Cheap Grinders Are a Joke! (Right?????) 

Some jerk is spamming my videos with "hello, you're a winner" comments. It's not me. Please ignore.

Thanks for the assessment I also agree with your conclusion,, Well I’ll tell ya how I became an owner of one of those chinese grinders , if you care at all to keep readin,, I watched a few of those DIY RU-vid videos on knife makin and I was hooked after the 2nd one !! Bought a 1x30 and made a forge out of a small stainless trash can, after I bought a 4 grinder I was makin knives !!! I’m retired so I got plenty of time ( plenty till I run out)🙂 so I had this notion to build a 2x72, so I watch more videos and start drawing my grinder up , not makin much progress cause I’m still making knives, so much so that after a year I still hadn’t built it but I wanted one so bad cause I knew I could do better makin knives if I had one !!! Then one day I saw it !!! At first I thought it was a misprint !! No way !!! a 2x72 for under a grand !!! With a VFD !!! A week later I had it set up!!! I couldn’t get it set up fast enough to make my first Tactical Tanto!! Hollow Ground!!! I was in the big time now !!! I will tell ya though what I did for the VFD protection,, HarborFreight has plastic ammo boxes that the VFD fits perfectly in , I wrapped the inside with a indoor AC filter I got for 5 bucks, I just cut out the dimensions of the inside ammo box numbers and I have plenty left when the first batch gets dirty, I’ve already blown our the dust a few times,, then I drilled a bunch of 1/16th dia. Holes in the face of the box and set a small electronics fan in front of it !! I got the fan for 12 bucks!! I’ve been makin knives for all my boys and all my grandkids !!! That grinder has never let me down once !!! I still can’t get over it !!! Thanks for listening y’all !!!

I have this grinder and fully agree with Walter. My solution for protecting motor and VFD is a simple piece of cloth wrapped around both the VFD casing and the air intake of the motor. It works as a simple filter stopping metal particles but at the same time allows cooling air flow. I’ve been using it for one full year now and it works

Videos like these are tremendously helpful for the fledgling knife makers. Thank you, sir!

You could cut an in and out vent, filter them, and install an intake and exhaust fan in that transformer box. Itd cost like 10$

Just got mine last night. Was delivered to the freight depot yesterday lunchtime, and I figured that it wouldn’t arrive at my place til mid next week (I live in rural Tasmania). Unboxed it last night, and set it up on the bench. I took 50mm (about 2” to you Seppos) off the tool-arm, and it fits all the attachments perfectly (300mm toothed wheel, small wheel -with both a 20mm and 30mm wheel, and the platen set) using 72” belts, as well as the several included 82” ones from Vevor. I got a nice, old plastic food container (similar to “supper-ware” 😀) to hold the control box. Much easier to mark out the cuts to expose the controls than a electrical box. Very happy, so far, but have not yet actually ‘done’ anything with it.

I've had one for 2 years now. I made separate arms for the attachments and mounted the vfd in an old box I had available. I also wired it directly to 220v. The transformer I got with it wasn't large enough and would constantly trip out. My vfd is a little different than the one you got, but it has been going strong this entire time. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one at the price for someone on a budget. I've been very productive with mine.

I have one here in the UK. Limited selection available in our market, especially at that price (£700). A year of hobbiest use and its performed really well. I used my remaining 2x72 belts simply enough without needing to cut the end off and switched to 50x2000mm belts Forgot to add that I found it easier to swap the Allen bolts for M10 wingnut bolts on the table and platen

Thank You for the review!! I have been waiting for something like this

Thank you Walter for the information it's greatly appreciated

I've been looking at these for awhile now, I neded a motor and VFD for my home built base and honestly was having trouble justifying the cost. Looks like I'll order just a motor for it. Then order one of these units and set them up with different attachments/belts. Thank you for the review

Ty for looking out for the little guy

you could rig up filters and computer cooling fans to get airflow through the electronics box. Wouldn't be too difficult

I have this grinder and have used it hard. I also removed the control pad and mounted all electronics under the workbench. Then put the control pad on the bench in an light switch/ electrical box. I was very skeptical at first but with a few mods this grinder will be great.

