I've finally chosen a 2x72 grinder.......

B

BAZYRKYR

Joined
May 31, 2014
Messages
12
After months of looking at various grinder setups and grinder plans I've finally made my decision. At first I was going to "build" a 2x48 setup using the new JET IBG-8 and the PA 2x48 multitool (which cost about $800 when all said and done), as opposed to the Grizzly 2x72 that many folks start out with, but after looking at the cost of buying a quality starter rig and the future cost of upgrading I decided to just bite the bullet, save for a bit longer, and buy a 2x72.

Now you can build yourself a usable 2x72 rig for under $800 depending on how you go about it. Sometimes well under if you have the right tools and don't mind using questionable parts. And you can get a pretty nice base model factory made machine, built with high quality parts, for $1000-$1300 but even with these I notice that many folks I've come across inevitably end up asking questions about how to upgrade this and how to upgrade that and that is something I want to avoid. The two most common upgrades asked about seem to be about a variable speed converion and direct drive so having those features were two of my criteria from the beginning.

Now rather than buy a steel chassis from a manufacture for $600-$1100 (depending on how much it comes with)I decided to build my own 6061-t6 chassis and I spent weeks and weeks coming up with various designs and sourcing parts & material to get the best bang for my buck but then I came across this.......




The North Ridge Tool (NRT) 2x72 Grinder (http://northridgetool.com/)
(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQu-8WepdhoLfA_BSzwmYng)

Mine will be equipped with a Baldor CM3554 and a KBAC-27D (with all of the optional features). Everything included in the pictures above, except the motor and vfd, should be here this week. Now I just need to save for the motor, vfd, belts, and material and I'll be off and running.

According to their website they start at $899 (for everything in the pics minus motor and vfd) but they have three listings on eBay. One for $850, one for $850/Make Offer, and one they auction. The auction prices are all over the place...one time one went actually went for more than it's listed for. Thankfully I got it for the best price to date. I paid $691 + $43.40 shipping. There is no way I could have made something of this quality for any less and compared to the others in it's price range it appears to be a better finished product so I think I did alright. When it's all said and done, not including other tool arms & accessories, I'll have about $1600 into it.
 
I have looked at this grinder also and the only thing I don't like is that the platen wheels are not smooth. I use mine now for lots of shaping and I think they might cause some issues. With that being said, I don't have a small wheel attachment.
 
Well, it seems these guys put a great deal of thought into this product and I think they manufactured them like that for a specific reason. Personally I don't foresee any issues...but only time will tell. Now when I saw the 10"-12" serrated wheels on the AMK-77, which is a pretty cool machine and the other one I was considering, I thought about them what you are thinking about these little machined wheels on the NRT Grinder. But many folks use those large serrated wheels without issue and they are way more extreme than these. I guess it's all in how you use it.
 
Damn you Bazy, I'm the guy who had that thing under bid at 680! curses on you---no seriously I think that's a good choice, I already have one 2x72 and this one was gonna be alongside that one. I have been talking to Northridge and I hopeful they will offer a turn-key system soon--I am also hoping they will come up with a surface grinding attachment--the one 2x72 I have comes with both a flat platen and a contact wheel--it's an AMK, which also have a presence on the Bay...they have told me they are working on a surface grinding attachment for their system, and that they will be at Blade Show in Atlanta this year. Good luck on finding a great deal on a motor and VFD--I've seen some good ones on the Bay.....
 
BAZYRKYR said:
Well, it seems these guys put a great deal of thought into this product and I think they manufactured them like that for a specific reason. Personally I don't foresee any issues...but only time will tell. Now when I saw the 10"-12" serrated wheels on the AMK-77, which is a pretty cool machine and the other one I was considering, I thought about them what you are thinking about these little machined wheels on the NRT Grinder. But many folks use those large serrated wheels without issue and they are way more extreme than these. I guess it's all in how you use it.
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I'm not sure which contact wheels you are talking about but I have a serrated 8". It's rubber though, not aluminum. Anyway, that's not a big deal. Let us know what you think when you get it up and running as I've been looking into getting one also!
 
looks like a nicely built machine. Maybe a spinoff of the Wilmont Little Buddy. Only thing I see that might be a concern is that the motor is mounted separate to the grinder. It might be a bear to get and keep the tracking right. Let us know how you like it once it's up and running.
 
