2x72 Surface Grinding Attachment Upgrade || Magnetic Chuck - Knife Making Surface Grinder

In this video we address some of the sort falls of the DIY Surface Grinder we built back in 2020. Specifically the magnetic chuck. North Ridge Tool sent the channel this chuck for free so that we could test it out on a DIY surface grinding attachment. If you're interested in acquiring one of these chucks from North Ridge check out their website and give them a call.
⭐ North Ridge Tool - www.northridgetool.com/contact/
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The information provided on this channel is for entertainment purposes only. Any action you as the viewer takes upon the information on this channel is strictly at your own risk, and Red Beard Ops LLC will not be liable for any losses, damages, or personal injuries in connection with the use of this content (including injuries, damages, or losses sustained while you were trying to emulate the actions and projects on this channel). Attempting to emulate any of the actions or projects put forth by this channel should not be done without training and even then, at your own risk.

[@RedBeardOps]

Some other videos on this SGA: 1.) How to Build a DIY SGA - kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYKVkqigepijjc0 2.) SGA Updates June 2020 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaGrgWZuo7tmq7c

[@kanedario7639]

instablaster

[@NRiggiKnives]

Great addition to the SGA- that should make life easier James! Will surely be looking at NRT in the future for some upgrades.

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks Nick! Yeah, it's pretty nice to use for sure. Those guys at NRT are pretty awesome to deal with. Seems like they have a good team over there and are making some excellent products.

[@en2oh]

brilliant work! I especially like the move to horizontal travel of the work surface.

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@jjppres]

Now you got my mouth watering. It is such a huge pain to clean my chuck all the time.I will definately be looking into one of these. I also noticed that you are running your grinder in the horizontal position now with this attachment. I never thought of trying that. I have a Reeder Product grinder that flips to horizontal also. I will be trying that out today. At my ripe old age with my bad shoulders pulling that thing up and down wears my arm out quickly. Man this video was a BIG score for me. Thanks James!

[@RedBeardOps]

Hey Jim, Man, the chuck really does make life easier for sure. As far as the horizontal goes... I just got the ability to do that with my grinding set up. It's way nicer for using the SGA for sure! Cheers sir!

[@MakingStuff]

Turned out to be a really nice upgrade!

[@RedBeardOps]

I think so too! Little heavy, but really nice to have it turn on and off! Cheers

[@evloftis4143]

it's nice to see that company's are starting to send you stuff to help you out in your knife making really nice up grade for you congrats

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you very much sir. Have a great weekend!

[@johnlively8808]

I was impressed by the design and build for your surface-grinding attachment. I was able to order the same linear- bearing slide you used, but bought a different micro-adjust platform. Anyway, since I bought the KMG “Classic” model grinder and not the KMG-TX tilting model (this was a mistake) I was faced with the requirement of operating the slide in vertical mod. I stayed up a few nights trying to figure out how to minimize the effort needed to make this arrangement work. Finally hit upon the idea of using a counter-weight system. Had a spare set of 30 mm.-bore shaper collars which together equal the weight of the magnetic chuck and slide. Two pulleys affixed to ceiling joists, some stout nylon cord and I was in business. I was seriously surprised at how well this approach has worked out. It’s totally out-of-the-way, interferes with nothing and stores easily. What’s best is that I can raise and lower the slide with a single finger. I’ll bet this system requires less muscle power than a horizontal system does. And I get end-to-end uniform thickness of 2-3/1000 in. over 12 in. I’ve got a 5-min. video showing the thing in operation, which offers visual proof of the “Look, mom, one finger” boast. Send me an email address, and I’ll send you the video, if you’re interested. And thanks very much for your sharing your design/build. I spent about $400 on materials and supplies. The KMG surfacer runs about $1,500, as does the Wuertz device runs several hundreds more. This was a challenging, rewarding project, which I would not have undertaken without your example and inspiration and your excellent video presentation. -John Lively, LeatherWood Workshops

[@RedBeardOps]

Heck yeah thanks for the comment John! Sounds like you have yourself a nice attachment.

[@jacoblattimore5434]

Great video 👍. Your original video has been one of my favorites for a long time, nice to see the follow up. You should get a set of transfer punches. I just have a cheap harbor freight set and they are a real game changer.

