Reeder products Grinder

Kevin McGovern

Kevin McGovern

Joined
Jul 31, 2015
Messages
3,118
Anyone have, or have working knowledge of the Reeder products grinder? It looks like a really good deal for the money. Appears well made (in America) includes work rest, flat platen and tilt.
 
no, but i like how it looks ! what would be the final price with motor and everything you need to get started? the latch feature when changing belts is a good thing.
 
He only provides the unit with the flat platen two tooling arms and work rest, so you would add: VFD and motor (direct drive), and wheels. he even provides the axles for the wheels it appears.
 
That is a nice looking unit that's for sure. Price seems very reasonable too for what he's built.
 
Best I can do without my math hat is it would come in about where a Wilmont little buddy would come in with just a motor and no vfd. Definitely looks like more for your money.
 
Looks like a decent machine for the money, with a couple of nice innovations. I don't much care for the horizontal tilting method, but I like the retaining hook for the spring while loading the belt. The additional tracking plane for the tracking wheel looks interesting as well. I'd like to see that work in a little more detail.
 
For those interested, there was another review posted for this machine a couple days ago on YouTube. It looks like a very nice machine for the money, with excellent fit and finish. As Andrew mentioned I also am not fond of the horizontal mechanism. While useful, the design makes this function appear a bit awkward in use. However, to offer features like this at a sub $500 level is quite impressive. My main concern, and in all honesty likely the reason for not having purchased this product is the aluminum construction. Not to deter the focus of this thread but does anyone have an opinion on whether the aluminum would constitute any significant worry for the longevity of the machine?

Blessings,
Joshua
 
JoshRG said:
For those interested, there was another review posted for this machine a couple days ago on YouTube. It looks like a very nice machine for the money, with excellent fit and finish. As Andrew mentioned I also am not fond of the horizontal mechanism. While useful, the design makes this function appear a bit awkward in use. However, to offer features like this at a sub $500 level is quite impressive. My main concern, and in all honesty likely the reason for not having purchased this product is the aluminum construction. Not to deter the focus of this thread but does anyone have an opinion on whether the aluminum would constitute any significant worry for the longevity of the machine?

Blessings,
Joshua
Click to expand...

I can't see where being made of aluminum would be a problem. It's appears to be all 1/2" construction, I would think it would be very durable. I don't care for how the horizontal works on this one either. I do like mine that goes horizontal but when I rotate mine over my work height is almost the same as vertical. I have mine set up so it is very comfortable to work on, I can keep my arms close to my body. It's easier on the muscle memory not having much difference in either position. I have a 2" drop when rotated in the tooling arm and my tool rest arm stays at the same height rotated the way I designed it.
 
JoshRG said:
For those interested, there was another review posted for this machine a couple days ago on YouTube. It looks like a very nice machine for the money, with excellent fit and finish. As Andrew mentioned I also am not fond of the horizontal mechanism. While useful, the design makes this function appear a bit awkward in use. However, to offer features like this at a sub $500 level is quite impressive. My main concern, and in all honesty likely the reason for not having purchased this product is the aluminum construction. Not to deter the focus of this thread but does anyone have an opinion on whether the aluminum would constitute any significant worry for the longevity of the machine?

Blessings,
Joshua
Click to expand...

Personally I think the aluminum construction is an asset. For one, you don't have to worry about rust, and that's particularly nice if you want to run your machine with a misting/coolant setup. It looks like he uses replaceable steel inserts for things like the adjustable handles, so wear shouldn't be a problem there. I built a 2x72 almost entirely out of 1/2" 6061 aluminum plate a while back, and it's been holding up fine. The lighter tools arms are really nice, and I don't see any significant wear from cranking down the adjustable handles or anything like that. Granted, I also used steel inserts and bushings for any part that might be a potential wear point.

Aluminum is also cheaper to replace if ever necessary, and relatively easy to machine. All of these were factors when I built my machine.
 
Hi first time poster, I think. Anyway I just purchased this grinder there was a 2 week wait cause there built to order. I was gonna buy the "ebay" grinder and was 2 minutes from from the purchase and went to look at it 1 more time on YouTube and that sweet grinder popped up, needless to say I couldn't resist. I don't have the grinder yet so can't say much about that . What I can say is don and his son greg are super nice and had no problem answering some of my noobish questions. I can post more on it and pics when I get it....side topic can someone tell me the correct vfd I need I just bought a baldor vm3558 . 3phase 208,23,460v 1735rpm 56c.
 
vask79 said:
Hi first time poster, I think. Anyway I just purchased this grinder there was a 2 week wait cause there built to order. I was gonna buy the "ebay" grinder and was 2 minutes from from the purchase and went to look at it 1 more time on YouTube and that sweet grinder popped up, needless to say I couldn't resist. I don't have the grinder yet so can't say much about that . What I can say is don and his son greg are super nice and had no problem answering some of my noobish questions. I can post more on it and pics when I get it....side topic can someone tell me the correct vfd I need I just bought a baldor vm3558 . 3phase 208,23,460v 1735rpm 56c.
Click to expand...