I checked that out and it looks like a great deal

Congrats you have a great grinder, well done!
 
Fish30114 said:
Damn you Bazy, I'm the guy who had that thing under bid at 680! curses on you---no seriously I think that's a good choice, I already have one 2x72 and this one was gonna be alongside that one. I have been talking to Northridge and I hopeful they will offer a turn-key system soon--I am also hoping they will come up with a surface grinding attachment--the one 2x72 I have comes with both a flat platen and a contact wheel--it's an AMK, which also have a presence on the Bay...they have told me they are working on a surface grinding attachment for their system, and that they will be at Blade Show in Atlanta this year. Good luck on finding a great deal on a motor and VFD--I've seen some good ones on the Bay.....
Click to expand...

Lol...my bad. And thanks. I gotta say though...I'm glad I got it.. I've been watching it for a couple weeks and it seems the best bang for your buck when compared to the others in a similar price range. It seem better finished too.

Regarding NRT...I spoke to them today as well and was told that in the next couple of months they have some things coming out. A tipping stand in like 3 weeks and a small wheel setup in 8 weeks.

As far as the AMK-77 goes...that was one of the ones on my list of potential grinders. I love that it has the platen/wheel combo. But the fit & finish, adaptability, and the easy of which certain things can be fixed on the NRT just called to me.

As far as the motor and VFD....I was looking at the Leeson 110918 and the Baldor CM3554 and it seems the general consensus is that the Leeson is nice but the Baldor is better (and still American made). I found the Baldor for about $275 which is only $25 more than the Leeson so unless I hear anything to the contrary then Baldor it is. For the VFD I'm going to buy a pre-wired KBAC-27D from Wayne Coe so that I don't end up messing things up. A VFD would be a bad thing to have to replace...especially one you just bought.

One more thing...keep checking eBay. I'm sure that NRT will be posting another soon. Just set a max price (in your head) of what you think it's worth and don't go one penny over it. I was hoping for $650 + shipping but you guys beat me out of $41 ... now I gotta wait a week for the motor. :( lol Then right as the auction ends...snipe away.
 
NC Biker said:
looks like a nicely built machine. Maybe a spinoff of the Wilmont Little Buddy. Only thing I see that might be a concern is that the motor is mounted separate to the grinder. It might be a bear to get and keep the tracking right. Let us know how you like it once it's up and running.
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Will do. I was a bit concerned about that too but if I have an issue (and I don't think I will) I'll contact NRT for some help. They have a tilting plate coming out in about 3 weeks and the only way for it to works is if the motor is attached so I think that will be the solution.
 
Bazy, sounds like you've got a good approach. I will tell you that I think a lot of Leeson motors, in fact I upgraded to a 3HP leeson on my AMK--having said that if you have found a comparable baldor for only $25 more, than that's the way I would go too! You will like that VFD--that's what I ended up with on my AMK. And yes, one thing that really got my attention on the Northridge unit is the materials they use and their approach and attitude toward building stuff. I think you will have a very desirable grinder, especially with that motor and VFD you're going for
Best to you--Don
 
Fish30114 said:
Bazy, sounds like you've got a good approach. I will tell you that I think a lot of Leeson motors, in fact I upgraded to a 3HP leeson on my AMK--having said that if you have found a comparable baldor for only $25 more, than that's the way I would go too! You will like that VFD--that's what I ended up with on my AMK. And yes, one thing that really got my attention on the Northridge unit is the materials they use and their approach and attitude toward building stuff. I think you will have a very desirable grinder, especially with that motor and VFD you're going for
Best to you--Don
Click to expand...

Thanks Don. I'll post an update once I get all the parts and put it together.
 
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