Knife grinders

[B.Barker]

Guys I would like to get a knife grinder but don't have the money for a Bader or other factory made grinder. So I'm wondering if any of you guys have made your own grinder? I want a grinder with speed control and have found a motor wired with a speed control on it. All the wheels are available too so I thought I would start collecting parts to make my own. But all my knife work so far has been 70% file work and the other 30% done with an old six inch belt sander and six inch grinder. I need to know what makes a useful knife grinder since I have never used one.

[bjansen]

B. Search this specific forum for "grinder build" and you will find a few good examples of homemade grinders. I think if you study the pics and plans available you can easily put a fine grinder together.  

What makes a 2x72 grinder a good grinder is:

-power: 1.5-3hp should be the motor range....bigger the better
-ease of changing the setup (I.e., tooling arm slots, easy and quick to use belt tensioning systems)
-variability of speed
-rigidity: Make it a stout machine with heavy duty parts

[flyflinger]

I too looked long and hard at grinders from Bader to KMG. I settled on an Oregon Blade Maker grinder. Love it.
They also sell their components separately for folks who are building their own. Great service and awesome prices compared to the other brands. I also bought their motor and vfd. Plenty of power and comes already wired.

[stickmonkey]

I built my own 9 years ago and used it up till this last year when I went with a TW90. I got the plans from Tracy at USA knifemaker and welded mine up. I