Which 2x72 Grinder

Sgt_Bobbo

Sgt_Bobbo

Joined
May 21, 2012
Messages
344
Hello all,

I am finally going to take the plunge and buy a 2x72 ginder. I have my own motor that I can use so I will only need the grinder and a VFD. I was curious to hear from everyone on what would be the best option for a budget of $1500. Hopefully I can spend less but I suspect not.

I have been looking pretty heavily at the Reeder RPS111 but there isn't a whole lot of information out there about them. The KMG would be awesome but I am afraid it is out of my price range.

Any advice would be appreciated.
 
If I were in the market for a new grinder with that kind of money and already had a motor, North Ridge Tools grinder 100% is the way I would go. Nothing but positive product reviews and great customer service reviews.
 
That North Ridge grinder looks nice, but I think I'd go with the basic $500 Reeder package, then order the drive wheel, platen wheels, and Idler wheel from Oregon Blade Grinder. I'd prefer a 4" OD drive wheel also, but the BIG reason for Reeder is the ability to flip it horizontal. That is one handy feature! Even the $720 Reeder package isn't bad at all. Add $100 (or $300 for NEMA 4) or so for the VFD with your motor, you're in business.
 
it will have a 6" diameter raised ring on the face and 4 evenly spaced bolts outside of that circle to mount it. If it's not, then the KMG might be your huckleberry. It wouldn't be a power loss issue with a belt, but if you mount the motor to the bench on the right side and go with a contact wheel right on the motor shaft, you would not have to do a jack shaft or pulley system. I assume with a 3PH motor you are doing a VFD, so you don't need pulleys for speed control. When I build my grinder, i wanted a direct drive for max power out of a 1hp motor and not having to add points of possible alignment issues. But since the KMG is ground up designed with jack shaft, I would guess that's not an issue.
 
Sgt_Bobbo said:
View attachment 768433
This is the motor. I think I'm SOL.
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yeah, you can't face mount that. It's also an open motor, so metal dust could be a problem. Automation direct has good prices on new motors with free shipping. Here's one: https://www.automationdirect.com/ad...Phase_Motors,_56C_(0.33_-_3HP)/MTRP-002-3BD36

I have 3 motors from them (1/2 HP 3 PH, 1.5HP 1 PH, 1 HP 3 PH), and they have all been great. Granted, I'm not high volume, but they are sealed, and i have nothing bad to say about them.
 
Kevin McGovern said:
yeah, you can't face mount that. It's also an open motor, so metal dust could be a problem. Automation direct has good prices on new motors with free shipping. Here's one: https://www.automationdirect.com/ad...Phase_Motors,_56C_(0.33_-_3HP)/MTRP-002-3BD36

I have 3 motors from them (1/2 HP 3 PH, 1.5HP 1 PH, 1 HP 3 PH), and they have all been great. Granted, I'm not high volume, but they are sealed, and i have nothing bad to say about them.
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Damn. I couldn't get that lucky I guess haha. Thank you for the link.
 
yes. i used to ignore the "cry once buy once" advise. Now that I'm hooked on the craft, I don't worry as much about "what if I decide I don't like this" and just bite the bullet. Variable speed for instance, is just plain awesome, as are multiple tooling arms. I did build my own grinder, but mostly because I had some resources many don't. So I could keep cost down, quality up, and have the satisfaction of building it myself. If I was buying, I'd look seriously at the Reeder. In fact I was probably a week away from pulling the trigger on one, when my buddy mentioned he could water jet anything i needed for free...
 
Kevin McGovern said:
yes. i used to ignore the "cry once buy once" advise. Now that I'm hooked on the craft, I don't worry as much about "what if I decide I don't like this" and just bite the bullet. Variable speed for instance, is just plain awesome, as are multiple tooling arms. I did build my own grinder, but mostly because I had some resources many don't. So I could keep cost down, quality up, and have the satisfaction of building it myself. If I was buying, I'd look seriously at the Reeder. In fact I was probably a week away from pulling the trigger on one, when my buddy mentioned he could water jet anything i needed for free...
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Which reeder would you have opted for?
 
I already had wheels and i had hooked up VFDs at that point, so the basic. I got a great wheel set from a seller on eBay. Great quality. he's located in Poland, but shipping was quick. https://m.ebay.com/itm/Belt-Grinder-wheel-set-for-knife-grinders-4-Drive-5-8-shaft-3-track-2-Idler-/172564218632?hash=item282da10308:g:rr8AAOSwfVpYvVxx&_trkparms=pageci%3A8ed4a624-9e5c-11e7-9aff-74dbd18044b2%7Cparentrq%3Aa1a6963a15e0a990a827fe39ffe4c52e%7Ciid%3A6

I went with a 1 hp motor and kbac 24d drive. Most will tell you that's not enough hp, but it doesn't stall unless I really push hard while flattening stock. And that is really only with an old belt. It may not work for everyone, but I'm happy with it. I would say it's the absolute MINIMUM HP I would go.
 
I have been making knives and other intricate stuff for a very long time.
Not once have I needed to flip my grinder on it's side.
 
Kevin McGovern said:
But since the KMG is ground up designed with jack shaft, I would guess that's not an issue.
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...if only this were true.

My friend Joe has done a rather brisk business selling direct drive conversion kits for KMG grinders, specifically to correct for what's 'not an issue'.

KMG shouldn't even be mentioned in a list of possible suggestions, anymore. Aside from the forum being littered with complaints and issues, and deplorable customer service, there are WAY too many better machines available now.

If you're buying a grinder, don't short-change yourself because you already own a motor. That's like buying a Ford Fiesta because you didn't want to buy new tires... Buy the right machine, or expect to buy another soon after.
 
Ken H> said:
I'd prefer a 4" OD drive wheel also
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Ken, would you mind if I ask why? That seems like a weird preference.


Bill DeShivs said:
I have been making knives and other intricate stuff for a very long time.
Not once have I needed to flip my grinder on it's side.
Click to expand...

Having a machine that offers more flexibility isn't ever a bad thing. Just because you've never used it doesn't mean you couldn't appreciate it if you had it...
 
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