Which 2x72 Grinder

Matthew Gregory said:
Ken, would you mind if I ask why? That seems like a weird preference.
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Matthew, my choice of 4" drive wheel is solely on the SFPM is just about the same as the RPM - I think I remember 3.85" diameter wheel gives exact same speed. Also, with a 3600 rpm motor (or 1800 running double speed) the belt will be running around 4,000 SFPM, and that's spinning and plenty fast enough for me. I know some folks talk about grinding at 6,000 SFPM (and more), but not for me.
 
Matthew Gregory said:
Ken, would you mind if I ask why? That seems like a weird preference.




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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That is why I was thinking. They have a get it all model and I assume that means you get all the attachments with it. Not sure about the price though. It's $2200.
 
Matthew Gregory said:
Ken, would you mind if I ask why? That seems like a weird preference.




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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Maybe one that hangs upside down, too?
Seriously, I could see some small usage for a horizontal grinder-but they are so few it seems like folly to have one.
 
Matthew Gregory said:
...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.
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That's a shame. They have been making the same machine for a while. No excuse for them not to be perfect out of the box.
 
Kevin McGovern said:
That's a shame. They have been making the same machine for a while. No excuse for them not to be perfect out of the box.
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It is a shame since they had a good reputation once upon a time. It is a good machine with a few issues, and a manufacturer that has not made significant improvements to address the issues. I have a KMG that I spent hours sorting out issues that should not be on a machine of that price. I have the resources so I built one without any of the issues if I can do it the factory certainly can.
I'm not here to bash KMG, but for the price the Northridge would have been my choice. I think the Reeder is a good value, but I have not used one or seen any long term use evaluations as a daily user.
 
So I have increased my budget a bit and it has more than likely come down to these 3 options.

Pheer PH-454 x 10" & flat platen with 2hp VFD
Northridge Standard Package
Reeder RPS325 Belt Sander with 2hp and VFD

So these are the choices. One last question. I have read that a VFD is an awesome feature but why would one want to slow the belt down? What benefit does it add? Is it just to prevent overheating?
 
I also saw this one that looks interesting:
AMK-77 2X72 Belt Grinder, 1.5hp motor, 12" serrated wheel
 
Bill DeShivs said:
Maybe one that hangs upside down, too?
Seriously, I could see some small usage for a horizontal grinder-but they are so few it seems like folly to have one.
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I love using mine horizontal when I'm using my small wheel attachment for profiling finger choils and such. I have a tool rest set up just for it so when I pop them on the grinder they are ready to go. Makes seeing what you're doing a breeze. I did build both of my grinders so this option was part of my design.
 
When you're building a knife there are many different steps involved and grits of belt to use. You coarse grit belts you'll spin really fast (3,000 to 4,000 SFPM - or faster) to get fast cutting. The finer grit belts don't work so well at high speed. For 400 grit you might wish to slow down to 1,000 SFPM (or even less) because the belts will just work so well at high speed. Also, for final bevel grinding you'll want slower speeds for better control. At 4,000 SFPM speeds, any little thing that "off" will make a big huh-oh in the blade, while grinding at slow speeds you might catch it before the huh-oh.

Also, when working wood handles slower speeds are needed - and if you decide to work any mammoth ivory or mother of pearl, you'll want slow speeds.

I spent a yr or so thinking my 3-speed pulley arrangement was just fine, then build a VFD direct drive grinder...... no way I'm going back to a pulley arrangement, not only is it MUCH more useful, it's also much smoother.

Later
 
KnuckleDownKnives said:
I love using mine horizontal when I'm using my small wheel attachment for profiling finger choils and such. I have a tool rest set up just for it so when I pop them on the grinder they are ready to go. Makes seeing what you're doing a breeze. I did build both of my grinders so this option was part of my design.
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What Marc says - I didn't think I'd use the horizontal position much either, until I added that function to my grinder. For folders I REALLY like it.
 
Ken H> said:
When you're building a knife there are many different steps involved and grits of belt to use. You coarse grit belts you'll spin really fast (3,000 to 4,000 SFPM - or faster) to get fast cutting. The finer grit belts don't work so well at high speed. For 400 grit you might wish to slow down to 1,000 SFPM (or even less) because the belts will just work so well at high speed. Also, for final bevel grinding you'll want slower speeds for better control. At 4,000 SFPM speeds, any little thing that "off" will make a big huh-oh in the blade, while grinding at slow speeds you might catch it before the huh-oh.

