribrade.

The 2x48 variable speed grinder which is a fantastic entry level grinder. The work rest left much to be desired however they now have an upgrade available for a much better work rest add on. The only other draw back is the more limited availability of abrasives. You could get anything you want but you’d have to special order it and meet minimum quantities.

Next up 2x72 ameribrade mastery package.

What a fantastic grinder I have nothing negative to say about the grinder. The only thing I don’t care for is the accessories are meant to be stored on the pedestal stand but when they’re there they get covered in dust and metal shards.

Ameribrade has always had excellent customer service. I’ve needed to call them before and I ask them questions quite regularly on Instagram.
 
I also have a Pheer and have had 0 issues with it. I wanted a Northridge and they were very rude when I called them to talk about what I wanted. Went with pheer chassis and drive wheel. Had my own motor and VFD. When I get my shop set up I'll probably buy another (working out of the garage right now).
 
I bought an Ameribrade mastery package a few years ago. It’s a solid, extremely well made, American made grinder. The guys at Ameribrade are quick to answer questions via e-mail and the few times I needed advice from them they were informative and helpful. I’ve bought a lot of the accessories from them and find their surface grinder to be top notch! The 1hp, 110volt option works very well for me. I also like the reverse option as it comes in handy when using their knife sharpening attachment (I don’t know if there’s any other use for reverse). The stand is heavy duty and has places to store a lot of your tables with arms etc.
The only negatives I could come up with is a few of my platen wheel bearings seemed to wear a little quicker than I thought they should. But the bearing are easily sourced online and easy to replace. Also, the casters that came with the stand were the type that you have to screw down by hand to lock the grinder in place. I found them to be a pain to use so they were replaced with the “toe kick” lock/unlock casters which work much better for me.
 
Jeffinn said:
I bought an Ameribrade mastery package a few years ago. It’s a solid, extremely well made, American made grinder. The guys at Ameribrade are quick to answer questions via e-mail and the few times I needed advice from them they were informative and helpful. I’ve bought a lot of the accessories from them and find their surface grinder to be top notch! The 1hp, 110volt option works very well for me. I also like the reverse option as it comes in handy when using their knife sharpening attachment (I don’t know if there’s any other use for reverse). The stand is heavy duty and has places to store a lot of your tables with arms etc.
The only negatives I could come up with is a few of my platen wheel bearings seemed to wear a little quicker than I thought they should. But the bearing are easily sourced online and easy to replace. Also, the casters that came with the stand were the type that you have to screw down by hand to lock the grinder in place. I found them to be a pain to use so they were replaced with the “toe kick” lock/unlock casters which work much better for me.
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They actually called me about 2 months after I bought the grinder to check in and see if I was having any issues or had any comments or concerns. I was blown away by that.
 
I'm suprised the Mark Graves frame kit is not got any more coverage than one ping from 2021 on this forum. I got a BurrKing in 94' or so and was wanting to move into a tooling arm grinder for larger wheels and all the attachments. I had a list of requirements---ratchet,tilt,1.5" arm etc. and was ready to build but found his listing on ebay .....just a set of lasercut plates with accurate alignment tabs. It took all of maybe 2 hours welding and hey its fit the bill. It tilts and has a unique fine tooth ratchet that works perfect. The tracking is acceptable as well. Comes with a platen and c frame. This unit is under $400. The motor mounts on a base plate rather than a c-face frame....it works.

I'm impressed enough to be suprised that not much pops up about this grinder.
 
Welcome. 20 years here and first post ... impressive self-restraint.

I think the grinder frame kit isn't as popular because it is only a frame. By the time you add the, platens, work rests, he sells to finish it, the cost is over $1000 ... and you still need wheels, tool arms, tracking, motor, VFD ... You might as well buy a finished product.
 
Come on it was 19 3/4 years!

Life gets in the way....recently retired and trying to regroup.

I see your point, I did buy all the parts and such before I saw his frame. But there are quite a few frame only options out there that seem pretty popular.
 
I'm a big fan of the Reeder basic chassis package and wheel kit. The combo runs less than a grand, and it has everything but the motor/VFD (and a contact wheel if you want/need one).
I always recommend his contact wheels. He turns them on a lathe and balances them. I think they are the best available ... and the price is reasonable.
 
I just pulled the trigger on the Pheer PH454. One heck of a price going right now. I’d check it out if in the market for new toys. Can’t wait to have a big box show up at the house. Jose responded to my emailed question yesterday on New Years’ day, can’t beat that!
 
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