Northridge Tool 2"x72" Grinder

Northridge tool said:
Lets be fair about this, if we emailed back and forth for a month I would say you didn't tell me you were in CA until the end when you were ready to order, we have had problems with CA customs they do not want products produced in other counties sent in most people who send things there lie about the cost for one, to lower the duties, and second when it goes over a certain dollar value they want a lot of info such as how many bolts and screws are in it, how many cubic centimeters each part is, origin of each part and description usually it paid for with PayPal if they seize it the customer can request their money back from PayPal and its on us to figure out how to retrieve it, we have had many Canadians drive down to pick them up and request invoices for less than they paid, for the above reasons, if they get pulled over the Mounties will ask for a receipt they will check the website to compare prices if they believe its new and the invoice is false they will seize it, it hasn't happened but that's what I have been told and then its up to us to straighten it out, we are very busy all the time our Ohio shop is small with limited people and we don't have time for the possible problems, Australia is another country that their customs don't want imports and we have had a nightmare with them before, maybe in the future we can hire someone to deal with international shipping but right now we are content selling in the USA.
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Being Canadian was mentioned early on, and I was quoted shipping costs in what I assumed was a tactic to gauge how serious I was about ordering. The $400usd quote didn't deter my interest. Infact, I paid $745usd freight, and $220cad customs when purchasing the KMG-TX.

As stated above, I understand the concerns of shipping to Canada. I imagine all the concerns you just listed have happened in the past. Whether at Northridge or other US based companies. However, I did not expect or even mention falsifying information on the custom declaration forms. As a business owner, this is something I would never do myself either.

I think we can lay this to bed. I respect the reasons for the decision, but I don't agree with how I was treated in the end.
 
I feel the need to step in here.

George and Chuck have gone above and beyond for everyone I’ve spoken to who has purchased a Northridge including myself. I’ve probably talked to George on the phone a good 40+ times. Almost all started with a question about wiring in an apartment for the grinder, or their contact wheels being held to less then 2 thou run out, all their parts are machined flat and parallel, and then the conversation turns into like talking to an old friend or family member.

George may come across as a little blunt in text or email but he is 100% a no bullshit kind of guy. Plus in email you can’t pick up someone’s tone etc. He tells it like it is, which is refreshing in a world where everyone sugar coats or flat out deceives their customers(looking at you kmg and OBM)

My wiring was bad in my apt garage and George took the time to walk me through a bunch of steps to try on a Saturday afternoon when he was helping his mom. Another time I had questions regarding tolerances and I could hear him literally stop the cnc machine he was in front of just to answer my questions and shoot the breeze. This was not a short conversation either.

Put a test indicator on your drive, tracking, or idler or contact wheels from any other grinder and tell me if they are concentric within a thousandth? I’ll bet my Northridge they aren’t. Now measure the spacing between drive and tracking and idlers? Within tenths.

Or when you buy the standard like a dumbass(myself) then upgrade to a pro down the road but can’t figure out how to attach the gas shock to go from vertical to horizontal and Chuck walks me through his trick to doing it without crushing your fingers. Again this was on a weekend day. You can’t find customer service like that anymore.

If you bought the grinder and had an issue after I’d call that customer service, letting you know they don’t ship out of the country due to customs and restrictions that are placed almost entirely on the seller isn’t bad customer service just stating facts.
 
Jesse Miller said:
Good day! I wanted to take a moment and share about my experience with Northridge Tool Company and the 2x72 grinder I recently purchased from them.

Last October, I began my hunt for a 2x72 grinder of my own. I read as much as I could, and tried out as many machines as I could get access to. At that point, I had had the opportunity to grind blades on a Bader, a KMG, a Burr King, and a TW-90. As I was making my inquiries I was told, by a blade smith that I respect greatly, to talk to George, owner of Northridge Tool. After a week or two, I gave George a call and wound up talking to him for over an hour. He not only educated me about what it takes to produce a quality machine, but he also showed me that he loves what he does and is constantly working to make things better. I bought the Pro Package (as seen in the link below) and I added on a 10" contact wheel and tool arm. http://www.northridgetool.com/packages

This grinder is amazing. It's runs incredibly smoothly, and all the parts are machined to very high standards. The belt tensioning system is super low-travel; getting proper tension is a snap. Another thing I really love about this grinder is the system that allows me to transition from vertical to horizontal drive orientation. It uses a strut that makes the transition smooth and effortless. The chassis of this grinder has a high quality coating that is durable and pretty to look at, keeping the machine from rusting. The chassis on mine sports two tool arm attachment channels, and the in-house-built system for securing the tool/accessory arm employs a set screw that pushes a tensioner plate to evenly distribute the force of the locking arm. The tracking control is on point. Just a little movement on the adjustment screw goes a long way.

The drive system: I had mine wired for 240 volts to get the maximum potential from the Leeson motor. The Leeson TEFC 2HP 4 pole AC motor is controlled by a KB-27D VFD unit. This sucker will sing!! I haven't even used it turned up to 100% output; plenty of power in other words. The output from VFD is steady and is easily controlled.

Grinding: I learned to grind on a Burr King, which I still love using when I'm in that particular shop. I also had the privilege of grinding blades on a KMG, a Bader, and a TW-90. I really like using the TW-90, but I like grinding with my Northridge even better. It's just so freaking smooth and true. Things I found challenging in the past, such as producing dead flat and even bevels are made considerably easier with my Northridge.

If I could change one thing about my Northridge, I would like to have rubber idler wheels on the flat platen that comes with it instead of aluminum, so I could do some radius work without switching to the small wheel tool arm.

Bottom line; If you want an amazing machine that allows you to do your best work, don't hesitate to get in touch with George and get yourself a Northridge. You won't be disappointed.

confirmation
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How does this compare to the Origin belt grinder?
 
Northridge tool said:
Lets be fair about this, if we emailed back and forth for a month I would say you didn't tell me you were in CA until the end when you were ready to order, we have had problems with CA customs they do not want products produced in other counties sent in most people who send things there lie about the cost for one, to lower the duties, and second when it goes over a certain dollar value they want a lot of info such as how many bolts and screws are in it, how many cubic centimeters each part is, origin of each part and description usually it paid for with PayPal if they seize it the customer can request their money back from PayPal and its on us to figure out how to retrieve it, we have had many Canadians drive down to pick them up and request invoices for less than they paid, for the above reasons, if they get pulled over the Mounties will ask for a receipt they will check the website to compare prices if they believe its new and the invoice is false they will seize it, it hasn't happened but that's what I have been told and then its up to us to straighten it out, we are very busy all the time our Ohio shop is small with limited people and we don't have time for the possible problems, Australia is another country that their customs don't want imports and we have had a nightmare with them before, maybe in the future we can hire someone to deal with international shipping but right now we are content selling in the USA.
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I live in Australia and have purchased heaps of equipment from overseas I actually import all my steel and materials from the USA and have never had a issue. Duty tax is payable if the items are over $1000 in value but if they have been shipped via DHL or FEDEX once the items have departed country of origin I get a phone call or email and they request payment of import duty taxes I pay it and once they land in Australia I'm ready to collect straight away.
 
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