Reeder 2'' X 72''

P

Peppie

Joined
Sep 15, 2017
Messages
54
Getting started in the knike griding world.
I have bought a Marithon 2ph 3phase motor and the KBAC-29 VFD.
I am still doing research on which grinder will fit my needs.
This will be a hobby. I dont plan to support myself with this tool/hobby.
That being said I cannot justify spending over $2000 on a bare bones base unit.
I have been compareing the Reeder, and the OBM. Each has it's pro's and each has it's cons.
It looks to me that the Reeder is more solid, has the horizonal capability, Adjustablity at the end of the tool arms. A much better small wheel attatchment, 2 way tracking. But the price is $300- $400 more than the OBM with the same (or near the same) accessories.
Does anyone here use a Reeder? If so, What do you think of the fit and finish? How is customer service? Things you didnt like about the tool?
Same Questions about the OBM grinder. I am sure it is worth the money, but would you in hind sight, upped your budget and bought a different grinder??
 
I met the owner of Reeder grinders the other day and got the chance to check it out. The fit and finish were outstanding. I could tell that a lot of thought went into the design and Mr. Reeder was very knowledgeable and helpful with my questions. You're right about the small wheel being better, he showed how you would have a true 180 degree grinding on the small wheel. They also have a new large tool rest coming out that looked extremely helpful for horizontal grinding. I own a kmg and the Reeder fit and finish outshines it in every way.
 
I wasn't aware they had one in the works. The only machines I've heard of having surface grinders are the TW-90 and the Northridge in the future.
 
Josh Rider said:
I wasn't aware they had one in the works. The only machines I've heard of having surface grinders are the TW-90 and the Northridge in the future.
Click to expand...

Hardcore is or has been working on a surface grinder attachment.
Not sure where they are on it, I've seen a solid model of the design
Also, it won't be a cheap attachment :-)
 
OBM has released a surface grinder attachment. I stumbled across it on instgram, but have yet to hear of anyone around here using it. It's on a 1.5" tooling arm. I wonder if it would work on other grinders?
 
I bought a reeder a few months back. It's an adequate grinder, but as I've mentioned before it seems only half-thought out. Some portions, like the tracking, are excellent and right on par with the Bader. The platen and tool arms are also very well thought out. The packing and shipping was top rate, no arguing that. It was bolted to a big piece of plywood, not as an afterthought but engineered for this. Excellent. However, when you put it in horizontal mode it uses the tracking knob as the support. What were they thinking? According to Reeder, you have to screw it to a 4x4 cut down to 3" and bolt that piece of wood to the bench. Again, what the hell? Also, you have to have a big square cut out of your bench if you want to use it in horizontal mode, or rig up some type of extension to your bench to mount the support to hold it vertical. Mind blown!
 
Thanks for the feed back AKC.
I had seen in a video that when in the horizonal position that is was resting on the release arm.
But with a little planning and some good old american fabrication I am confident I will be able to design and build a work table that will work much better than what I seen in the video.
Have had any major issues? Other than the mounting?
 
Hi Peppie,
I have been using my Reeder for 9 months. It is the only grinder I have every used so I can't offer you a comparison. Don Reeder will give you the plans and material list to make the ideal table for the grinder that will allow you to use the horizontal feature. My impressions so far is that it is solid and smooth. Tracking is perfect. Very little vibration. I actually can detect no vibration other than what a belt spinning at 34 mph will give you. The platen is not hardened so buy a glass one right off and glue it on. The arms move in and out of the frame smoothly. I thought long and hard about the Reeder before I bought. I made the right decision. One day I will try a $3500 grinder and it may be better. But the Reeder let me spend what I had and it is way ahead of me in terms of my skill. Don will tell you that he designed it to allow you to grow with it. I have found that to be true. Lastly, I have spent a lot of time on the phone with Don and Greg. I am a beginner also and I did dumb stuff. As an example, I mounted the top wheel inside out so it was too far from the machine. I then worked very hard to get it to track. Don had me send pictures and worked with me until it worked perfectly. What PIAs we beginners can be. But Don always took my call, Greg is super and Mrs. Reeder can't do enough for you. Your whole world changes with a grinder. Lastly, make certain that you have a 56c frame motor or you won't be able to use the horizontal mount and order the 5" drive wheel. (More of my dumb mistakes)
 
