Which 2x72 Grinder

Jonathans said:
For the money, Inthink the Esteem package is the way to go. Precision and built like a tank, excellent tracking with no vibration.
I added a second tool arm reciever to mine easily.
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I'd love to see some pictures of that. I'd be interested in adding one to mine.
 
The Northridge is probably the best deal in your price range.

I wouldn't even consider a KMG. It was OK 10 years ago, but there are far better choices that are less expensive now.

Or, save up for a while and get a TW90.
 
IMG_0765.JPG IMG_0739.JPG IMG_0741.JPG Heres a picture of the tooling arm reciever I mounted on my Esteem grinder. Its a section of a 1.25" hitch reciever. I mounted it with counter sunk flat head bolts to provide clearance for the tool arm. Tooling arms require the corners to be knocked down to use it. Not shown in detail is the drilled hole and welded nut for the 5/16 clamping bolt. These are pics from quite a while ago so the grinder still looks pretty!
 

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What Matt Said^^^^+1 or is it a Barber Chair??
 
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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Do you have contact information for direct drive conversions? A friend is interested.
 
You are going to be using this grinder for a long time so do your self a favor and buy the Northridge grinder. It is super high quality and will produce professional level knives if you give it your best. Don't get cheap on something so important. Just my opinion. Larry
 
Is that grinder on the barber chair the northridge grinder? If it is I am going to start saving!

edit: I see above that it is an Esteem
 
I’ve got the KMG and the Northridge. There is no comparison. I have had to square up the KMG all over the place..... Northridge, it’s just so much more grinder!
 
I haven't seen this one come up in discussion:
https://www.thebeltgrinder.com/

CNC machined, with an interesting bell/whistle sealed bearing on the tracking arm. The price for basic chassis and D plate, 1 tool arm, drive wheel and tracking wheel, small wheels on D plate is $589 which seems like a comparable package to Orgeonblademaker and much less than Northridge which is CNCd

$499 with no wheels $84 shipping at ebay listing.

One knock is the tooling arms are custom 1.6" vs 1.5" which seems to be standard.
GRINDER_1200x1200.jpg
 
E.Carlson said:
I'd love to see some pictures of that. I'd be interested in adding one to mine.
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I had Brett sell me extra tool arm slot parts and added a second tool arm to my Esteem. The
E.Carlson said:
I'd love to see some pictures of that. I'd be interested in adding one to mine.
Click to expand...
I have a second tool arm slot on my Esteem too. I bought extra parts from Brett at Esteem. The side plates and two of the top plates, one to go on bottom. One of the top/bottom plates needs .090” milled/ground off of it and then it all bolts right to the frame just as of it was designed that way.
 
Brian Ayres said:
I had Brett sell me extra tool arm slot parts and added a second tool arm to my Esteem. The

I have a second tool arm slot on my Esteem too. I bought extra parts from Brett at Esteem. The side plates and two of the top plates, one to go on bottom. One of the top/bottom plates needs .090” milled/ground off of it and then it all bolts right to the frame just as of it was designed that way.
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I'm going to need to have a look at that. Does it go above or below the original? Do you have a photo? @Brock Cutlery may also be interested in this.
 
NorthRidge is the shiznit. The principal is a guy who won't make something unless he can do it right. They are simply the best--and I chose one OVER the TW-90, Travis's grinder is nice for sure, but I like the NorthRidge better--and Travis doesn't make any of the pieces for his own grinder, he has other folks laser cut them and such, NorthRidge is all made in house-completely, including the wheels!
 
sorry if i missed this but a questions for those with the northridge grinder. Whats the max spfm you can achieve with that motor and vfd in the standard package? can you run the expensive ceramic belts at optimal conditions without bogging down?
 
Has anyone that has ordered a Northridge actually gotten one recently? If so how long was the wait?
I ordered one back in September and haven't received one yet. I followed up a couple months after my order and was told another 4-6 weeks. That was 3 months ago. Not so smooth on the customer service in my book.
 
Damn. That's a long time to wait. Did you have it customized in some way? I hate to hear this because their grinders are top notch quality. If I had to guess I would say they must be putting grinders in line behind the other machining contracts they have. I know their facebook page has drastically slowed down when it comes to fresh pics. I hope you get some answers soon.
 
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