Looking for a grinder

C

Chad Michael

Joined
Oct 2, 2016
Messages
67
I'm in the process of kicking my 1x30 to the curb. I have 500$ to spend on a grinder and would rather buy a used 2x72 of decent quality than a grizzly.(would rather go with the 2x48 Kalamazoo). Some pointers on where to look would be greatly appreciated.
 
Go to the casino and multiply your money


A new "decent quality 2x72" is at least a couple thousand.
a DIY GIB will still go minimum fifteen hundred.

Try and search the used market.
They get snatched up quickly and the prices don't drop much
 
12345678910 said:
Go to the casino and multiply your money


A new "decent quality 2x72" is at least a couple thousand.
a DIY GIB will still go minimum fifteen hundred.

Try and search the used market.
They get snatched up quickly and the prices don't drop much
Click to expand...

If I did that I would walk out with zero dollars. Lol not a good gambler.
 
In that price range there is not a lot on the market to be had but you could take a look at the cootes grinder it well made and a easy to use grinder but you still need a motor.
 
I think I have decided to buy an Oregon chassis and just save up for a 1.5 hp baldor or leesen. All in will be around 800 and I can add vfd later.
 
Chad Michael said:
I think I have decided to buy an Oregon chassis and just save up for a 1.5 hp baldor or leesen. All in will be around 800 and I can add vfd later.
Click to expand...

Well, that means you would need to buy a new 3phase motor for that VFD.

so it is better to just save and get the VFD and motor
 
Yes, Adam has mentioned the motor. He's right - go with a 2hp, 3 ph motor ($127 shipped) and a Chinese open frame VFD ($116 shipped) and you're in business with the Oregon chassis. Put an air filter over the VFD air intakes and it will handle dust OK for hobby use. OR - even better, mount VFD in a plastic box to keep dust out.

Ken H>
 
Last edited:
check out Pheer Grinders, a decent 2x72 for around $1000 back when i purchased mine a few years ago....It's served me well, made many knives with it....... No complaints at all for the $$$....
 
I have about $400 in my grinder build initially and did it about as cheap as you can get.
Free metal
Free plasma cutting
free welding
cheap VFD $100
Wheels $100ish
Surplus motor $75ish
tooling arm metal $30
platen $100
I'm sure there is things I am forgetting but it all adds up.
If you have fabrication equipment and skill it saves the most money.
There are a ton of things I'd do differently and plan to as I am designing a new grinder.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1244694-Eerf-grinder-build-a-long
 
Ken H> said:
Yes, Adam has mentioned the motor. He's right - go with a 2hp, 3 ph motor ($127 shipped) and a Chinese open frame VFD ($116 shipped) and you're in business with the Oregon chassis. Put an air filter over the VFD air intakes and it will handle dust OK for hobby use. OR - even better, mount VFD in a plastic box to keep dust out.

Ken H>
Click to expand...

I second Ken here. Exactly what I did and couldn't be happier for under $800!
 
Chad Michael said:
I think I have decided to buy an Oregon chassis and just save up for a 1.5 hp baldor or leesen. All in will be around 800 and I can add vfd later.
Click to expand...

I can get you my guild info. I have a 2hp motor, VFD, and Oregon blade maker chassis for less than $800. It works wonderfully!
 
My Tw90 just came in yesterday, with the all the bells and whistles was $4070, im a professional hand engraver, and as many know when it comes to tools, buy the best that way you only buy once. Save your money and buy the best, you will work faster and with less hassles, remember time is money, im an engraver a knife maker, not a tool maker. I make more money per hour with the first two than being a tool maker.

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
 
gunengraver said:
My Tw90 just came in yesterday, with the all the bells and whistles was $4070, im a professional hand engraver, and as many know when it comes to tools, buy the best that way you only buy once. Save your money and buy the best, you will work faster and with less hassles, remember time is money, im an engraver a knife maker, not a tool maker. I make more money per hour with the first two than being a tool maker.

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

This. Its such a waste of time buying budget tools. Save and get the real deal. I had no idea what I was missing out on until I got my KMG.
 
I did my polar bear forge sling grinder with 1.5 hp motor (direct drive on this design means 1.5 is plenty for me) it is a single speed, but i find the 3600 sfpm speed works for me. All in i was just under $400. I may go with a variable speed set up down the road, but i think i will build a grinder that can use small wheels when I do that. I will keep the Sling for profiling and initial grinding.
 
Chad Michael said:
Thanks for all the replies fellas. Will the 2 horse work on 120v? I'm renting and can't have a 220 drop.
Click to expand...

I have a 2 hp/ 3 phase motor that can be wired for 1.5hp on 120v and 2hp on 220v. I also got the Kbac VFD for it. One thing of note that you should consider as a renter is GFCI. If you're like me, I have to use an outdoor receptacle which are required to have GFCI circuits. The thing is that GFCI plays havoc with variable speed controllers. Kbac offers a cheap upgrade to their vendors (like Pheer where I got mine, about $20) that allows the VFD to handle being plugged into a GFCI outlet.
 
Does anyone have experience with northridge tool grinders? 1700$ and it comes with some pretty fancy hardware. Just not much on the line about it.
 
Profiled out 11 kitchen knives on my Northridge today. I got the standard package with small wheel attachment. Love it so far. If yoy want I can put up a video of it running later with a few diff belts if you want to see how it tracks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top