Yet another grinder thread...

willythekid

willythekid

Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Messages
1,287
I know there are tons of threads about the different types of grinders out there but it seems every time I search through them, I just get more confused. I want to get a 2"x72" grinder that doesn't cost a fortune... I don't have $4000 to spend. I would love some feedback on the type of grinder you use and why you picked it. I have a welding background so I thought about making one myself but I really don't have the proper equipment to make one with tight tolerances. Is it better to buy a grinder without the motor and vfd and source those separately? What are the best (in your opinion) brands out there now in 2018? Best customer service? Best bang for the buck? It seems every time I try to research grinders I just end up more confused than when I began! Thanks to anyone who can give me some advice and to those that are sick of seeing another grinder thread, I'm sorry!
 
To research grinders you have to decide the price range you will be in. BEST grinder isn't the right term. It should be best grinder for $700 or less, etc.
As far as the best bang for the buck, building your own grinder with good quality wheels and bearings is going to win that category. Either use the available free plans and CAD files to get the parts cut for you by a waterjet company, or buy a pre-cut kit and go from there. Scrimping by using lesser parts will not improve the quality, so get good wheels and moving parts.

One thing that moves a grinder into the BEST category is variable speed. You really need that if you want to make better knives and have less failures.
 
willythekid said:
It seems every time I try to research grinders I just end up more confused than when I began!
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Hi, I understand the paralysis by analysis of grinders. One good and bad thing is that the sheer number of quality machines that are available is daunting. This is a good problem to have compared to 10 years ago where there was the old guard Square wheels, Bader, etc. and the up and coming KMG. Now KMG is old hat.

We are so lucky to have choices now.

Here is what I am doing to filter through the choices and identify my own Bang for the buck list which I'll then refine

Start with a list of contenders. Here is my current list:
Vashti Tactical Design (Canadian, good exchange rate, maybe higher shipping)
Reeder
Northridge Tools
Pheer
Oregon Blademaker
Esteem
Ameribrade
Thebeltgrinder (ebay and web page)
AMK Tactical
Wilmont Little buddy (in redesign for next year, may have some current ones left)
Polar Bear Forge -Kit
No weld grinder

There are certainly more, if I see on come up in a post, I'll just add it to the list.

Make a spread sheet with the following columns:
-Name
-model
-base cost
-what is included in base
-shipping
-what's missing from base model and is needed to get running
-type of motor mount
-Wait time
-notes: tool arm size, tracking mechanism, reputation, CNC vs weld...1.6" tool arm vs 1.5", horizontal capability, no 2n'd tool arm slot...,

I wouldn't consider motors/vfd yet, though I would factor in going with a VFD up front.

With regards to a kit like GIB or plans, no-weld-grinder. Personally, I think it depends if you care more about making a grinder vs making knives and how good a precision fabricator you are. Tracking capability is an ultimate goal and my current experience with my GIB is informing my thoughts to go production. Also sourcing every little part (spacers for wheels etc.) can be a chore or that maybe part of your fun.

Now you need your own overall metric that is a combination of price and the other columns to rank them.

I wouldn't look at motors yet as grinder choice will impact this, such as face mount and desired shaft length.
 
The best grinder I have is a Hardcore billet 2x72, there's a reason this thing costs $3000 +
The worst grinder (for tracking) I have a is the KMG horizontal 2"x48" the tracking is sh*t.
 
I use two Bader BIIIs', a KMG & a Burr King. Next one will be a TW-90. The Baders have been in full time use for 20 years, very easy to use and are bullet prof. I just want one more, a Cadillac that goes horizontal. :)
 
I had a polar bear forge SLING- It's a kit you put together. Probably the cheapest route in a ready to build type deal. I really liked it but it is no frills and is not modular in any way. My current grinder is one I built based on the EERF grinder plans. I love it. If you have access to a water jet, or can get it done reasonably, you can build a top quality grinder for a steel (see what I did there?).
 
Having built a few and used a few that are purchased including a tw90 I really am of the belief that knowing what features you need, which are nice to have, and which you'll never utilize is the most important part. We all have different methodology in order of operations and how we grind, it's hard to know those things for yourself before making some knives on one.

For me, tool arms, good wheels, good bearings, 2hp min and a good vfd are my "needs." Horizontal flip, ratchet tensioning, are my "wants" and everything else is fluff.