Thanks Howard,
I did get a 56c framed motor. (sitting in the garage still in the box)
I am pretty handy in the work shop and will be able to jig up a workable stand to lay the grinder on its side.
I will be ordering the grinder some time at the end of next week. Need to deliver an acrylic aquarium I have built for a customer. ( acrylic work pays well. ) LOL
I took some time today and ordered up some 01 steel, A2 steel, and some 440c stainless.
I am getting antzy to get to work on some knifes.
Do you have a vacume set up under your grinder to direct the sparks away from the end of the belt?
I have been thinking I should get a dustcollector vacume head and run a 6''-8'' line from the base of the grinder to the outside of the shop (thru the wall)
https://www.harborfreight.com/13-gal-1-hp-industrial-portable-dust-collector-61808.html
Something like this
 
Peppie said:
Thanks Howard,
I did get a 56c framed motor. (sitting in the garage still in the box)
I am pretty handy in the work shop and will be able to jig up a workable stand to lay the grinder on its side.
I will be ordering the grinder some time at the end of next week. Need to deliver an acrylic aquarium I have built for a customer. ( acrylic work pays well. ) LOL
I took some time today and ordered up some 01 steel, A2 steel, and some 440c stainless.
I am getting antzy to get to work on some knifes.
Do you have a vacume set up under your grinder to direct the sparks away from the end of the belt?
I have been thinking I should get a dustcollector vacume head and run a 6''-8'' line from the base of the grinder to the outside of the shop (thru the wall)
https://www.harborfreight.com/13-gal-1-hp-industrial-portable-dust-collector-61808.html
Something like this
Click to expand...
I have been trying to solve the dust crisis in my shop for all 9 months. I currently use a shop vac which works poorly and is a burn hazard. I will follow your lead on the harbor freight blower. I'm certain there are many solutions but I haven't found them yet at the cost I would accept.
 
I have read that some people are useing a cyclone type prefilter on their systems as well. But I am leaning towards just going straight thru the vacume, out the wall, to a 90 deg elbow, into a steel bucket with water in it. ??? Not sure yet. Still in the research mode.
 
Peppie said:
I have read that some people are useing a cyclone type prefilter on their systems as well. But I am leaning towards just going straight thru the vacume, out the wall, to a 90 deg elbow, into a steel bucket with water in it. ??? Not sure yet. Still in the research mode.
Click to expand...
Read the reviews on the harbor freight blower. Too little power for shop purposes. Let me know what you find. When I sand plastic or resin handles my shop is a toxic zone. If the EPA gets wind they will padlock my garage.
 
First time hearing about the Reeder; looks pretty damn nice! As for surface grinding attachments Travis now makes one for not only the TW90 but for the KMG as well! As for dust collection I have a big ol' shopvac with 4" hose. Think around 2hp; looooot of sucking power that I use for synthetics and other dusty materials like carbon fiber. But for throwing sparks with titanium or steel I still use the ol' bucket of water under the platen method. Might not be good for air purity... but it gives the sparks somewhere safe to go.
 
Thank LCKT for the spark catching insight.
The attachement designs for the Reeder is what sold me on getting this unit. Plus the price is very reasonalbe for what you are getting. (compared to other grinders I have researched)
 
Peppie said:
Thank LCKT for the spark catching insight.
The attachement designs for the Reeder is what sold me on getting this unit. Plus the price is very reasonalbe for what you are getting. (compared to other grinders I have researched)
Click to expand...
Most welcome! I know it's not the most extravagant answer, a bucket of water, lol but since my shop is so small and strapped for space it's what has worked for me over the years. Plus it lets you quench easily without turning around or bending down. Good to hear about the reasonable price; when I was first in the market for a 2x72 I wanted to go big or go home and get the TW90 but after noticing the 6-8week lead time and the other cheaper options I smartened up and saved some extra coin for down the road by going with the KMG. I'd be at a toss up if I knew about the Reeder before ordering my KMG lol but either way I am happy and still saved a bit!
 
Yea it can be tough tooling up for a new hobby. I have years of exoeriance in fine wood working. I have a shop full of woodworking tools. But very very few metal working tools. I have set my budget at $2500-$3000 to set up shop for knife making. So far so good. I still need a vacume system, Portaband anda swag stand. Some electrical fixtures. I am still researching what type belts to buy. From my research that will be a chunk of change.
Hey Howard, what diam of bolt is the contact wheel jig? I think I bought the wrong size bearings to go in the contact wheel hub.
 
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