I bought one 6 months ago. For the price and the attachments it's great. Do the mods and enjoy. I have no major complaints.

how on EARTH do these cost more than like 500 bucks..blows my mind.

Great review! I was looking at this machine, thank you

Excellent review - THANKS !

I’ve owned it for over a year. Shortened the tube to fit 2x72 belts. Replaced the graphite after a while with a glass platen. Converted to 220 (no transformer) Vfd popped after about 8 months(I made a box with a filter to keep it In). Bought a higher quality one when replacing. Otherwise love the machine. It’s a grinding machine. Also the keypad pops out of the vfd and a cable can be added to get the vfd further from the grime. Forgot I also fabricated a larger table.

Thanks for this review. I recently bought one of these. Not quite the same, the one i have is a little more user friendly, however it does have a similar size work table and speed controller. I haven't yet had the opportunity to put it theough its paces, but i did actually get an electrician to rewire it as the wiring it came with was shoddy to say the least. Not the wiring is nice and solid and looks professional. Im still in the process (multiple processes) of putting together my work shop, so hopefully one day soon i can really test it out. That said, i am super happy that a man with your years of knowledge and experience put it through some tests. Gives me a little piece of mind. They arent overly expensive, especially compared to the American made model, but id be had pressed i think to fabricate on myself for the same cost.

Thank you

Ditch the transformer and wire it directly to 220v and set the VFD for 60hz and not 50

I went from a HF 1x30 to an IBM American made grinder not as nice as an Ameribrade, but certainly good enough. This one you reviewed sure came with a lot of accessories, and with care could probably get a guy going and earn enough to get a quality American made grinder. I think $1000 is in reach of someone wanting to get more serious, but doesn't want to go in the hole at the very beginning.

Started my knife making with a homemade 2x72 grinder. Built a second one to fix the flaws of the first one. And now use one made by Reeder Products that I really love. Everyone needs a starting point.

I've been running one of these for about 6 months. I'm in Nova Scotia, Canada. It was around $1000 delivered to my door. Of course it's not as good as the big name grinders but it's around 1/4 the price and it's 1000 times better than a 1x30 or 4x36 which is what I started with. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to up their game without paying $4000-$5000 for a 2x72.

Great video one thing these VFD drives might have a Potentiometer and other low voltage outputs to have the VFD far away from dust

Wow I haven't heard you in a long time. Love your videos.

If the VFD was to start getting hot, cutting a hole in each side of the enclosure and then putting some filter material in one and a filtered fan made for a PC enclosure in the other would solve the issue for sure and could probably be done for under $40 if you looked around a bit.

Nice review, Walter! Any chance you can post links to the electrical enclosure boxes?

Hi, my VFD is mounted under the bench and I have run a ribbon cable to the control panel from the VFD and placed it on the front of the bench. I was lucky as I know a retired engineer who builds grinders for extra retirement money and builds them to order ! In the UK there is not a lot of choice for the knifemaker and importing is very expensive, may have to relocate to USA !!!!!!!!!

Great review. 👍👍

I’ve seen people change the shock out on the top tensioner wheel to a shorter shock to fit a 72” belt

I use a ton of OSHA Blue!

This is much nicer than the 2×72 I got a few years ago.

Here is more info on shortening the shock I found from another site: Jordan Mr Reviewed on Feb 04, 2023 If you order Item 782J79, Mfr. Model GSWB410645 from Grainger you can convert this to 72" with no permanent modifications. It is a smaller gas piston with the same pressure. Drill out the ends of the new piston with a 5/16th" bit to fit the original hex screws, swap the pistons and now you have a grinder that works for 72" with no permanent modifications and you can still tilt the flat platen/use the top/bottom areas of the belt for rounding etc.

I bought this same belt grinder on Amazon before it had the Vevor name on it. It did not come with a VFD. Instead, it came with an 18 gauge power cable to run straight from 110 volt wall power to the 13 amp motor. That’s right…..13 amp motor. At least that’s what it says on the label. I replaced the power cable with a 10 gauge stranded cable and it works but I do not believe that’s the best solution.