It's not hard for someone with a welding background to put together a competent grinder. That would be my suggestion in your case. Build one cheap, make the biggest investment in your motor and vfd and make some knives. When you know what you don't know now, buy or build exactly what you want and use the original motor and vfd.
 
I bought a Pheer. I just bought the chassis and drive wheel from him though, and bought a KBAC 27D and a 2HP TEFC 1725RPM motor from eBay (new). It was less than buying a full setup.
 
*First off, thanks so much for the replies guys! In a previous post kuraki mentioned making a list of "needs" which I really didn't talk about much in my original post... I'll name my "wants" below...
1) Strong, durable motor 2-3hp
2) good vfd
3) ability to have or make several different tool arms
4) good tracking
5) durable
6) quality wheels/bearings
7) possibly the ability to horizontal flip... I think I would use this feature a lot
*This might be asking too much for a sub $1500-$1800 grinder I realize... I feel my fabrication skills, albeit a bit rusty, are certainly up to the task if I had the right equipment. I still have my little Lincoln welder but my main concern is not have a proper, flat work area to set up for tight tolerances. The last thing I want to to spend a grand making a grinder that tracks crappy.
*Seriously guys, I really do appreciate the time you've taken given me advice. I think my next step is to familiarize myself more with the grinders available and to see what kind of access I have here in Fargo ND as far as water-jetting up some steel up for me. I would love to hear of some good places to source wheels, bearings, motors, VFDs and belt tension parts.
 
kuraki said:
Having built a few and used a few that are purchased including a tw90 I really am of the belief that knowing what features you need, which are nice to have, and which you'll never utilize is the most important part. We all have different methodology in order of operations and how we grind, it's hard to know those things for yourself before making some knives on one.

For me, tool arms, good wheels, good bearings, 2hp min and a good vfd are my "needs." Horizontal flip, ratchet tensioning, are my "wants" and everything else is fluff.

It's not hard for someone with a welding background to put together a competent grinder. That would be my suggestion in your case. Build one cheap, make the biggest investment in your motor and vfd and make some knives. When you know what you don't know now, buy or build exactly what you want and use the original motor and vfd.
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I 2nd this. I dont think the frame is as important as the bearings and wheels and motor used. You can put together a good 2x72 with 2in square tubing. Bit spend the money on good motor and VFD. Oregan blade maker has great plastic wheels that i have yet to have an issue with. As with all things with knives is we have a tendency to over analyze EVERYTHING.
 
valknut said:
I 2nd this. I dont think the frame is as important as the bearings and wheels and motor used. You can put together a good 2x72 with 2in square tubing. Bit spend the money on good motor and VFD. Oregan blade maker has great plastic wheels that i have yet to have an issue with. As with all things with knives is we have a tendency to over analyze EVERYTHING.
Click to expand...

I certainly agree with the over analyzing part lol... I just want to have my ducks in a row so to say before I start spending big money (for me) on a grinder project.
 
I bought the frame of a grinder off a maker on here. It is VERY close to the same design as the wilmont TAG 101 i would look into building something like this. 2 strips of 1.5wide 3/8thick 12 in long pieces of steel separated 1.5in apart sandwiched between 2 3/8 thick 9x12 pieces of steel with an 18x18in plate base and your in business as the basic idea of the build
 
I built my first grinder, and in my experience the most important thing is to make it square and parallel where it should be. Spend enough time on the fundamental tolerances and experience less fiddling and calibrating when you just want to make knives.
 
willythekid said:
*First off, thanks so much for the replies guys! In a previous post kuraki mentioned making a list of "needs" which I really didn't talk about much in my original post... I'll name my "wants" below...
1) Strong, durable motor 2-3hp
2) good vfd
3) ability to have or make several different tool arms
4) good tracking
5) durable
6) quality wheels/bearings
7) possibly the ability to horizontal flip... I think I would use this feature a lot
*This might be asking too much for a sub $1500-$1800 grinder I realize... I feel my fabrication skills, albeit a bit rusty, are certainly up to the task if I had the right equipment. I still have my little Lincoln welder but my main concern is not have a proper, flat work area to set up for tight tolerances. The last thing I want to to spend a grand making a grinder that tracks crappy.
*Seriously guys, I really do appreciate the time you've taken given me advice. I think my next step is to familiarize myself more with the grinders available and to see what kind of access I have here in Fargo ND as far as water-jetting up some steel up for me. I would love to hear of some good places to source wheels, bearings, motors, VFDs and belt tension parts.
Click to expand...


https://reederproducts.com/shop?ols...ucts/rps325-with-2-hp-motor-and-kbac-27-drive
 
I am a newbie just started this hobby a few months ago but if it helps here is what I did. Also I am just a tinkerer no engineering or craft skills so this isn’t hard by any means.

