Parts list for feedback

craigbladeworks

Well-Known Member
Alright. So I feel I have outgrown my 1x30 and am sourcing the parts to make a 2x72 using the GIB 2.0. Some background first. I rent my house so I'm limited to the power in my garage which is 110. Keep that in mind. I have been making for about a year but really picked up since December and have done about a dozen since mid December.

These are the parts I have added to various shopping carts all over the web.

Frame
GIB 2.0 (with multi platen) - 286

Wheels
8" 70 duro contact wheel
2" contact wheel
Tracking wheel
5" drive wheel -all for 290$

Motor
Baldor cm3550, 1.5 HP, 3600 rpm, 3ph, tefc, 56c frame. Rated for continuous duty. -299

VFD
KB electronics kbac27D - 370

Hardware and wiring I'll source locally.

I'm just checking to see if I'm missing anything. I know I need a platen but not really sure what I'll need just from looking at the pictures on polar bear forges website. I was going to get a larger 3hp motor but it wouldn't be worth the extra cost as I am limited to 110 which will only provide enough Juice for 1.5hp max coming out of the VFD. Belts I'll get from TruGrit as I live 10 minutes from them. Been running Norton blaze on the 1x30 and like those a lot up through 220 and followed up with a fine scothbrite. So again any suggestions or concerns from what I'm looking at so far?

On a side note I'd live to just get a Pheer or KMG but I have certain credit through a couple places that I'll be utilizing to get this going so I can't make a cash or credit card purchase all at one place unfortunately.

I'd love a small wheel holder but don't know if there is one that'll work with GIB yet.
 
Other than miscellaneous hardware (the bolts and nuts) and an 18" piece of 1.5 square bar for the tooling arm, it looks pretty good. The "small wheel holder from knifedog tools"(description from usaknifemaker website) will with the GIB.

Platen size can vary from setup to setup based on the wheels used. I like to use A2 for the platen and harden it.

I never realized how many people liked the cost breakdowns, and will be adding them back to the website this weekend.

Jamie
 
Other than miscellaneous hardware (the bolts and nuts) and an 18" piece of 1.5 square bar for the tooling arm, it looks pretty good. The "small wheel holder from knifedog tools"(description from usaknifemaker website) will with the GIB.

Platen size can vary from setup to setup based on the wheels used. I like to use A2 for the platen and harden it.

I never realized how many people liked the cost breakdowns, and will be adding them back to the website this weekend.

Jamie
From the man himself. Yea I'm going to be ordering over the weekend. Thanks for the tip on the 1.5 square tube didn't even notice that. I figured I'd work out the platen once my tooling arm has the multi platen with both wheels on it so I know what size to order.
 
Don't know if you've already bought your VFD and motor yet, but I'm running a 110v input, 3phase drive similar to the one you've listed. I've got a Baldor 1hp motor. I'm sure someone will disagree with me, but I don't see a need for the 1.5hp drive and motor. I think 1 hp is plenty, my doesn't bog down at all. The motor would be a tad smaller to handle too. You might be able to save a few dollars by going down a size. I'm also running a 4" drive wheel, which I recently discovered has the built in math that makes your motor rpm pretty much equal to the belt's sfpm. It goes plenty fast enough with a 4" wheel, in fact I don't think I've ever got close to the top end speed, don't need it.
 
You can get an Iron Horse 3 ph, TEFC motor for about half price of the Baldor and you'll never know the difference. I ordered a 2hp Iron horse for $127 shipped, seems like the 1ph was $116? or something like that. I tend to agree with Anthony, unless you've got a VERY stiff 120vac circuit, you're pushing the 1.5hp on 120vac.

Don't know if you saw this thread or not, but it's got my costs and sources for ordering:

http://knifedogs.com/showthread.php?38839-New-Grinder-for-me

Good luck with grinder - you're going to enjoy it. AND - a VFD variable speed is the ONLY way to go. For a couple yr I thought my pulley setup was "just fine", but after using a direct drive setup. No comparison.

