Drill sizes for Pin Stock

We know it can be frustrating or confusing when trying to figure out what drill bit size to use when drilling your blades. Drilling an 1/8″ hole for a piece of 1/8″ pin stock is just a bit too tight, so here are the recommended drill bit sizes for your pin stock.

We have selected the drill sizes that match the most common pin stock such as stainless steel, brass or copper.

Size 52 – for 1/16 pin stock
Size 39 – for 3/32 pin stock
Size 30 – for 1/8 pin stock
Size F – for 1/4 pin stock
Size 11 – for 3/16 pin stock
Size V – for 3/9 pin stock
Size 11.2mm – for 7/16 pin stock

The drill bits and pin stock are available at Nexus Grinders and Knife Supply

Heat Treating Data

Enclosed is Heat Treating Data that you can read or download for later use. It convers Stainless Steel, High Carbon Steel and Tool Steel heat treating data.

NITRO-V HEAT TREAT

15N20 HEAT TREAT

80CRV2 HEAT TREAT

154-CM HEAT TREAT

416 HEAT TREAT

440C HEAT TREAT

1045 HEAT TREAT

1075 HEAT TREAT

1080 SQ HEAT TREAT

1084 HEAT TREAT

1095 HEAT TREAT

5160 HEAT TREAT

52100 HEAT TREAT

A-2 HEAT TREAT

AEB-L HEAT TREAT

CPM 3-V HEAT TREAT

CPM 154-CM HEAT TREAT

CPM D-2 HEAT TREAT

CPM M-4 HEAT TREAT

CPM S30-V HEAT TREAT

CPM S35-VN HEAT TREAT

D-2 HEAT TREAT

L-6 HEAT TREAT

O-1 HEAT TREAT

W-1 HEAT TREAT

W-2 HEAT TREAT

DOUBLE-CLAD HEAT TREAT

Documents are courtesy of NJSB.

Power in your shop 115 vs 220 volt

Now that you have picked the Nexus Grinder you want, you now need to figure out how to power the motor or VFD and motor. Below is some information to assist you in making some decisions based on power available in your garage or shop.

The single biggest factor is what power do you have available in your garage or shop? Most garages generally have limited circuits and most garage setups have 115 volt 15 Amp circuits to power the lights, a few plugs, garage door opener and maybe a central vacuum system. If you have the service panel or a sub-panel located in your garage or shop you will have more options available to you. If your service panel is located in the house, you may have limited access to run a new circuit into your garage.

*Note: the information provided, are only recommendations. You should always consult with a qualified electrician.

230 volt supply with 20 Amp breaker
If you have 230 volt supply in your garage or shop, you can easily run a 2 hp motor and a VFD. All you need is 20 Amp double pole breaker and 12/3 conductor wire from your panel to your VFD and motor. With 230 volts, you can use a KBAC-27D or KBAC-24D and 3 phase motors. If you choose to go with a single speed single phase 230 volt motor, you can run most motors up to 2 hp easily.

115 volt supply with 25 Amp breaker
If you have 115 volt 25 amp circuit in your garage or shop you are a little more limited. Here you can run a KBAC-27D with a 1 hp or 1.5 hp 3 phase motor. With a 115 volt supply, the KBAC-27D VFD draws maximum current of 22 amps and requires a 25 amp circuit breaker and 10/3 conductor wire from the panel to the VFD. You can also run a single speed single phase motors up to 2 hp (check the motor ratings).

115 volt supply with 20 Amp breaker
If you have 115 volt 20 amp circuit in your garage or shop you are a little more limited. Here you can run a KBAC-24D with a 1 hp 3 phase motor. With a 115 volt supply, the KBAC-24D VFD draws maximum current of 14.4 amps and requires a 20 amp circuit breaker and 12/3 conductor wire from the panel to the VFD. You can also run single speed single phase motors up to 1.5 hp (check the motor ratings). Please note that single phase motors draw the most amperage during the initial startup.

115 volt supply with a 15 Amp breaker
The 115 volt setup is the most common in most garages. For the KBAC-24D, KB Electronics recommends using a 20 amp breaker. KB Electronics technical help desk has stated that the KBAC-24D can operate on a 115 volt 15 amp circuit. They recommend starting the drive at a slower RPM and then increasing to reduce the amperage draw on startup. You should research what circuits you have available in your garage and determine if anything else is running on that same circuit before proceeding. I would highly recommend using a 20 amp circuit.
Another other option would be to run a single speed 3600 RPM single phase motor on a 15 Amp circuit.  Most single phase 1 hp motors draw a maximum of 13 Amps.  A 1.5 hp single phase motors draw a maximum of 14.5 Amps.   Please note that single phase motors draw the most amperage during the initial startup.

Make sure you have the required power supply and circuit(s) with the applicable rated single or double pole breaker and conductor wire available to run the motor or VFD and motor. Please see the KBAC Table 4 Electrical rating chart for more information. Please check the motor information plate for the electrical ratings to ensure the motor you use is rated for the breaker and conductor wire.