The front panel on the VFD should pop out and can be extended with a ribbon cable

Just watched this Walter and thanks for doing this review, it came about due to a question asked in a knife making group in Australia and someone posted you video, an honest review and looks like a fairly sturdy machine but just question, Why did you mount the VFD on the bench in almost direct line of fire of all the sparks and metal debris and not on a post back near the motor, once turned on and speed set you really shouldn't need to touch it again to turn off, and again thanks for a frank and honest review, as I have never come across you before will certainly be watching more.

You should give it away!! I could use it. As I’m just starting out.

Wow "cheap" grinders have gotten much more expensive. I bought a Reeder 2x72 frame back in 2017 for $500+ shipping (delivered it was like $570) Bought a sealed 3phase motor off amazon for $170 and a KB VFD for $357 (also off amazon) All in was under $1100. Looks like the price of entry for a US made grinder is more than double that these days. Great review. Would love to see a review of the Reeder some time, maybe they'll send you one... Just keep in mind their prices have gone up significantly since I bought mine. The same frame now costs ~$800... still a nice quality build IMHO though. Too bad mine mostly sits in the basement.. I need to get back to working on my skills.

Thanks for the review Walter. I bought this grinder earlier this year and I'm relieved to hear you're opinion that it isn't absolute trash. I enclosed my vfd in an ammo box and I also added an earth grounding wire. I've only really used the flat platen so far and the graphite pad is showing some dents. I think I'll replace it with a ceramic glass platen on the near future. With the small radius attachment, the angle of the belt seems to limit the ability to plunge into tight corners. I see some other grinders have a contact wheel above the belt that essentially makes it run horizontally before curving around the radius. Any idea whether something similar could be modified for this grinder?

i have been using a homemade one the last 10 years or so, that has skateboard wheels, a wooden drive wheel, an axle from a mini quad, and a sowing sewing machine motor, it works fine

Walter Combat Abrasives will make any length of belt as long as there is more than 1 belt being made. Just ask your sponsor ... Cheers, Martin

Thanks for the video, always enjoy watching them. Now if you install a smaller drive wheel won't that give you the ability to shorten the belt.

The belt is actually metric, look for 2000mm x 50mm.

Can repair parts. Ex bushings, bearings etc. Be found when it takes a dump?

I live in Mississippi how long did it take to receive your machine after ordering. Thanks for all the good info

It was a choice between Vevor grinder or one with no drive motor and no wheels so far I’ve only cut maybe 1.5” off tool arm to accommodate 72” belts also I measured platten length and fitted a ceramic glass platten with stop . very pleased with product shipped from Cali.

3:00 Was the bolt direction specified in the directions? I've read some horror stories about Vevor support and lack of parts.

THANK YOU, WALTER!!! THIS IS VERY HELPFUL INFORMATION!!... I JUST SAW THAT "2 X 82" BELT AD... I THOUGHT IT WAS A "TYPO"!!!....

For european people, you can get a similar setup but from european based company, Batko, they make 2 versions, I just gotten the cheaper one which is for a 50x1650 or the bigger one for up to50 x 2000 belts. Reasonbly priced and seems solidly built.

What size electric box did you get?

Here in Brasil 2x82 are the most comom professional, smaller are considerer "hobby" machines

Would love a masjine like that. But here in South Africa every thing is just to expensive for me.😢

If you put a smaller drive wheel on that, it would probably be easier to use a 72" belt.

Do you have any plans to review the grizzly 2x42 which looks as though it is built on a miniaturized 2x72 platform

I wish I would have purchased this over my Ameribrade 2×48. I love the Ameribrade 2×72 it's probably the best grinder out there but they sure missed it with the 2×48

Would just moving the the VFD and transformer to a more remote location from the machine solve dust issues.

I personally use a 1x30 that I bought for about $50 a long time ago. It is a lot worse than pretty much any 2x72 for knife making, but it gets the job done and with the exception of deep hollow grinds I haven't really found much it can't do.

