Kevin. Send me your email address and I will send you a link to free plans and a build along for a better grinder. I would also suggest just sticking to a 2x72" grinder - the time and materials you will spend making a 2x72 versatile enough to us those other belt sizes will outweigh whatever cost you have in tho extra belts.

I would consider making the tooling arm and the socket in a popular size in the event you run across some other accessories. For instance, mine are 1-1/2 inch so I can use KMG tooling attachments.

Just my opinion, but I simply do not like the grinders that use "tubing" as the main building component..... No only will you have a lot of vibration and noise. but it's also very difficult to accurately place hole from side to side in tubing, unless you're boring all the holes on a milling machine.

Unless you can find/purchase "seamless" tubing for building it, you're also going to have to deal with the interior weld seam on every piece of tubing, which means NOTHING on the finished produce will be square/true.

Honestly, I suspect you'll wrap a ton or time and effort into building that thing, and find that it simply will have issues all the time.

The reason that you pay big money for the top end grinders is because you're paying for PRECISION.

Over my 30+ year career as a Bladesmith, I've seen it time and time again.... people try to build their own grinder, or get away with a cheap/low end grinder. Are not happy with it, and spend more money on what they think is an upgrade, and again, and again. Long story short, by the time they relent, and finally decide to purchase one of the top end grinders, they've spent enough money to have purchase 2-3 of them.

The other aspect is resale value.... if you buy a cheap grinder, or build one yourself, that money is gone, and will never be recoverable. The top end grinders hold their value, and you could easily use one for a couple of decades, and if you ever decided to sell it, you'd get very close to what you paid for it.

I know it's a hard pill to swallow, but my advice is to save up, and buy one of the top end grinders.....a KMG, a Bader, or whatever you like. It's an investment in your knifemaking future....and nothing you buy will pay more or longer lasting dividends.

Kevin have you looked at the Grinder in a box . Probably cost a little more, but the frame is solid 1/2 inch plate . There are some nice builds online. If you have any questions about it I would be happy to help. I think mine ended up at about $800 but I had the vfd.

Gilbert

Ed, I know what you are saying, but there are ways to build a good grinder that can get you by while you are learning and saving up. Kevin, you don't have to buy plans either. And I bet if you ask around for some pillar block bearings, some shaft material and scrap steel, you might only be out the cost of a motor. I literally didn't buy anything for my grinder (because a guy gave me a motor) and it has suited me for three years. There is a ton to learn in bladesmithing and you have to pace yourself buying top of the line equipment. You will get more precise work with the factory stuff, like Ed said, but that's hard to afford. Get some help, don't be afraid to ask. I wouldn't be where I am without the help of others.

I agree Chad, it's certainly possible..... personally I've built no less than a half dozen of the GIB machines for other people, and even have one in my shop. However, there were a lot of modifications that had to be made, in order to make them what I would consider"serviceable"...and I've had years of experience in what makes or breaks a grinder.

I think the key in what you wrote should be emphasized...

can get you by while you are learning and saving up

There are various level of "getting by" and if it works for a person, that's great. But it also implies that the thought in mind is to eventually get/purchase one of the top end grinders. There's also the aspect of how skillful an individual's fabricating skills/knowledge is or isn't..... in my experience most don't have the fabricating skill set that you obviously do.

Yes, one of the top end machines is a pricey purchase for most, but it's likely the most advantageous equipment purchases you will make. I've just watched what I mentioned happen time and time again..... individuals trying to get by, and spend money time and again on what they thought were upgrades, only to be disappointed/frustrated again and again...and finally resign themselves to save up and buy one of the top end grinders. The experience of that is what leads me to advise folks to just bite the bullet, save up, and buy a "good" grinder from the start. It's certainly not a "must buy" situation, but it will dramatically shorten the learning curve, will do everything a grinder can do in a better fashion, and will greatly lessen the overall frustration with the learning/knifemaking process.

All that being said, each individual will do what suits them best, and rightly so.

I'm with you Ed. If you can't do it cheap or free, it's probably not worth your time.

but it's likely the most advantageous equipment purchases you will make

Of course, new makers need to know this is one of, if not the most used piece of equipment in your shop. So Kevin, really think about how much money it's going to cost you to make your grinder, and believe makers like Ed that

time and time again..... individuals trying to get by, and spend money time and again on what they thought were upgrades, only to be disappointed/frustrated again and again...and finally resign themselves to save up and buy one of the top end grinders.

You might check out Reeder Grinders ( https://reederproducts.com/). I don't have any connection to them personally, but after doing a lot of comparing a I recently placed an order for one. If you buy the complete set-up, the cost will be comparable to other well known grinders, but one advantage with the Reeder is that you can buy just the main body and platen starting at $495, and then look for ways to save costs on wheels, motor, etc. You could get by with cheaper variations of those pieces initially to get you started and then upgrade them as you go as opposed to having to upgrade to a whole new machine. -Jake

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You might check out Reeder Grinders ( https://reederproducts.com/). I don't have any connection to them personally, but after doing a lot of comparing a I recently placed an order for one. If you buy the complete set-up, the cost will be comparable to other well known grinders, but one advantage with the Reeder is that you can buy just the main body and platen starting at $495, and then look for ways to save costs on wheels, motor, etc. You could get by with cheaper variations of those pieces initially to get you started and then upgrade them as you go as opposed to having to upgrade to a whole new machine. -Jake

Ill check them out thank you.

Ya i have been thinking on it and am thinking it would be cheaper to buy one. also i really do not like messing with electrically powered tools. been electrocuted enough as it is.