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Components

My 2hp 3 phase motor worked very well for a while, with my home built 2x72 belt grinder after I installed a VFD to give me control over the speed and direction of the belt. The only thing now is after I installed a 10" rubber contact wheel and re aligned the wheels I have had trouble keeping the belt perfectly straight.

By how much time and money I put into blade smithing now, I have thought about purchasing a professional 2x72 belt grinder. Does anybody know of a very reliable model within Canada that is within my budget of $2000? I have seen several grinders online that are affordable and also have VFD, however, by the reviews I have read and the fact that they are Chinese makes me doubt that they would be reliable.
Almost every commercial grinder from the US is above $3000, and I definitely am not at that point yet. I am only looking for a grinder that would last and will be a big improvement from my home built grinder which has worked pretty well.

By how well it worked before my electronic upgrade of the VFD, and additional contact wheel I have also thought about redesigning the chasis with the contact wheel to help realign the wheels.
 
@Crosche recommended these guys to me. I haven't checked them out yet so I don't have any feedback, but maybe he can weigh in.

nexusgrinders.ca

NG-3 Belt Grinder

NG-3 Belt Grinder. Our 2 x 72 belt grinder that is one of the most affordable 3 arm machines on the Canadian market. The NG-3 chassis is our direct motor mount setup.
nexusgrinders.ca nexusgrinders.ca
 
Have you tried a different belt? I watched a video the other day with this same problem I‘m thinking one of Clough’s maybe that was fine after a belt change. At work if we had a belt that wasn’t tracking right we would wind some Tape around the center to correct the tracking.
 
I have lost many belts, trying to straighten the drive train, ceramic belts do work a bit better than flex belts because they are more stiff, but they still continue to run almost half way off the edge of the contact wheel. The tensioner is what is most crooked.
 
There must be a twist or misalignment in your sander, how is it built ? One plate or hss/motor mount
 
That is what I feel I should redesign it. Currently the chasis is built with large steel square tube here is a photo of my design on fusion.
 

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Xyphota said:
@Crosche recommended these guys to me. I haven't checked them out yet so I don't have any feedback, but maybe he can weigh in.

nexusgrinders.ca

NG-3 Belt Grinder

NG-3 Belt Grinder. Our 2 x 72 belt grinder that is one of the most affordable 3 arm machines on the Canadian market. The NG-3 chassis is our direct motor mount setup.
nexusgrinders.ca nexusgrinders.ca
Click to expand...
I have thought about that model, only it doesn't come with a motor. The motor I have would not work with it; but I suppose the total cost if I also purchased a 3 phase motor from them and used my own VFD would still be pretty affordable.
 
Here are some photos of the grinder while it is running.
 

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I built one with tubing kinda similar to what you have, there were many alignment issues

The one I currently have (and built) is built off one plate, then all of the sliding arms just clamp tight to the plate, seems to be the more popular way of doing it now, less alingment issues

You already have the parts, you just may want to tweak or build a new frame, save your bucks for more supplies
 
Chris Cramer said:
Here are some photos of the grinder while it is running.
Click to expand...


From what I can see in the pictures, your drive & tracking wheels do not have enough crown to them. Also, it would appear that there isn't a lot of belt contact with your drive wheel. You should come have a look at my belt grinder set-up.
 
This guy sells a complete kit. Might be worth a look. He also sells complete plans.
housemade.us

2x72 Belt Grinders, Forges & Build Plans - HouseMade Industrial

HouseMade specializes in 2x72 grinders & ribbon burner forges, offering plans & parts to build your own industrial tooling for knifemaking/bladesmithing, metal fabrication, woodwork, & general workshop tasks. We have parts & DIY kits available and ready to ship. Made in the USA, backed by Brian...
housemade.us housemade.us
 
Aliva said:
This guy sells a complete kit. Might be worth a look. He also sells complete plans.
housemade.us

2x72 Belt Grinders, Forges & Build Plans - HouseMade Industrial

HouseMade specializes in 2x72 grinders & ribbon burner forges, offering plans & parts to build your own industrial tooling for knifemaking/bladesmithing, metal fabrication, woodwork, & general workshop tasks. We have parts & DIY kits available and ready to ship. Made in the USA, backed by Brian...
housemade.us housemade.us
Click to expand...
I used his plans to build mine but used a wheel set from Nexus.
Pretty easy build and good plans. The only issue I have, kinda, is that I used a 1725 rpm 3 phase motor instead of a 3450 rpm.
Still works really well but I do feel more speed would have been better.
No knife making around here, just putting a new edge on the screwdrivers after using them as chisels.
 
another Canadian grinder is here:

www.torontoblacksmith.com

Toronto Blacksmith

Grinders are in stock and ready to ship Watch the intro video HERE Features : -Gas shock tensioner, no need to play with finicky springs -Easily Adjustable angle flat platen -Easily removable flat platen which enables you to slack grind -Two tooling arm slots -Tool rest (Not pictured)
www.torontoblacksmith.com www.torontoblacksmith.com

also seems affordable.
 
Dabbler said:
another Canadian grinder is here:

www.torontoblacksmith.com

Toronto Blacksmith

Grinders are in stock and ready to ship Watch the intro video HERE Features : -Gas shock tensioner, no need to play with finicky springs -Easily Adjustable angle flat platen -Easily removable flat platen which enables you to slack grind -Two tooling arm slots -Tool rest (Not pictured)
www.torontoblacksmith.com www.torontoblacksmith.com

also seems affordable.
Click to expand...

Seems to be. Until you compare cost to just go to your local supplier and order waterjet parts cut from whatever plans you have (at least in Toronto). Our waterjet prices have really become super affordable. This version does not rotate 90 degrees either which is a shame.

If this is what people are selling I should sell kits for a good rotating version but perhaps in a 2' x 48" which should have smaller footprint and wider appeal.
 
These guys make some pretty fancy-looking grinders in BC, with a price to match (although they do also have lesser priced kits).
vashtigrinders.com

Collections

Vashti Grinders produces high quality, original design, Canadian built 2x72 belt grinders in various formats to suit the need of the individual knife maker or fabricator, from the less experienced, to the seasoned professional. We build each and every component with professional results and...
vashtigrinders.com vashtigrinders.com

I've come pretty close to buying the HouseMade grinder kits but the Scotsman in me couldn't bring myself to spend the money when I could just buy the metal and do it myself. But I actually think the v2 Jer Schmidt one is better featured so if or when I make one for myself, I might go that route.
 
Not intending to be critical of the design, more an observation. This vertical component holding the idler wheel looks like it could be prone to bending side to side & that could cause tracking issues. Other designs seem to have a very beefy arm or it's integrated directly into the frame & only the axle changes angle slightly if I understand the mechanism correctly. Maybe before you toss your design, consider an upgrade in this particular area like square tubing or something more rigid?

Unless you are saying its just time for something new. I spent some time a while back collecting ideas & prices & plans but its an official back-burner project. The kit & commercial prices are up there & if anything getting worse with FX & shipping. If you got hold of some plans you like, you could get the parts water/laser cut. Yes they charge money, but shipping steel across the country has a cost too. I think Clough42 mentioned his SendCutSend parts + motor/vfd + wheels etc. ended up costing 2K (I might be off, watch the video). But that's USD & not sure if that was his incentive price etc. But he wanted his machine with his design features so it was worth it to him. A lot of guys don't have welding facilities which many of the kits require even though they have nice interlock tabs to help with alignment. I haven't seen too many 'bolt-together' only designs but I'm sure it would be comparably rigid if designed properly. Good luck!

1678215557564.webp
 
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