I need help with a grinder purchase!

Dragons Breath Knives

Dragons Breath Knives

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Aug 24, 2014
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I am a newbie to knifemakilg. I am just finishing my first blade from a Nicholson file an currently have a Harbor Freight 1x30 grinder, which after a day of grinding, I can see it is not gonna do what I want. I have about $1000.00-$1200.00 budget and am thinking I want a 2x72" grinder. Can you guys offer some suggestions and is a 2x72 a good idea? Many thanks in advance! Jim
 
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If you use the search function you will find a bunch of threads on this subject. You will also find lots of info in the stickies.
 
Tx Bass Tech said:
If you use the search function you will find a bunch of threads on this subject. You will also find lots of info in the stickies.
Click to expand...

This is true, but there are things worth adding here:

1) See if you can go to some other makers' shops and try out theirs. It'll answer a lot of your questions.
2) Get variable speed from the outset, even if it costs more. Especially at the beginning, it's worth it.
3) Think about incremental costs. You can get a decent grinder for your budget, but for not too much more you can get a great one. Is it worth $600 more to you to get a grinder you'll never have to replace over one you'll never be really satisfied with?
4) Don't be led astray by popular brands. There are a lot of good grinder makers out there (finally!), and some of the newer ones are making better grinders for less money than a lot of the older, more established folks/companies. The Esteem grinder by Brett Matthews is the posterchild for this; it's hard to imagine getting more for your money than you can get from him. I'll be placing my order soon to replace my old, cheaper machine (see #3).

Just my $.02
 
YES!!!! A 2X72 is by far the best way to go for a grinder. Check this link for some ideas if you wish to build your own and note what I say about direct drive vs belt 'n pulley setup:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1234634-New-Grinder-for-me

"IF" you want to purchase a ready made grinder, there are several options out there, but they are going to set you back well over $1,000.

I just saw Travis's comment about variable speed - listen to the man!!!

One thing to consider in purchasing vs building - how many hrs per day do you plan to use the grinder? IF this is a full fledged commercial operation running 5 days/wk, then forget about the $1,000 budget and plan for $2K plus. For the weekend hobby work, less than $500 can build a very nice grinder.

Ken H>
 
Although you may prefer to buy U.S. made goods, there is a good reason to look at Canadian made grinders as the dollar exchange is really low right now ($1.00 Canadian vs $0.80 U.S.). I use a TDM grinder and think it's pretty good.
 
Check out the Coote 2x72. The grinder will run you $530 plus shipping for the 2x72 with a 10" wheel. Prices are cheaper for the smaller wheel sizes. You'll need to purchase a motor separately. Good motor prices and quality can be found at PTL Industrial.

www.cootebeltgrinder.com
www ptjindustrial.com
 
and one minor detail if it's going in a garage that I never read about before buying mine...make sure it isn't going on a GFCI circuit. If it is get the vfd with GFCI software so it will work.

got my grinder yesterday and the freaking thing won't work because of this so I either have to get a new VFD or pay and electrician to come put in a new circuit.
 
phorizt said:
and one minor detail if it's going in a garage that I never read about before buying mine...make sure it isn't going on a GFCI circuit. If it is get the vfd with GFCI software so it will work.

got my grinder yesterday and the freaking thing won't work because of this so I either have to get a new VFD or pay and electrician to come put in a new circuit.
Click to expand...

Hopefully, your VFD will run off of 240 or 120 VAC. If so, pay an electrician to run a 240 outlet to your garage rather than non-GFCI 120 volt. The smaller wire size will save you some money in copper. Plus, you'll even have a selling point if you ever move since someone could use that outlet to charge an electric car.

Mike
 
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