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks Jacob! I agree! Need a set

[@Skinflaps_Meatslapper]

Oh yeah dude, you weren't lying...this is a fantastic upgrade! It's right up there with mine, most of the time I don't even need parts as flat as what yours can achieve...it's more out of convenience for assembly than actually needing a surface that flat.

[@RedBeardOps]

Heck yeah man, pretty stoked about it thus far. I agree... for the full tang knife maker

[@Skinflaps_Meatslapper]

@@RedBeardOps Definitely, .001 is usually enough for machinists too. Unless you're making precision tooling and whatnot, you really don't even need it that precisely flat. For knifemaking, having it that flat is a bit excessive if the wood you're working with isn't completely stable and super fine grained. I actually went out today and found some mesquite burl wood at a local trail. I'm certain it's gonna look fantastic, but I'm also fairly certain after a few years on a knife it'll develop some kind of warping and a visible gap on the tang...that's just my luck though 🤦‍♂️

[@wadejensen3301]

Mate...you are a champion! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience!

[@RedBeardOps]

I appreciate that! Thanks for your comment, Wade!

[@bhein67]

Nice upgrade! That's some excellent tolerances Cheers from Canada

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you very much! Cheers from Texas!

[@wiley979]

that is so awesome of North ridge. nice mod to the design

[@RedBeardOps]

Man Wiley, it really was. They're good dudes over there for sure.

[@ffbrn]

Man! I can't tell you enough how much I looked for such a component! A permanent magnetic chuck 3"x12" or something is impossible to find. All I could find are these huge 6x12 or 6x18 stuff. Great content as always brother!

[@RedBeardOps]

Right on! Yeah, this chuck is legit. I was very impressed when I was unboxing it. It is pretty heavy... but in the horizontal position it hasn't been an issue. So far so good! Cheers man

[@jeffkushen5586]

Perfect! I was trying to work out a magnetic canceling piece for mine for just this reason! Maybe I'll call North RIdge Tool, they are about 3 miles from me! LOVE the Indiana Jones call out! ROTFL!

[@RedBeardOps]

Lol, thanks Jeff! Figured someone would laugh at that. Those guys over there at NRT seem like good people for sure.

[@jameshoward7978]

I tried reaching out to them over email and got no response. Any updates on your end? I was looking to see when/if they go on sale.

[@RedBeardOps]

@@jameshoward7978 I don't. I'd advise sending them a message on Instagram if the email isn't working. They're pretty active on there.

[@adrianhernandez974]

Excelente aporte para el taller, te lo voy a “copiar” amigo. Saludos desde Ecatepec, México 🇲🇽

[@RedBeardOps]

¡Muchas gracias! ¡Ten un excelente fin de semana!

[@skipgoryews1356]

Very well done ! hope it serves you well on your projects . I wish you the best of luck ! Skip

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you very much!

[@sudo_nym]

That’s a game changer, James! And also testament to the maker community. Well done George! An extra 5lb shouldn’t mean anything if you’re in beast mode, dude 👍🏻😎💪🏻. As the magnet is horizontal, there’s less effort involved. Just a different muscle group. Looking at your RBO hoodie. Very nice! 🤟🏻. Might have to get me one of them!

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you very much sir! Glad you enjoyed this one. The guys at NRT really did us a solid here. I have to admit the horizontal orrientation is pretty darn nice. I just got that hoodie in... It's nicer than it thought it would be for sure. Cheers sir!

[@sudo_nym]

@@RedBeardOps 👍🏻👍🏻😎🙏🏻

[@sudo_nym]

@@RedBeardOps Unfortunately for me, they’re out of large. I’ll keep watching though, mate 👍🏻

[@RedBeardOps]

@@sudo_nym Damn! Sorry man, I didn't even know they could go out of stock!

[@sudo_nym]

@@RedBeardOps Not your fault, dude. I’ll keep checking in. They’ll be back soon enough! 👍🏻👍🏻😎

[@ClenioBuilder]

Awesome upgrade.

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks! So far it's been awesome!

[@honeycuttracing]

Nice upgrade!

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks!

[@MrMarsBlades]

Hi mate, i'm in the process of making an SGA after getting inspiration from your original build video. I will be publishing my build on my channel when i get all the parts. Hope you don't mind but i included a link to your original build in a recent introduction video as it has a lot of details about where to get the parts from etc.. That new magnetic block looks great, thanks for the update.

