Grizzly 2X42 grinder

K

Ken H>

Joined
Dec 31, 2011
Messages
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There has been a lot of discussion about Grizzly's 2X42 grinder and I almost ordered one. Today I saw this video
that got me all excited again, then saw Grizzly has it on sale for $300 with free shipping. I just had to order the darn thing. Good decision? Not at all sure, but we'll see. I envision using it with fine grit belts for finish grinding, sharpening, etc.
 
I have one for my main grinder and it’s been really good considering the price. I did have the motor just die on me a couple months ago but grizzly was great and sent me a brand new one for free. Also, I definitely would recommend a new platten, and a bigger work rest for starters. I bought both of those and a small wheel attachment from someone on here and they’ve really made it a ton nicer.
 
Good luck. I was one who purchased one of the first editions of this grinder. Three motors and controllers later, in less then 9 months, which included back order delays, I got my money back. I can’t fault Grizzly’s customer service, I just wish the motor/controller was more robust.
 
Just a warning about the 2X42 video "Jar of Sparks".
Any spark trap should have 1" of water in the bottom.
As the video person found out, the iron grindings will catch fire and can cause a shop fire.

I also feel that if you were to go to all that time and expense to rebuild a lightweight a grinder with a bad motor and controller ... you would have been better off to just build or get a 2X72 and have a reliable setup.

I was optimistic about the 2X42 Griz when it came out, but it turned out to be a really cheaply built machine. I don't know anyone who was totally happy with their purchase or used it as it came without significant rebuilding.
Every grinder I ever purchased is still running after decades. I doubt any of these Grizzlys will be running in even 5 years. Another thing to consider is that all accessories for most 2X72 grinders will be usable on all other 2X72 grinders, with the exception of some having different size tool arms.
 
I’ve had mine for about two weeks now. I have all the available mods ( with the exception of a large contact wheel). I am doubtful that the motor can pull the weight of a large wheel(8”) effectively. I am looking for the lightest wheel available as I’ve noticed the wheel weights vary greatly.

I would be disappointed if I had to rely on the 2x42 as my only grinder as it doesn’t like to be pushed. For lighter work such as scales/ handles it should be fine.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
I also feel that if you were to go to all that time and expense to rebuild a lightweight a grinder with a bad motor and controller ... you would have been better off to just build or get a 2X72 and have a reliable setup.
Click to expand...
That right there is what kept me from ordering the Grizzly grinder until now. Also the 2X42 belt size vs 2X48 belt which seems to be more common. For $300 it was so cheap, and the wife had just spent almost $300 on pedi-mani and hair appt. Totally worthless in my opinion so I might as well do something equally worthless (in her mind) {grinning broadly}.

While watching the video with all the mods he made to the Grizzly I kept thinking with all that work it was close to a new 2X72 build. The 2X42 (hope to use 2X48 belts) is so small it will fit in a small shop corner to do small light work. We'll see.
 
With your engineers problem solving mind you will get triple the price of the machine in fun! 👍
 
Ken H> said:
That right there is what kept me from ordering the Grizzly grinder until now. Also the 2X42 belt size vs 2X48 belt which seems to be more common. For $300 it was so cheap, and the wife had just spent almost $300 on pedi-mani and hair appt. Totally worthless in my opinion so I might as well do something equally worthless (in her mind) {grinning broadly}.

While watching the video with all the mods he made to the Grizzly I kept thinking with all that work it was close to a new 2X72 build. The 2X42 (hope to use 2X48 belts) is so small it will fit in a small shop corner to do small light work. We'll see.
Click to expand...
Believe me, I do not regret getting one.
 
From what I've seen I think the majority of people have got along well with these grinders. I own one of the very early ones and haven't had any issue though I hardly use it because I have my own 2x72s.
 
I’m actually kind of scared how long mines gonna last cause I really use it. I don’t have the money for a better one currently so I have to make due with what I have…
 
With the stuff Contender sold me for it, and the stuff I made on my own, as a hobby maker, I like mine. Way better than the single speed 1x30 and much cheaper than a 2x72. For me, it's Goldilocks.
 
OK, I just got the Grizzly grinder setup and did a tad of grinding with the included belt - I'm impressed! For $300 shipped - it's by far a better value than a $100 1X30 grinder for sure. Has anybody tried running a 2X48" belt without mods on the grinder? I cut a 2X72" belt and taped to make a 2X48" belt and it seems to be ok. It just seems like 2X48" belts might have a wider selection than 2X42" belts. Comments?
 
You can run a 2X48 on it. The tool arm will pull out just about to the end, though. That makes the setup a bit more flexible and may affect tracking. If doing mods to make a sturdier grinder with the tool arm from thicker metal, switching to 2X48 would be fine.
Where people use 2X48 belts on the stock Griz is when they run an 8" wheel on their Grizzly grinder.

Same goes for a 2X72 grinder running a very large wheel or extra-long platen. You can use a 2X82, 2X90, etc. belt.
 
I've got a 1/2"X1" aluminum bar in the shop - it was my plan to put spacers on the grinder so it would take the 1/2" bar for a tad extra support. After my post above I took a worn out 2X72 belt, cut down to 48" and taped with duct tape. It actually ran OK at low RPM. I've got 2X48" belts and a few 2X42" belts on order. Should be here next week sometime. Today I'm mounting a HF "harbor freight 95128" tool stand to mount the 2X42 on.

Later
 
Ken, I have run 2x48 and it works fine. In fact, because of my large wheel and taller flat platen I made, I've only been getting 42" belts for my small wheel attachment. Everything else gets 48".
 
I do all 2x42. I find that red label abrasives sells pretty much anything you can want for 2x42 belts.
 
Pops and TruGrit sell some good 2x42 belts as well.

The only thing I’ve found that won’t work with a 42 inch belt is any contact wheel 10 inches and up. An 8 inch contact wheel will barely work with 42 inch belts. The standard platen set up and small wheel attachments will work with either 42 or 48 inch belts, though as mentioned the 42 inch belts will keep the machine a little more rigid.
 
I got one of the first out I guess about 13 months ago. I actually haven't had to replace anything yet. I put 4in tracking and a housemade tracking arm, arm for spring for adjustable tension, and run 2x48 for small wheel, 8" and a Caffery type platen. Have a full size flat 10" platen and t framed the arms for stiffness to run 72s also. I made a slack setup as well and with the 72 belt you can really get a slack belt. Like crazy slack. I enjoy fabrication even more than making knifes so how much tinkering your interested in def matters. Once the motor finally gives up Ive already spoken with servomotorkit and he has some stuff that will bolt right on and get reverse and double the hp for few hundred bucks. Stacy is correct if you count time and trouble I could have def bought a housemade or similar "real grinder" but then I wouldn't of had all this damn fun tinkering. If I woulda just spent 2k I wouldn't be able to drag my wife out to the forge to show off the new doodad I just spent 4 hrs making.
 
I'm not sure how much modification I'll do to the 2X42" grinder, other than perhaps 1/2" tool arms. I've got a good 2X74 grinder. At $300 shipped I thought I'd get good use for fine grit belts for sharpening, final work, etc. Looks like a "toy" sitting alongside the 2X74, but I think it will be a useful toy.
 
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