Ken H>
 
Don't know if you've already bought your VFD and motor yet, but I'm running a 110v input, 3phase drive similar to the one you've listed. I've got a Baldor 1hp motor. I'm sure someone will disagree with me, but I don't see a need for the 1.5hp drive and motor. I think 1 hp is plenty, my doesn't bog down at all. The motor would be a tad smaller to handle too. You might be able to save a few dollars by going down a size. I'm also running a 4" drive wheel, which I recently discovered has the built in math that makes your motor rpm pretty much equal to the belt's sfpm. It goes plenty fast enough with a 4" wheel, in fact I don't think I've ever got close to the top end speed, don't need it.
I don't disagree but I guess I'm trying to put myself in a place where I won't be outgrowing a set up anytime soon. I'll look into it for sure though. My original plan was 3hp. But that's probably a bit much and I'd have to wire up 220 to even get full power from the motor.
 
You can get an Iron Horse 3 ph, TEFC motor for about half price of the Baldor and you'll never know the difference. I ordered a 2hp Iron horse for $127 shipped, seems like the 1ph was $116? or something like that. I tend to agree with Anthony, unless you've got a VERY stiff 120vac circuit, you're pushing the 1.5hp on 120vac.

Don't know if you saw this thread or not, but it's got my costs and sources for ordering:

http://knifedogs.com/showthread.php?38839-New-Grinder-for-me

Good luck with grinder - you're going to enjoy it. AND - a VFD variable speed is the ONLY way to go. For a couple yr I thought my pulley setup was "just fine", but after using a direct drive setup. No comparison.

Ken H>
Actually yours was one I read a month or so ago. I'd go with one of those accept I can get the baldor through amazon with the VFD financed for no interest for 12 months on my credit line. That's the main reason I'm going that route. Plus the kbac 27d is a nema 4x enclosure which will keep the dust out. Its more money but more peace of mind that I'm gonna burn it out prematurely.
 
Understood - financing is sometimes the deciding factor. That's how big business runs, depending on cash flow to keep bills paid. Understand the TEFC motor's are all the same as far as dust protection. It's only the VFD I used that's not dust proof, and I put good filters around that to protect the electronics. We'll see how that works out.

Good luck,

Ken H>
 
just my toosense. a 1hp 1720rpm motor should be more than enough. i use a 3" drive wheel and rarely run my VFD over 40hz.(when grinding, especially after heat treat, speed kills. shortened belt life, harder to control the blade, easier to overheat the blade) my shop is in the kitchen and i get my 240vac from a dryer outlet. shop eBay for motors, you can usually find a 1hp 3phase 1720rpm with 56c frame for less than $100. I use a TECO FM50 for 3 phase power, you can usually find one for about $150. the vfd is located about 4' away from grinding area and i have no issues with dust. when getting the 1 1/2" tube make sure you get 1/4" wall. i would skip the 8" wheel when starting and spend the $$ for a foot switch and remote speed control.
 
Understood - financing is sometimes the deciding factor. That's how big business runs, depending on cash flow to keep bills paid. Understand the TEFC motor's are all the same as far as dust protection. It's only the VFD I used that's not dust proof, and I put good filters around that to protect the electronics. We'll see how that works out.

Good luck,

Ken H>
Agreed. I'd have no problem using a less expensive motor with similar specs that's for sure. I'll keep looking in that regard. I just can't help but thinking I'm safer with the dust protection from the more costly KB VFD. I'll explore more. If I can get something less expensive and build an enclosure myself I may just do that. But I have a 650 in cash to spend and then lines of credit with little or no interest I will have to use for the rest. I've tried to just bide my time with my 1x30 and keep saving but I'm getting fed up with some of the limitations.
 