Warning:
Working on electrical circuits or incorrectly connecting electrical equipment can be extremely hazardous. Please consult with qualified electrician and qualified personnel if you are unsure how to make safe electrical connections.  Electrical connections should meet or exceed National, Provincial, and local electrical codes. Always refer to the manufacture’s manuals and installation instructions. You may need permits if you are making changes or adding circuits to your electrical panel. Please check with your local authorities before starting any electrical connections.

How to choose the best sanding belt for your grinder?

There are 4 major categories of abrasive sanding belt material that are most common. These are, Aluminum Oxide, Zirconia (aka as Zirconia Alumina), Silicon Carbide and Ceramic.

Aluminum Oxide
Aluminum Oxide is a very common and relatively cheap belt available to purchase. Aluminum oxide works well on hard and soft woods, non-ferrous metals like aluminum and even on most grades of steel.

Zirconia
Zirconia is a man-made material and is very hard and works well in applications where high heat ocurrs from sanding hard materials especially in heavy removal applications. Zirconia is used for rough sanding or shaping of steel and stainless steel.

Silicon Carbide
Silicon Carbide is sharp and brittle. Most commonly found on wet & dry sanding sheets, Silicon Carbide is used for sanding glass, plastic, ceramic. It is also very popular in the very high grits for fine finishing on both metal.

Ceramic
Ceramic belts are a specially heat-treated aluminum oxide grain that is extremely hard. Although ceramic is more expensive to purchase, it last longer that Aluminum Oxide belts. Ceramic belts work really well to shape and in grinding hard metals such as Stainless Steel and Tool Steel. VSM Ceramic Plus belts are made in Canada and are great for knife makers.  Most Ceramic belts are in the lower grits 36 to 120 are the most commonly used.

Grit

  • Grits 16, 24, 36, 40, 50 & 60 are for material removal and rough shaping.
  • Grits 80, 100 & 120 are for smoothing surfaces and removing imperfections.
  • Grits 150, 180, 220, 240, 320, 400, 400, 600 and 800 and up are for final finishing.

Backing Material
There are 2 categories of backing material for sanding belts. They are paper backing and cloth backing.

Paper Backing
Paper backing is typically about 25% cheaper than cloth backed belts. The weight of the paper belt is identified by a letter. Belts are typically either “E-Weight” or “F-Weight”.

Cloth Backing
Cloth backing is the most durable and versatile backing material for sanding belts. The weight of the paper belt is identified by a letter.  The further into the alphabet you go, the heavier the backing material.

J-Weight is a light, flexible cloth backing that is suitable for applications where you are sanding over contours.
X-Weight is a medium weight backing that is good for general purpose use.
Y-Weight is a heavy duty backing with the most strength to withstand the pressure of heavy sanding and product removal.

Wet and Dry sand paper
We also sell sheets of Wet and Dry sand paper in starter packs. These VSM Wet Dry sheets are great for hand sanding your metal.

For more information, please see Nexus Grinders or VSM Abrasives Canada.

Variable Frequency Drive – KBAC AC Drive

KB Electronics KBAC AC Drive

Nexus Grinders and Knife Supply is an authorized Canadian re-seller of KB Electronic Variable Frequency Drives. We ship only within Canada.

Variable Frequency Drives are commonly referred to as VFD’s. KB’s AC drives provide variable speed for 3ph AC Induction motors. If you want to use a VFD, you must use a 3-phase motor. You can’t use a single-phase motor on the industry standard VFD’s that most knife makers use for grinders. VFD’s convert single phase 115 or 230 volt inputs into 3-phase outputs to the motor. VFD’s control speed and also allow you to use forward and reverse settings with an optional switch.

You can’t use a motor that is rated higher than the VFD rating. You can use a higher rated VFD with a lower rated motor. So you can use a 2 horsepower VFD (KBAC-27d) with a 1 hp to 2 hp – 3 phase motors. You should not use a 1 horsepower VFD (KBAC-24d) with a 1.5 hp or 2 hp – 3 phase motor.

The three drives listed below are generally used for 1 to 3 HP – 3 phase motors.
* The KBAC -24D is recommended for 1.0 HP – 3 phase motors.
* The KBAC -27D is recommended for 1.0 HP, 1.5 HP & 2 HP – 3 phase motors, but most commonly used for 1.5 and 2 hp – 3 phase motors.
* The KBAC -29(1P) is recommended for 2.0 HP & 3 HP – 3 phase motors.

KBAC Hybrid Drive™ – NEMA 4X / IP65
The KBAC Series of Adjustable Frequency Drives consist of six inverter models rated for 1/8 to 5 horsepower motors. These drives are housed in heavy duty NEMA 4X / IP 65 die-cast aluminum washdown/watertight enclosures for indoor or outdoor use. Hybrid drives are a digital drive with an analog interface.  Warranty is 18 months from date of purchase.

Options available are:
On/Off AC Line Switch, Forward-Stop-Reverse Switch, Run-Stop-Jog Switch and Strain Relief Fittings.

Data Sheet
Manual 

If you are looking for other KB Electronic Drives such as the KBAC-29(1P) or have questions on KB Electronic drives, please contact Nexus Grinders. We also sell 3 phase motors for your VFD too.