What to get first a oven or a grinder?
- Thread starter Coltan D
- Start date
To confirm Chris's comment about need for VFD - didn't even consider anything but variable speed grinder.
The only really big problem with 120 is the limited choice of VFD you have. 120vac pretty much limits to a KBAC drive. Even with a KBAC drive get a 2hp motor and "derate" it to 1.5 hp so you can run it on 120 with the KBAC drive. BUT, the KBAC drive is almost $400 alone so will bust you $1K budget.
You asked for links, let's see what this will do.
I have not used a Reeder grinder, but have looked at them, and do really like the design. I've mod'd my grinder to the Reeder tracking design and it works really good.
Reeder chassis, $600 (plus around $70 shipping): https://reederproducts.com/shop?olsPage=products/rps101-grinder-chassis
wheel set: $100 shipped https://www.ebay.com/itm/192851993267?
wheel set: $75 shipped https://www.ebay.com/itm/262093781835 (these are plastic but for casual hobby use they'll be fine)
VFD $66 shipped: https://www.ebay.com/itm/182994124127? (I've got 3 of these (not this vendor) and they work good and easy to setup, but do require 220vac. As mentioned the KBAC seems to be the only one that will run on 120.
2 hp 3 ph motor for $165 shipped: https://tinyurl.com/y5auqvcj
I think that total is a right at $1K even with the $100 wheel set.
The only really big problem with 120 is the limited choice of VFD you have. 120vac pretty much limits to a KBAC drive. Even with a KBAC drive get a 2hp motor and "derate" it to 1.5 hp so you can run it on 120 with the KBAC drive. BUT, the KBAC drive is almost $400 alone so will bust you $1K budget.
You asked for links, let's see what this will do.
I have not used a Reeder grinder, but have looked at them, and do really like the design. I've mod'd my grinder to the Reeder tracking design and it works really good.
Reeder chassis, $600 (plus around $70 shipping): https://reederproducts.com/shop?olsPage=products/rps101-grinder-chassis
wheel set: $100 shipped https://www.ebay.com/itm/192851993267?
wheel set: $75 shipped https://www.ebay.com/itm/262093781835 (these are plastic but for casual hobby use they'll be fine)
VFD $66 shipped: https://www.ebay.com/itm/182994124127? (I've got 3 of these (not this vendor) and they work good and easy to setup, but do require 220vac. As mentioned the KBAC seems to be the only one that will run on 120.
2 hp 3 ph motor for $165 shipped: https://tinyurl.com/y5auqvcj
I think that total is a right at $1K even with the $100 wheel set.
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I bought a Pheer grinder 2 years ago. I have no experience with any other maker's grinder. I was marking drill holes to secure the grinder on a bench, and clumsily knocked the whole grinder onto the concrete floor. The motor housing sustained a cosmetic ding, but no functional damage. It works perfectly.
Drew Riley
Well-Known Member
I'm gonna go against the crowd and say get an OVEN.
Just kidding. Get a 2x72 with variable speed. It'll change your life, and with the increased production and efficiency, you can sell more knives and then build or buy your own oven. In the mean time, there's plenty of companies out there that can heat treat blades for you, and give you a better end product to boot.
As for which grinder to go with... what's your budget? There are more options available now days than ever before, and it seems like there's another company popping up with a new grinder all the time. If you want to build your own from scratch, that might save you a few dollars, though at the end of the day, it may not save you as much as you'd think. That said, there's a lot of plans out there these days.
There's also a number of "assembly required" kits that allow you to save a few bucks over one that shows up at your door and runs straight out of the box. Most of these will run you about $750 to $1500 or so, by the time you get up and running.
Step your budget up to 2 or 3k, and you've really got some options. 4 to 5k, and you can buy just about anything.
Just kidding. Get a 2x72 with variable speed. It'll change your life, and with the increased production and efficiency, you can sell more knives and then build or buy your own oven. In the mean time, there's plenty of companies out there that can heat treat blades for you, and give you a better end product to boot.
As for which grinder to go with... what's your budget? There are more options available now days than ever before, and it seems like there's another company popping up with a new grinder all the time. If you want to build your own from scratch, that might save you a few dollars, though at the end of the day, it may not save you as much as you'd think. That said, there's a lot of plans out there these days.
There's also a number of "assembly required" kits that allow you to save a few bucks over one that shows up at your door and runs straight out of the box. Most of these will run you about $750 to $1500 or so, by the time you get up and running.
Step your budget up to 2 or 3k, and you've really got some options. 4 to 5k, and you can buy just about anything.
No I haven't. If your power panel is anywhere near your shop 220 shouldn't be a big issue/price concern.
I didn't even know these were available.
Interesting, but I have no real knowledge about them.
I'd never considered a voltage converter either thinking the cost would be out of line. Did a bit of searching and found this page for converters. https://www.220-electronics.com/5000-watt-diamond-series-voltage-transformer-with-regulator.html
Price not as bad as I expected, but the page does say " Use 220 Electronics Golden Rule of Voltage Converters. A converter should be rated 2 to 3 times higher that the wattage rating of your appliance. This allows you to use powerful items like air compressors and table saws." So, for a 2 hp motor of 1.5kw watts you'll need at least a 5kw unit for starting the motor at a cost around $200. For that price plus cost of a cheap Chinese VFD you would come real close to cost of a KBAC drive that will run on either 120 or 220 vac. A KBAC drive would be my choice over a voltage converter since the cost is so close to the same.
Price not as bad as I expected, but the page does say " Use 220 Electronics Golden Rule of Voltage Converters. A converter should be rated 2 to 3 times higher that the wattage rating of your appliance. This allows you to use powerful items like air compressors and table saws." So, for a 2 hp motor of 1.5kw watts you'll need at least a 5kw unit for starting the motor at a cost around $200. For that price plus cost of a cheap Chinese VFD you would come real close to cost of a KBAC drive that will run on either 120 or 220 vac. A KBAC drive would be my choice over a voltage converter since the cost is so close to the same.
Gliden07
Well-Known Member
Is the line to your grinder dedicated (only outlet on the circuit)? If yes just swap the Breaker if not run a new dedicated 220v circuit (if you have the room in your panel). Everyone gets hung up on 120v vs 220v the only thing that changes is the breaker and the configuration of the outlet the wiring to the outlet is the same! The wire is the same as the 120VAC, and it might be even easier to wire at the panel depending on how packed the panel is? I will also add if you are uncomfortable working around electricity DON'T DO IT! But it is my opinion if you can build a knife, wiring a 220VAC outlet should be a breeze. As a disclaimer I am not an Electrician.
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Darn Joe, I totally missed the link you gave is why I added another link. Yes, your link was in blue and "IF" I'd paused my cursor (or read "these") it would have shown link, but I didn't. I just saw the blue color and thinks "he's emphasizing not knowing they were available.
Later