just my toosense. a 1hp 1720rpm motor should be more than enough. i use a 3" drive wheel and rarely run my VFD over 40hz.(when grinding, especially after heat treat, speed kills. shortened belt life, harder to control the blade, easier to overheat the blade) my shop is in the kitchen and i get my 240vac from a dryer outlet. shop eBay for motors, you can usually find a 1hp 3phase 1720rpm with 56c frame for less than $100. I use a TECO FM50 for 3 phase power, you can usually find one for about $150. the vfd is located about 4' away from grinding area and i have no issues with dust. when getting the 1 1/2" tube make sure you get 1/4" wall. i would skip the 8" wheel when starting and spend the $$ for a foot switch and remote speed control.
I think I'd be at the same cost with a foot switch and remote speed control as just buying a VFD that's dust and wash down proof that I can mount within reach of the grinder. But again I'll be doing more homework on what it would cost to set up as you said. And I agree with the 8" contact wheel. I may fore go that option in favor of a small wheel holder and belt guide. I have a thing for choils and that attachment seems like the bees knees for tight radiuses.


As a sidebar I don't mind the extra work I've been doing to achieve a decent finish I just would like the luxury of a better tool for the job. Lol
 
Scott, you went the extra mile for that answer, straight up great work.
hatsoff.gif


I personally like the first item! It's on my wish list for Christmas, I know it's a long ways off but that gives you time to scrape together the money. Helloooooooooooooooooo, is this thing on???????????????????
 
Well that makes the search that much easier and definitely makes me feel more responsible for how and where I spend my dough. Thanks brother. Definitely opened my mind to different options.
 
Scott, you went the extra mile for that answer, straight up great work.
hatsoff.gif


I personally like the first item! It's on my wish list for Christmas, I know it's a long ways off but that gives you time to scrape together the money. Helloooooooooooooooooo, is this thing on???????????????????
Tell me about it. This is panning out to be a much better forum then I initially thought.
 
you are welcome. i have put together a basic shop for a lot less by research and shopping. i heat treat in a used Paragon front load pottery kiln($300 delivered). it gets my O1 to 1500F every time so i am ok with it. i am currently limited to 12" total length, but that is as big as i want to make at this point in time
reliance electric motors are made by the same group that also makes baldor. TECO Westinghouse is out of Taiwan and has a good reputation for quality industrial motors and motor controls.
 
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...... If I can get something less expensive and build an enclosure myself I may just do that. But I have a 650 in cash to spend.......

Shucks, with $650 to spend that should build the whole grinder without any need for a line of credit. I've got well less than that in my last 2hp grinder, but I do have access to a lathe for making the tension wheel and drive wheel. I used skateboard wheels for the platen wheels and they work just fine. The VFD I linked to in other thread can be mounted in an enclosure (or mounted remote) to protect again dust.

There is a BIG difference in what's needed for a hobby 2X72 and a full time maker where the grinder runs for several hr/day.

Ken H
 
Shucks, with $650 to spend that should build the whole grinder without any need for a line of credit. I've got well less than that in my last 2hp grinder, but I do have access to a lathe for making the tension wheel and drive wheel. I used skateboard wheels for the platen wheels and they work just fine. The VFD I linked to in other thread can be mounted in an enclosure (or mounted remote) to protect again dust.

There is a BIG difference in what's needed for a hobby 2X72 and a full time maker where the grinder runs for several hr/day.

Ken H
But that's the thing I am averaging 4-5 orders a month right now and it is growing quickly. I don't know why. Its all mainly word of mouth but its growing none the less. I won't argue that any machine I get will be under utilized for now but for how long? 6 months or maybe a year and I could be busy enough to change career paths. That's my only thought. Apart from that though I may go via the less expensive route and upgrade when I have to
 
I'd like to add that I am listening and I am not combative. I just air out my thinking so I can understand where I'm mistaken. Thanks for all the help so far
 
I have used open motors for years without trouble. I have a 2 hp that has the oil ports in the back. Just after WWII MGF is my guess. Just blow them out with a compressor once in awhile and don't get them wet. A friend gave me this motor. I've purchased others for $50.00 or less and used step pulleys and link belt.
 
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