[@RedBeardOps]

Doesn't bother me at all! Cheers man, good luck with your build!

[@MySickstring]

Hey James, as usual I am constantly impressed with your skill set. I’m just about finished with the plans I mentioned to you before for a unique version of this SGA but I can’t find any info on the mag chuck from Northridge Tool site. I guess I’ll have to call them. Thanks for the vids, I’ll be in touch when I unveil my plans.

[@RedBeardOps]

Yes sir, I think you have to call them to get details on it. I'm not sure how many they have. Cheers sir!

[@stevehaynes2857]

Ok, watching these videos and very impressed with the results. I am in the process of ordering materials. The magnetic chuck seems a good upgrade. I was thinking that maybe and electro magnet door lock might work. They work on 12v or 24v, appear to be the perfect size and are really cheap.

[@RedBeardOps]

Good idea! Good luck with your build

[@lawrenceogden8682]

great results

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@garetkonigsfeld2]

Nice job thanks for sharing 👍

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@igorpalmer4115]

Much better than the permanent magnetic jig. However, this one also uses permanent magnets - two, high capacity neodymium magnets to be exact. This arrangement makes the chuck bulky and very heavy. Moreover, neodymium magnets are very brittle and easily break if dropped; hence a heavy steel sheath to protect the magnets. This also adds to the weight and the overall cost. To make your own permanent neodymium magnets jig is very difficult even for a skilled DIYer. To make an electromagnet is not difficult at all, would be much lighter, more durable and would be much cheaper - I presume cheaper, since I have no idea how much your mag jig cost. Still, this jig is far better than the DIY perma magnetic one. Good luck and keep going :)

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you Igor!

[@thehumblepundit9790]

Really cool video! I'd love to see you crank out a Karambit style knife. Amazing that you don't have a million subs.

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you very much! It's on my list for sure!

[@kenh8979]

Looking forward to when NRT has the chuck listed on their website. I'm sure it's going to be pricey, perhaps as in "if you have to ask how much you can't afford it" {grinning} Thanks for the video.

[@RedBeardOps]

Good point there Ken! This chuck is getting the job done for me, but you're right It is pricy... and heavy. Would be great if it was 1/2 the weight.

[@pauls5745]

3 tenths! wow very good for being just shop-made. i tried to make one once and was getting 2 thou in 6" at best so it was worse than my mini mill and I repurposed the parts

[@RedBeardOps]

Hey Paul, man, I could of just gotten lucky. I feel like 0.001'' is pretty darn acceptable for one of these machines over the length of a knife. I'll keep using it! We'll see how it holds up.

[@jr3628]

great how to. seems that the runout (fixed by the shims) might be in the mill when you faced the spacer blocks with the fly cutter... time to tram your mill!

[@RedBeardOps]

Hey Jesus, could be! I trammed it not too long ago. I think the run out was due to me not surfacing all 4 sides of the blocks... but I'm not sure really. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jr3628]

@@RedBeardOps that will do it too! but it looked good either way so keep it up... watching you makes me want to try to make a sushi knife and chopper for a friend of mine who is new to the trade. she cant really afford the $600 hand made knifes that the other chefs have.

[@RedBeardOps]

@@jr3628 Heck, yeah! Do it!

[@mauroaraujo1421]

Excelent job. I was going to follow you and do a SGA following your guidance on the previous videos, but I'm glad I watched this upgrade first. Thanks for sharing. What is the size of the magnetic chuck?

[@RedBeardOps]

Good luck Mauro. Bottom Left @ 02:04

[@mauroaraujo1421]

Noted. Thanks

[@TyrellKnifeworks]

I like the mag chuck but it’s pricey to add. Great precision though! 👍

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks man, I agree.. It's not "cheap"

[@eddieagha5851]

Hi James! Another great video. I have watched it three times, but I confess I don't understand why you needed the spacers for the magnetic chuck at all? Could you not have attached it directly to the same arm that held the original magnet you created? Thanks.

[@RedBeardOps]

Good point Eddie, I think that's accurate. I was trying to make due with the hardware I had.