I built mine for under $200. That’s with scrap plate metal i had lying around for platen, skate board wheels and bearings ($30) and a good store bought crowned drive wheel($60). I only have a 1.5 hp ($35 on Craigslist) motor but i am watching ads for a free treadmill (see them pop up just not fast enough to get em) and whalla I will have my variable 2-3hp motor.

I basically just researched plans and looked at models that were popular to get ideas. Then drew out plans/dimensions of my own, bought square tube for mailboxes at my local big box store and welded it up($20 each tube I got 2). Sure the tube is thin and the machine doesn’t track perfectly (heavier belts or grits it’s fine) but it works for now. With heavier tube i can make the removable arms stronger and fix a few of the issues. I’m positive I can build a revised version now with thicker tube and my soon to be free Vfd and motor to have a top notch machine.

It’s not optimal but it works and cheap! I would be happy to try and dig up my plans or answer any questions if you wanted.
 
Last edited:
Kustom Kutz said:
I am a newbie just started this hobby a few months ago but if it helps here is what I did. Also I am just a tinkerer no engineering or craft skills so this isn’t hard by any means.

I built mine for under $200. That’s with scrap plate metal i had lying around for platen, skate board wheels and bearings ($30) and a good store bought crowned drive wheel($60). I only have a 1.5 hp ($35 on Craigslist) motor but i am watching ads for a free treadmill (see them pop up just not fast enough to get em) and whalla I will have my variable 2-3hp motor.

I basically just researched plans and looked at models that were popular to get ideas. Then drew out plans/dimensions of my own, bought square tube for mailboxes at my local big box store and welded it up($20 each tube I got 2). Sure the tube is thin and the machine doesn’t track perfectly (heavier belts or grits it’s fine) but it works for now. With heavier tube i can make the removable arms stronger and fix a few of the issues. I’m positive I can build a revised version now with thicker tube and my soon to be free Vfd and motor to have a top notch machine.

It’s not optimal but it works and cheap! I would be happy to try and dig up my plans or answer any questions if you wanted.
Click to expand...

I would love to see your plans! This might very well be the route I go at first. I was thinking I might eventually like to have a nice quality vertical grinder and then a separate horizontal grinder so I don't have to fab up a base that rotates 90 degrees.
 
Ok I’ll see what I can dig up. I don’t know what I can post as a non paying member but I think I can put links to photobucket so I’ll try that.
 
willythekid said:
I know there are tons of threads about the different types of grinders out there but it seems every time I search through them, I just get more confused. I want to get a 2"x72" grinder that doesn't cost a fortune... I don't have $4000 to spend. I would love some feedback on the type of grinder you use and why you picked it. I have a welding background so I thought about making one myself but I really don't have the proper equipment to make one with tight tolerances. Is it better to buy a grinder without the motor and vfd and source those separately? What are the best (in your opinion) brands out there now in 2018? Best customer service? Best bang for the buck? It seems every time I try to research grinders I just end up more confused than when I began! Thanks to anyone who can give me some advice and to those that are sick of seeing another grinder thread, I'm sorry!
Click to expand...


Just received my first 2X72 yesterday. I bought my own 1hp 3ph motor and VFD for $226 shipped, Grinder is from Ameribrade and I purchased it with the work rest, flat platen, and a 7" drive wheel for $796 shipped with a handful of belts also. I bought a grinder stand from harbor freight for $26 and everything is completed ready to run. So I was $1048 for a fully set up grinder ready to go. I debated doing the scrap metal grinder but knew it would not be of the same quality and a pain in the neck to make plans and build for. After seeing this grinder I'm happy I spend the extra money and got this grinder. The folks at Ameribrade have been wonderful to work with and respond eagerly with care for the costumer. I figured if I built the grinder id have about $450-500 into it for a VFD capability and a decent motor so selling 4 more knives and buying a finished grinder was worth the month wait!
 
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