Lowes has a entry level grinder

[Tom Lewis]

I just noticed Lowes has an entry level grinder. It comes with a contact wheel, a flat platen and some small wheels. This might be something someone wanting a grinder might check out. One thing I noticed was it seemed to say it took 2" x 82 " belts. That could be a problem.

 

[fitzo]

Tom Lewis . Did you notice a holder for the small wheels, Tom?

 

[Thescrawnylumberjack]

I find that in some cases availability of abrasives is extremely important. Currently running a 2X48 and it’s a great grinder absolute workhorse. However finding something like 2x48 or 1x48 scalloped belts is a pain. I need to special order them. It gets worse with structured ceramic abrasives. Those belts also need to be special ordered but the minimum quantity is 50 belts.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

It is the Vevor grinder. It has small wheel attachment ana contact wheel, and a flat platen. Amazon and Vevor also sell it. It is a 2HP 110VAC unit that draws 22 amps, so make sure you have a dedicated 30Amp outlet. While the price is moderate - $800-850, I don't know anything about the quality of this Chinese machine. Vevor offers it in VS for an additional $125.

One thing I found was there does not seem to be a good supplier for the belts. From what I see Lowe's doesn't have 2X82 belts. Amazon does, but make sure you get the metal working belts, not the woodworking ones (unless you are getting some for handle work).
Belts should be available by the dozen with a special order for 2X82" from major abrasive suppliers. 50X2000mm belts should fit fine if you can find them.

My thoughts are that spending a bit more and getting a reliable 2X72 would be money better spent. I would love to hear from anyone who owns this grinder.

 

[Taz]

They have 2; one is a single speed (but the description says rotating speeds?) for $900 and the other is the variable speed for like $1200. My buddy has the variable speed one and that is advertised often as a 2x72 he bought straight from Vevor. They also have a tilting single speed and variable speed model now, too. Most people cut off a few inches of the arm bar to make it run 72" belts vs the 82". I thought I also saw someone do something where they flipped the tracking wheel to run under the arm or something to run 72" belts a long time ago when the first chinese 2x82 hit the market? Cutting the arm bar may be better? There is 1 arm bar and the tool rest mounts to it, but the attachments all share the same arm bar. May be worth it to get extra arm bars?

The variable speed uses a converter to boost 110 to 220v, then into the VFD, so getting a 110V input, 220V output VFD may be worth looking in to. I gotta get over to my buddies place and check it out and see how it actually is. He likes it, but it's his first grinder. Will probably be a step up from the Grizzly 2x42 though!

 

[Tom Lewis]

Fitzo, regarding a holder for the small wheels, all I know is the pictures on Lowes website.

 

[fitzo]

Fitzo, regarding a holder for the small wheels, all I know is the pictures on Lowes website.

Thanks, Tom. There isn't one pictured there on the Lowe's pics that I could recognize, and I wondered if I had missed something. I looked at the one on AMZ to see it after Stacy mentioned it.

 

[aareeyesee]

Lots of YouTube blacksmith and bladesmiths have reviews on them. Walter Sorrells, Christ centered iron works, to name a couple. If you search vevor belt grinder all kinds of reviews and vids for convert to 72. If I remember correctly it's just cutting like 3" off the arm.

Most the reviews are fine but I haven't seen any long term recaps. For about 1200 can build a housemade and my grizzly *2x48* frankenstein is still working great so even less of a reason for me to try one of the vevors out.

 

[navman]

According to a youtube review, the dude just cut off 1.5 inches off the arm.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

For $1200 you can do a Reeder 2X72 with a 2HP VFD motor.

 

[A.McPherson]

For $1200 you can do a Reeder 2X72 with a 2HP VFD motor.

MUCH better machine...

 

[Drew Riley]

Just looked it up. Seem like a decent little package, though I think there are better options for the money (or for just a little bit more).
I've said it before, but I think there is a HUUUUGE missed opportunity by the big box sander/grinder brands (dewalt, craftsman, ryobi, delta, etc...) to not offer some sort of tool arm capable machine in the sub $500 or $600 range. Heck, even in the $1000 range. I really don't think it's out of the question, especially given recent offerings from brands like Grizzly. I'm even surprised that there's really not any option in a fixed speed 2x72 option like craftsman used to offer with the 2x42 / 2x48 options.