[@jefflyon100]

Really nice job on the sg attachment! The precision is surprising as the aluminum rail systems aren't usually that accurate. I was wondering why you didn't just surface grind the aluminum spacer blocks instead of shimming them, maybe I missed something. I was also curious how accurate it would machine a square piece of 1 1/2" to 2" steel. I'm curious if it would come out square or shaped more like a trapezoid. I'm planning to build one but would like to be able to do more than knife blanks. I'd love to do it with the same type of system if it can square a decent sized block up to resonable tolerances. Do you think it could be possible with this setup? Thank you!

[@RedBeardOps]

I shimmed for the bulk of the movement, then surfaced the chuck. I wanted to maintain as much chuck material as possible. I haven't used it for squaring stock like that before. considering how squaring the my mill requires a non-moving back vise jaw... I'm not sure if it would get you similar results just flipping the piece.

[@abinnovations6699]

What belts do you use to eliminate the belt bump? Or do you grind the seam down? What speed are you running your grinder at?

[@RedBeardOps]

Max out the grinder. I normally use trizact or ceramic belts on the SGA. Cheers!

[@bobthebuilder6315]

I just watched your original video and left comment about the belts check out klingspor abrasives they might have what you need and I believe that they might make custom belts also, nice job BTY 👍👍

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks for the tip! I like their abrasives in general. Cheers Bob!

[@ironhead65]

I have the same mill. I start taps the same way. Do you disconnect the motor somehow? Twisting against the motor and gearing is rather difficult. Maybe more reason for the belt upgrade?

[@RedBeardOps]

Hey Dan, I have not disconnected the mor or upgraded the plastic gears. You're right there is some resistence for sure! Gotta say, I've used the heck out of that little mill, really happy I bought it. CHeers sir

[@aaronbrown7731]

Such a bummer that they aren’t making grinders anymore. Hopefully they’ll decide to again sometime in the near future.

[@RedBeardOps]

Dang, I didn't realize that! It's a great machine!

[@aaronbrown7731]

@@RedBeardOps I tried buying one a few months ago and that is the info they gave me unfortunately. Watching your videos really got me interested in them.

[@OldOwl]

I have been looking at making a surface grinding attachment however I just can’t force myself to use permanent magnets. Do you see any reason that a guy should not use an electromagnet if he is will to cope with the wires? As a test I purchased a very powerful fire door electromagnet from the web and found that it was incredibly strong…like break fingers strong. It has the added benefit of dropping any metal filings when power is removed. My plan is to face it will aluminum so I can reface it numerous times if necessary. Looking forward to your criticism.

[@RedBeardOps]

I don't see an issue with that. It's nice to be able to turn it off and on for sure!

[@troyam6607]

angry machinist here - great job!

[@RedBeardOps]

LOL, thanks Troy! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@adamhackman2089]

Hey I just purchased a brodbeck 2x72 grinder. It came with a 8” contact wheel but I would like to have a 10” or 12” aswell. I see you purchased one from a supplier I can’t remember the name as I’m typing I know you gave a link. Which one would you suggest. I’m a beginner and want to attempt some hollow grinds. The wheels brodbeck offer are very expensive! I see where you purchased yours they seem to be affordable. I honestly don’t even know what the dimensions need to be to match what I have...

[@RedBeardOps]

Man... I've only done a few hollow grinds with a 10'' wheel. Seems to be working fine. I know a lot of guys use the 12'' though. Probably depends on blade width

[@MikeyMystery45]

I have confidence in the fundamentals of the design. Maybe if you could design something with 2x4 studs instead of solid aluiminuim maybe it might be more of an option. Like pretend you couldn't use any of your tools you own in that shop except a handheld drill, a grinder, and you were broke completely and had to buiild it for free. I'd be impressed to see what you could come up with.

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks for the ideas!

[@randallblack6525]

Hey Red Beard, I'm having trouble locating the parts list for your surface grinder. Can you help me out? Thank you!

[@RedBeardOps]

This was the build video. Check out the description of this one. Cheers! kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYKVkqigepijjc0

[@jmbstudio6873]

I was checking those out, but the only way to get things truly flat is to crosshatch sand/grind. Ask any auto body guy who paints alot of black cars with clearcoat. Smooth and flat are two different things. That wheel would have to be a hard surface or you will get waves. I would mount the knife vertical and do the cross sections first, then mount it horizontally to see of one pass eliminates the cross scratches. Then you know you are flat. Cool gadget though!

[@RedBeardOps]

It gets the job done! :)

[@kennith.]