Also, when working wood handles slower speeds are needed - and if you decide to work any mammoth ivory or mother of pearl, you'll want slow speeds.

I spent a yr or so thinking my 3-speed pulley arrangement was just fine, then build a VFD direct drive grinder...... no way I'm going back to a pulley arrangement, not only is it MUCH more useful, it's also much smoother.

Later
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Is that what you call it? For me its more like F#$^@!!! @#^$@%$^@$^~!!!! #$^&#$%^%$^!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Sgt_Bobbo said:
So I have increased my budget a bit and it has more than likely come down to these 3 options.

Pheer PH-454 x 10" & flat platen with 2hp VFD
Northridge Standard Package
Reeder RPS325 Belt Sander with 2hp and VFD

So these are the choices. One last question. I have read that a VFD is an awesome feature but why would one want to slow the belt down? What benefit does it add? Is it just to prevent overheating?
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All great machines. I agree with the Count and would steer clear from the AMK. There is no substitute for interchangeable tooling arms.
 
Northridge.

The difference among all of these machines is that many of them are built well. The Northridge machine is built to aerospace tolerances. This stuff seems like trivialities, until you experience the threshold of the build quality of the machine you're using. Then it becomes a mountain YOU need to overcome. I know far more about grinder design than I ever wanted to, because I have a piece of shit that I needed to 'correct' because I didn't know any better. I know better now. My next machine will be a Northridge. I own an adjustable work rest from them, and the fit and finish, attention to detail, and flexibility of this one accessory utterly shames every part of my KMG.

I'm not saying you can't do good work on other machines. What I am saying, though, is why would you buy a machine that simply wasn't built as well, if it was even close to the same amount of money?
 
Busto said:
I have a KMG that I spent hours sorting out issues that should not be on a machine of that price. I have the resources so I built one without any of the issues if I can do it the factory certainly can.
I'm not here to bash KMG, but for the price the Northridge would have been my choice.
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If more people expressed their experiences and concerns with bad machines, fewer of us would make the mistake of rewarding a company for doing bad work, with even worse customer service. It's not 'bashing' if you explain the situation. There's too many better options now, and too many folks (the original poster, for example!) that have no idea that one machine may not be what they perceive it to be, because too many kept quiet.
 
120 Acres said:
Very pleased with mine. I got a free upgrade to a 2hp too.
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Does that grinder really not able to swap out tool arms? How do you change from 10" contact wheel to platen to small wheel? That would be a deal breaker for sure if I couldn't do that.
 
Matthew Gregory said:
If more people expressed their experiences and concerns with bad machines, fewer of us would make the mistake of rewarding a company for doing bad work, with even worse customer service. It's not 'bashing' if you explain the situation. There's too many better options now, and too many folks (the original poster, for example!) that have no idea that one machine may not be what they perceive it to be, because too many kept quiet.
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Due Diligence in researching a product that you have no actual experience with can be Sketchy for some people. They come to a Forum and ask questions and a "Fan Boy" of a particular model (the best one to ever come out of the factory) glorifies all its amazing attributes because it was a GREAT model in it's day 20yrs ago. Now the calendar moves forward and the quality is not what it was but the Previous accolades seem to remain behind in the "Search" area. The new forum member looks up the product and sees some video checks the price orders and is stuck with a lesser quality than expected. If you ask someone about the quality are they ashamed to admit the shortcomings more than likely....like asking someone about the new car they just purchased nobody will admit they got hosed on the deal...we all know we have at some point in our life been hosed on a deal....But we are to proud to admit it...GUILTY your Honor.

There are a lot of bad machines out there I can promise you that...I'd like to know about them(even the good ones)
 
Matthew Gregory said:
Northridge.

The difference among all of these machines is that many of them are built well. The Northridge machine is built to aerospace tolerances. This stuff seems like trivialities, until you experience the threshold of the build quality of the machine you're using. Then it becomes a mountain YOU need to overcome. I know far more about grinder design than I ever wanted to, because I have a piece of shit that I needed to 'correct' because I didn't know any better. I know better now. My next machine will be a Northridge. I own an adjustable work rest from them, and the fit and finish, attention to detail, and flexibility of this one accessory utterly shames every part of my KMG.

I'm not saying you can't do good work on other machines. What I am saying, though, is why would you buy a machine that simply wasn't built as well, if it was even close to the same amount of money?
Click to expand...
Does the north ridge come with a contact wheel? All I am seeing is a flat platen and a small contact wheel. Maybe I could get one from another company.
 
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