Interesting. How much more would you need to spend to get what you would consider to be a step up from this machine? It seems to me that tools equipped like this one usually are 2 1/2 times the money.

Well living in Europe I have no issue with metric, 220V, 2x82 / 50x2000 mm belts. Will I buy it? No. I built my own grinder. Actually I built 2. I used my first one for about 9 years despite all my design errors. My new built, I brutally honest, is my copy of Brian Fellhoelters Ubergrinder. Is it perfect? No but having built it myself I know it in and out and know how to fix issues. The cost? About 460€ so way cheaper than anything else.

Wire it for 220 and loose the transformer and it makes a world of difference!!!

After reading the comments, it looks like I'll never own a grinder.

I bought a 4x36 belt grinder from Canadian tire. It seems to work alright, but it is GROSSLY underpowered, it works but takes a long time to surface grind, and doesn't have the power to remove material quickly. It took me all afternoon to shape my blade profile yesterday 😅

When you said $1,000 I was like, “Nah-I’ll just save another few hundred and get another Ameribrade…” But then you listed the attachments and if it works, it really is a pretty good deal. I’ll still stick with my Ameribrade though…

What's the buzz on Burr King?

Vevor is giving these things away to all the youtube metal guys. I'll guarantee a positive review if they'll kick one my way as well

Just buy the Oregon,USA Made Pheer for a couple hundred more.

Unfortunately we all don’t have money I am on a disability pension and when I get my pension and pay all the bills and food , fuel, it leaves me with about $100 to last me a fortnight, I have just started trying to forge all homemade, still have not got all the gear, but sometime some of us either have to try and make or buy cheap if we can afford, I can’t and at 58yo. I thought I would of had a house ect unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances I lost everything my car is only worth $1500.00 FFS, Life is Hard.

Walter: cheap grinders are a joke right? Me: oh is he reviewing $200 grinders?? Walter: This grinder cost $1000 Me:😶

Decent enough review, and I’m glad I watched it. But I think I’ll take a pass on this. I’m putting together the money to buy a Housemade 2x72 revolution series grinder. It costs a little more but still under $2k. You get the components, plus you have to source your own motor and vfd, but, you have total control over the manufacturing process. You get the opportunity to build the machine as good or bad as you want. LOL

How is a grand cheap or considered budget? Most folks starting out aren't left with much after purchasing all the other tools associated with metal work.

Outside the U.S. - both 82 inch belts and metric measurements are a preference... So I'm left with the cheap and dirt susceptible boxing of the electric parts, which, I think, will be fun to fix myself. Never went into any of this before, and of course I'm not a "professional" metal worker of any kind - so I'd consider improving the machine just another fun and welcome fun project. One thing missing here is the actual prices, though. How much is this one, and how much are the "American brands" mentioned? what's the difference? is it half the price? third the price? could you at least throw in a link to purchasing this product and 3-4 American-made alternatives to compare against? This is a big heavy box - and the shipment expenses could EASILY be higher than the product price anyway (where I live). So the review is missing important info for me. Thanks a lot!

Watch the price of this grinder skyrocket

No they are not. May take a little longer, but the results can be the same. You make good videos.

If 1000 dolar is a budget machine- how much is a normal one?😱

"Cheap" and $1000 is crazy to me for a grinder

Hey Walter, has your You Tube account been hacked. I got a notification from you that I won a prize. Wasn't aware there was a give away.

If your going to describe an item as cheap, budget, economical... I highly recommend you disclose the actual COST as well.

Buy once cry once...id save for another year and get a quality machine

Oh God not metric!

For the price of 1000€ a joke for sure . . .

Klingspor ( Hickory, NC) can make custom length belts. Probably not all the offerings that knife making suppliers have though. I know you were joking but OSHA does not approve anything. Only compliance.. And those are "hex wrenches." They should be called by their proper name.

I tried to order this grinder. They took my money then i got a mail from customer support that they dont ship to where i live. They returned my money after a while but it was 60euro short because of the exchange rate. Ive read alot of reviews and it seems like a proper scam site. Would recomend to stay away.