Herbst knife-making academy youtube channel might be able to give you some ideas. He has a nice surface grind attachment

[@RedBeardOps]

I will check it out

[@robertmillard4408]

I wonder if those small electro magnets would be strong enough ? Or a good match You could at least turn it on and off Might be a better option for diy than permanent magnets

[@RedBeardOps]

Good thoughts Robert!

[@edwardlance2379]

Northridge doesn't show the magnetic chucks on their website....

[@RedBeardOps]

You have to send him an email for it. Cheers Edward

[@khalidelassad6612]

Hi can you tell me the size of magnet .thank you

[@RedBeardOps]

I think it's 2'' by around 12''

[@popo5413]

Hi could you please give me the specs for the magnetic chuck (I live in Australia) I would like to acquire one (if your contact knows of a supplier in Australia that would;d be great) thank you

[@RedBeardOps]

I got mine from here; you'll have to email them - www.northridgetool.com/

[@HH-cw1tl]

What kind of mill do you have

[@RedBeardOps]

Sieg X2D - I'd recommend getting the one from little machine shop.

[@wolfman75]

👍😎

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks!

[@aydnkarakisi4753]

Where can we buy a block magnet?

[@RedBeardOps]

Check the description for North Ridge Tool

[@OlegMychkin]

👌👍👍👍

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you!

[@grandpaallie1553]

The thing that surprised me the most is that, during this whole time, you hadn’t purchased 3” belts that would allow you to take full advantage of your having opted for the wider width in the first place. This isn’t necessarily a criticism, but rather a curious observation. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@RedBeardOps]

I do have some 3'' belts, but most of the knives I grind aren't wide enough to need one. It's nice not having a bunch of odd-ball size belts in the shop as well.

[@manr.9106]

Why didn’t you dowel everything that is screwed together? So you have always the same position whenever you disassemble the attachment for cleaning and servicing. Just 2 small (3-5mm) holes that you drill and ream clamped up together. That would have given you peace of mind in terms of precision and you wouldn’t need to worry about flattening the new magnetic chuck after every reassembly!

[@RedBeardOps]

Nice idea!

[@Art-md8jr]

Сколько стоит ?

[@RedBeardOps]

Здравствуйте. В настоящее время не продается. Спасибо!

[@jbaileyknives7282]

Lol. Shoutout to Indiana Jones was great.

[@RedBeardOps]

Glad you liked that Johnny! lol

[@goot776]

You turn off the magnet with a screw? Magic? Magic.

[@RedBeardOps]

I haven't told you yet... I'm a wizard, CG

[@dillanwade3525]

You should send me the old chuck

[@RedBeardOps]

Lol, you never know when you need a big ol magnet!

[@aleksastojanov4033]

Amazing build. If you wanted to save some money, you could get electromagnet or even make one yourself with some basic knowledge.

[@RedBeardOps]

Good idea aleksa!

[@MikeyMystery45]

The problem with these whole setups is the problem of acquiring the sander belts and all that. What a lot of us do have access to more commonly is handheld grinders. I wish someone could find a a way to use a grinder and be able to build a cheap guide or jig to allow the grinder to be used to shape the blade. I feel like it's possible and very within most people's budget but when you're talking about buying belts that cost a decent chunk of money and having to have access to welders and all that stuff it gets to the point where we might as well just buy a new unit or keep dreaming. I think that's the problem with most DIY videos. They're people with complete shops with everything they ever need and trying to explain how to build it with resources none of us broke asses have. Like show us how to build something for cheap or with something we can steal from a friend for a day and we'd be on board.

[@RedBeardOps]

I feel your pain Mikey!

[@FreeYourBrains]

Really nobody is gonna address the Elephant in the room ???? Really ??? Nice plug bro with the $350 price, I'll sell it to you for $325 after I buy it from Amazon for $194 or Ebay for $169.52. How many you want at $325??? Or should we pay for the difference because they etch their name on them ??? had more respect for you but now......

[@RedBeardOps]

Hey man, I don't get any proceeds from the chuck.... They sent it to me, I used it. Then I gave their product a shout out. It's been working well for me.

[@eddybarker5072]

If you can find that size permanent mag chuck on eBay or Amazon then let us know. I think it’s expensive as these were custom made unfortunately by Northridge for this application.

[@normalertyp7884]

You just talk too much. Is English so imprecise that you have to comment on every move?

[@RedBeardOps]

yes