Your best bet for a 2HP vfd would be the KBAC-27d in my opinion. Electric Motor Wholesale has some of the best prices I've seen, although you MIGHT save a couple bucks on eBay. There's one or two sellers on there who sell them new for about as cheap as you'll find them. Might even be EMW. Just make sure to add a power switch and a forward/stop/reverse switch IF you require them. Stock, they only come with a stop/run switch. If you source the switches and dust/water proof boots separately, you can save a couple of dollars off of what they charge from the distributor; you just have to make your own jumpers. OR you can just pay the few dollars extra and have it delivered with the switches installed. You'll also need a wiring kit: something like 12-3 SO (flexible) cable for the power cord, and 12/4 for the motor to VFD connection. I'd grab a quality plug end, and some water tight fittings too. I THINK it's 3/4EMT for the knockouts.

I think that covers just about all of it...
 
Vask79,

Have you received the Reeder yet? Any opinions? Where did you pick up the motor and VFD? Mind sharing what you paid?
 
I bought this grinder and recently set it up. One thing to note is the flip function causes it to need to be mounted on a riser, so it was a different height than my other grinders on the same bench. I remounted it at the same height, and will not be able to flip it, until I get around to building a dedicated stand (the owner sent me plans at no additional cost), not a big deal. The two tracking adjustments is fantastic. As it came the belt was tracking half way off the wheel or platen and adjusting it caused the tracking wheel to be canted significantly and there was still belt wobble. While running slowly I loosened the second tracking adjustment and it just kind of fell into place. It now tracks as true as any grinder I have ever used. I am running it on a 3hp motor with vfd and a six inch drive wheel with a 3600rpm motor. It is quiet and smooth even at full speed.
 
Those of yall that have been using it, what do you think? Going to go look at one at their shop this week
 
Work rest is thick and need to be angle grind from belt side , gap is too wide when you set work rest at slightly larger angle . For minor changes in gap it s good to make work rest with radius of turning as close as possible to belt ..........
 
Hi All,
I bought the Reeder grinder in January 2017 (delivered in February). I am a long time collector but a new maker. I love the thing and the Reeders are great to work with. I have it all set up at about $1300. As you will note, the cost difference is largely for the 3 phase motor and VFD. I like the adjustability of the VFD so I think that may have been a good idea. I have attached my worksheet with my costs and comparing it to the Coote.
Reeder Coote
Grinder $495.00 $530.00
wheels $125.00 Inc.
tool rest Inc. $45.00
10" grinding wheel $149.00 Inc.
small wheel setup $80.00 $145.00
small rollers $92.00 $45.00
motor and VSP $300.00 $115.00
platen inc $28.00

Added Features horizontal disk sander
Freight $70.00 $30.00
Total $1,311.00 $938.00
I like the Reeder but the Coote would have been easier to get going with. I made so many mistakes that I probably should have started slower. First, I bought a 56 motor. I had no idea the the "c" was important. I can't use the horizontal feature because of how I had to mount the motor (two weeks). 2nd I bought a VFD without knowing that they needed to be shielded. I had to build a housing and that took another 2 weeks. am using a 1hp motor at 1750 rpm with VFD. I wanted to be able to use 115 current. I did not want to pay for a 220 line. I wonder if it is under-powered. I know this- it doesn't spark when i am grinding no matter how hard i am pushing. Anyone know why? It does seem to grind well. It is very smooth and tracks perfectly. I like that it is aluminum. I have a hard enough time keeping the rest from rusting. Two last things, Coote is also a great guy. He answers the phone himself and will talk at length about your needs. On the other hand, Don Reeder will tell you that his grinder is designed to still fit your needs as you grow in skill. I think that he is right.
 
The spreadsheet did not transfer well so I am trying again.
Reeder Coote
Grinder $495.00 $530.00
wheels $125.00 Inc.
toolrest Inc. $45.00
10" grinding wheel $149.00 Inc.
small wheel setup $80.00 $145.00
small rollers $92.00 $45.00
motor and VSP $300.00 $115.00
platen inc $28.00
Added Features horizontal disk sander
Freight $70.00 $30.00
$1,311.00 $938.00
 
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