Recommendations Needed Please

Ken H> said:
Where I considering to buy, I think I'd go with the Reeder chassis for $600:
https://reederproducts.com/shop?olsPage=products/rps101-grinder-chassis&page=2

Then a wheel set from OBG for $68: https://www.ebay.com/itm/262093781835?
OR, if you think you'd prefer metal wheels for $100: https://www.ebay.com/itm/264360959784?

Then a cheap Chinese VFD for $60: https://www.ebay.com/itm/133096467035? (will need to install filters over air inlets)
OR, a MUCH more expensive KBAC-27D for closer to $360: http://www.electricmotorwholesale.com/9520-KBAC-27D/

A 3600 rpm 2 hp 3 ph motor for $165 shipped: https://bit.ly/2KtNXYV
or 1800 rpm 2 hp 3 ph motor for $218 shipped: https://bit.ly/33bHfzr

That will put you into very good 2X72 setup for around $1,000 to $1200 depending on choice of VFD. For a hobby setup I like the ease of the Chinese VFD setup, and with filters over the air inlets the NEMA 1 enclosure isn't an issue for metal dust. It might blow in 5 or so years. IF you're planning a full time 40 hr/wk use, then I'd most likely go with the NEMA 4X KBAC VFD.

You can build your own and save perhaps $300 or so.

Ken H>
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Great post and suggestions Ken!!

Only thing I disagree with you about is the fact that those obm wheel sets are terrible... I tried some and ended up throwing them in the trash. It's like they weren't balanced or true, caused a lot of extra vibration in my grinder anyway.

I've had good success with Knife Grinder Parts, excellent quality and price. It would run about $160 for the wheels.
 
razor-edge-knives said:
Great post and suggestions Ken!!

Only thing I disagree with you about is the fact that those obm wheel sets are terrible... I tried some and ended up throwing them in the trash. It's like they weren't balanced or true, caused a lot of extra vibration in my grinder anyway.

I've had good success with Knife Grinder Parts, excellent quality and price. It would run about $160 for the wheels.
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I should have clarified which parts I linked to I've actually used, but didn't. I'd heard lots of good things on OBG stuff, but didn't know. I've used plastic wheels I made myself and they worked just fine. Where you wheels you threw away the plastic or aluminum wheels OBG sells?

I've not used the Reeder 2X72 grinder, but have looked at them pretty close at Blade in Atlanta a couple of times and watched videos of them. They seem pretty well made, and I REALLY like the tracking system they now use. I also prefer the aluminum construction. The price of the basic frame set is pretty good at $600 (plus shipping).

I do sorta prefer the Chinese VFDs due to the digital display that will indicate SFPM belt speed..... and cheap price helps also.
 
Ken H> said:
I should have clarified which parts I linked to I've actually used, but didn't. I'd heard lots of good things on OBG stuff, but didn't know. I've used plastic wheels I made myself and they worked just fine. Where you wheels you threw away the plastic or aluminum wheels OBG sells?

I've not used the Reeder 2X72 grinder, but have looked at them pretty close at Blade in Atlanta a couple of times and watched videos of them. They seem pretty well made, and I REALLY like the tracking system they now use. I also prefer the aluminum construction. The price of the basic frame set is pretty good at $600 (plus shipping).

I do sorta prefer the Chinese VFDs due to the digital display that will indicate SFPM belt speed..... and cheap price helps also.
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Yeah that reeder grinder looks legit for the $$! And the Chinese vfd would be fine too, as long as not too difficult to set up.

I used the plastic wheels, I don't know how their aluminum ones are.
 
Gilbert M said:
E Eddie Pollock most of it just bolts together you can see it at the assembly instructions. You do have to drill a few holes I think they are marked it's important to do a good job drilling the hole on the idler block (it is started for you) and you need to tap two holes one for the idler wheel and one for the idler adjuster. It would be nice to tap two holes for your idler wheels in what he calls the platen. When I made mine I was about a year into knife making with no or little experience I put it together in a day and painted it the second day. There's a steel yard near me that does some fabrication I think they'll tap a hole for 5 bucks if your not comfortable with that part, I'm sure you could find someone to help you. Other than tapping holes it's easy. Hope this helps.
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Very helpful. Thank you!
 
Can you get the job done yes. But you will be kick yourself in the butt if you don't. And then you will buy a vfd after you burn up a couple blade. So in the long run you will spend more money. It is almost impossible to sand handle material at full speed with out burning it. I bought the OBM grinder frame and bought a motor and vfd separately and payed about the same price as the grinder you just linked. That grinder you linked is about $1000 dollars with shipping. For a thousand dollars you can get a grinder with VFD.
 
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Will I have problems using a 1 1/2 hp 3 phase motor with a vfd plugging in to a 110 volt outlet in my garage?
 
A grinder will be the heart and soul of your knifemaking shop. I'd suggest spending more money than that and get a wilmont or other higher end grinder but then again I'm more interested in making knives than building knifemaking equipment or even spending much time tweaking equipment.
 
Eddie Pollock said:
Will I have problems using a 1 1/2 hp 3 phase motor with a vfd plugging in to a 110 volt outlet in my garage?
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No you won't have a problem w/ that... the VFD also doubles as a "phase converter" and will allow it to work on 110v. Just read the manual when you set it up.
 
Eddie Pollock said:
Can I get the job done ok without a VFD motor? I am looking at one with a single phase motor.
https://www.ebay.com/itm//253483395746?
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That's a $1,000 package shipped and still a 1 ph motor and a poor design for the belt tension at that. For the $1,000 you can get a GOOD Reeder (or other) grinder with VFD and 3 ph motor.

The only problem with the cheap Chinese VFD drives is they require 220 VAC and you mentioned 120 VAC only? Is there any way you could use a long extension cord to get 220 from a dryer (or other) plug? The KBAC drive will work on 120 vac and run a 1-1/2 hp motor just fine. I suspect it will run a 2 hp motor just fine, but perhaps only allow 1-1/2 hp to be pulled from the 2 hp motor. The KBAC will "only" cost an extra $300 over the Chinese VFD.
 
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