What Did You Buy Today?

But completely outside of my Hobbyist budget...
Uh-huh. I don't believe you... I've been watching your list of acquisitions! ;)

All kidding aside, I'm Curious how much can be saved by building a home build unit vs. something purchased.
For example, what will the 2x72 build cost compared to this ready to go. Knock the wheel kit off the cost of below, could you build the rest of this for less?

Honestly, I do want to know how the numbers work out. I do want another one...
 
Uh-huh. I don't believe you... I've been watching your list of acquisitions! ;)

All kidding aside, I'm Curious how much can be saved by building a home build unit vs. something purchased.
For example, what will the 2x72 build cost compared to this ready to go. Knock the wheel kit off the cost of below, could you build the rest of this for less?

Honestly, I do want to know how the numbers work out. I do want another one...
For me it was all about the work that Jeremy (Jer) did with his and helping him with whatever contribution I could do. In my mind, it is a well thoughtout design. If he had made those and sold them already built, yes, I would have just purchased his... but he only provides the plan (very detailed with part lists and even links to some providers).

So, in my case, it was more about a way to contribute to someone that is trying to make a name for himself... liking a specific design, and a way to recognize the effort he placed into his design....

I am a sucker for wanting to help when I see someone coming up with a great idea... something I could use, and if I can help by supporting them, just makes me feel good. Love to see ingenuity at work... gives me a good feeling every time I see it in action... Probably why all my subscriptions in YouTube are of folks that make something out of nothing...

It is like that vise that Andrew Klein makes... The Twin Turbo Vise. I watched him from the start while he was designing, and now selling, his vise. It is a mechanical work of art... I can't possibly justify the need for one... but as soon as my shop is built, you better believe that I will get one and install it somewhere in the shop... even if it is only to admire it...

Here is his channel if you have not seen it:


Not sure if that makes sense... ..but that is what I tell my wife when another box arrives...
 
Last edited:
You have one of those??? Wow.

But now everyone on here will want one... Seems like we'll have to give up an arm and a leg to own PART of the accessories. Pretty cool stuff though. Most of us can only salivate...

Like I said in another thread, probably the most used tool in my shop has been my small 1x40 belt sander/grinder. Would like to upgrade, but mine does most of what I need, maybe a little slower, but still pretty good.
I have four 1x42 belt sanders, one of which is a sander/grinder. I had another 1x42 sander/grinder, but gave it to a grandson who is interested in woodworking. I can leave a different grit belt on each unit, which saves time on belt changes. This works well because I don't use them for material removal very much. I rough stuff out first, then do the finishing touches on the belt sander.
 
Uh-huh. I don't believe you... I've been watching your list of acquisitions! ;)

All kidding aside, I'm Curious how much can be saved by building a home build unit vs. something purchased.
For example, what will the 2x72 build cost compared to this ready to go. Knock the wheel kit off the cost of below, could you build the rest of this for less?

Honestly, I do want to know how the numbers work out. I do want another one...

I think I ended up at about $300 for a 2x72. I went with a simpler design that needs shimming for the tracking wheel post. I bought most of the steel new, as I didn't have much of a scrap pile to work from. The motor was a deal on FB, but I had a treadmill motor available I could have used. I did buy a plastic wheel set thinking I could upgrade later, but I haven't had any reason to.

That said I did have the ability and tools to cut and weld it up. I think a lot of people buying these don't weld and don't want to. There are some bolt together kits out there, which people seem pretty happy with. Might save a few bucks over a pre-made. I thought it was a fun project.
 
For me it was all about the work that Jeremy (Jer) did with his and helping him with whatever contribution I could do. In my mind, it is a well thoughtout design. If he had made those and sold them already built, yes, I would have just purchased his... but he only provides the plan (very detailed with part lists and even links to some providers).

Understand completely. I feel the same way about the Beaumont Metal Works guy.

I will qualify, the original point of my first post wasn't about spending money for a KMG. It was about the specific attachments I use/love the most on a 2x72 grinder. Any of these could be built from scratch. A 2x72 is such amazing machine when you add a few accessories. The 10" contact wheel is by far the most used in my shop, etc.

I did look through the list of kits and parts from the site you bought yours from. My only comment would be to use a rubber contact wheel for anything that contacts work. It'd be like the difference of a Porsche on solid steel vs. rubber wheels. It would be a completely different machine!
 
Understand completely. I feel the same way about the Beaumont Metal Works guy.

I will qualify, the original point of my first post wasn't about spending money for a KMG. It was about the specific attachments I use/love the most on a 2x72 grinder. Any of these could be built from scratch. A 2x72 is such amazing machine when you add a few accessories. The 10" contact wheel is by far the most used in my shop, etc.

I did look through the list of kits and parts from the site you bought yours from. My only comment would be to use a rubber contact wheel for anything that contacts work. It'd be like the difference of a Porsche on solid steel vs. rubber wheels. It would be a completely different machine!
I understand. But that is really way out of my league for the use I will give it….

You answered a question I had on what size rubber contact wheel to get…. 10” it is… I will also order a 2” for the small wheel attachment that I plan to make…

Thanks
 
Uh-huh. I don't believe you... I've been watching your list of acquisitions! ;)

To be fair, there is usually a limit. It starts like Alexander the Great, when King Darius said, "My son, ask for thyself another kingdom, for that which I leave is too small for thee." And so Alexander went forth and conquered Asia Minor. And Wachuko followed, by building the dream shop in Ocala!

New shops come with space, and space is like entropy, moving inexorably toward disorder. The siren's call of new space means forging! and grinding! It means lower, leaner, and faster Porsches. It means deeper burgundy pearl paint will be spread upon tools with fine brushes. And parts will be cut. And welds will be made. And there will be much rejoicing!

And sometimes, after the dust settles, payments will be made at the altar of revolving credit. But we take great care when borrowing against the future as responsible hobby machinists, right?
 
To be fair, there is usually a limit. It starts like Alexander the Great, when King Darius said, "My son, ask for thyself another kingdom, for that which I leave is too small for thee." And so Alexander went forth and conquered Asia Minor. And Wachuko followed, by building the dream shop in Ocala!

New shops come with space, and space is like entropy, moving inexorably toward disorder. The siren's call of new space means forging! and grinding! It means lower, leaner, and faster Porsches. It means deeper burgundy pearl paint will be spread upon tools with fine brushes. And parts will be cut. And welds will be made. And there will be much rejoicing!

And sometimes, after the dust settles, payments will be made at the altar of revolving credit. But we take great care when borrowing against the future as responsible hobby machinists, right?
Could have not said it better myself if I tried... I was even hearing the background music rising into a crescendo as I read it...

 
Back
Top