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Nova aluminum 2x72 grinder with flat-platen tool arm and abrasive belt, three-quarter view, on black with a purple glow

2x72 belt grinders · Sterling, Illinois

I make grinders. You make knives.

Same bench, different end of it. I machine every part, assemble it, track the belt and run it before it goes in the box. From my shop to yours.

Shop the grindersSee how they stack up

01 · Which one

Three chassis, one head

Every Torus uses the same machined billet-aluminum dual-axis tracking head. All three tilt, take standard 1.5-inch tooling arms and use a 304 stainless ratchet tensioner. What changes is the chassis under it, so pick by the bench it will live on.

  • Nebula 2x72 grinder, front three-quarter view: aluminum arm, black plate, Safety Rules label, on black with a purple glow

    Nebula 2×72 Steel Belt Grinder

    The steel one. 3/8-inch plate, more mass, less vibration. Pick it when the grinder gets bolted down and works hard.

    Starts at$1,295View
  • Nova aluminum 2x72 grinder with flat-platen tool arm and belt fitted, side view, on black with a purple glow

    Nova 2×72 Aluminum Belt Grinder

    Fiber-laser-cut 6061 aluminum with the full dual-axis tracking head. Light enough to tilt all day, rigid enough to hog a bevel.

    Starts at$1,295View
  • Classic aluminum 2x72 grinder, side view with flat-platen tool arm and yellow Safety Rules label, on black with a purple glow

    Torus 2×72 Classic Aluminum Belt Grinder

    The compact 9x9-inch aluminum tilting chassis at $995. Same tracking head, same tensioner, same 1.5-inch arms, the shortest step up from a 1x30.

    Starts at$995View

One belt, four wheels, one pin

Every Torus runs one 2-inch by 72-inch belt over four wheels, and the whole head tilts 90 degrees on a pin with the belt still on it.

How the belt runs on a Torus 2x72

  • a 2-inch by 72-inch belt
  • 4-inch machined aluminum drive wheel with 5/8-inch keyed bore
  • machined billet-aluminum dual-axis tracking head
  • 304 stainless ratchet tensioner
  • Deep flat platen attachment on a 1.5-inch tooling arm
  • 90-degree tilt on a pin

A 72-inch belt runs cooler and lasts longer than a short one, a 2-inch face covers a full bevel, and a flat platen gives you a reference surface you can trust.

Every Torus uses the same machined billet-aluminum dual-axis tracking head. All three tilt, take standard 1.5-inch tooling arms and use a 304 stainless ratchet tensioner.

Values marked on the figure: vertical; horizontal; 72 in.

Shown on the Nova. Every Torus tilts on a pin the same way.
Pick the one for your benchThe shop

02 · What's different

Three things that matter on a 2x72

I designed every Torus around them from the start: how it is machined, how it tilts and how it tracks.

Held by a tooth, not a spring

A belt change is release, swap, ratchet, and once the belt is tight a tooth on the cam holds it there, not a spring that fades.

The 304 stainless ratchet tensioner

  1. Release
  2. Swap
  3. Ratchet
  • stainless tension arm
  • spring pawl
  • toothed cam
  • tracking wheel

Every Torus grinder ships with machined spacing built in and a 304 stainless ratchet tensioner, so a belt change is release, swap, ratchet.

A spring tensioner fades; a ratchet does not.

Tensioner and tracking wheel: one knob, one adjustment, no tools.

  • Machined, not bent

    The tracking head and platen mount are cut from solid stock on my HAAS VF-2. The platen sits flat, the arm pocket sits square, and nothing is bent to shape and hoped into alignment.

  • Tilts without tools

    Loosen the handle, pull the pin, swing the chassis from vertical to horizontal, pin it. You go from grinding a bevel to a flat horizontal pass without opening the toolbox.

  • Tracks with one knob

    The stainless ratchet tensioner sets belt pressure in one motion, and tracking takes one small, repeatable adjustment. A belt change takes seconds, not a re-setup.
Set it beside the other 2x72sThe comparison chart

03 · What bolts on

Swap the job, not the grinder

The arm-mounted attachments each ride their own 1.5-inch solid aluminum arm, so they drop straight into any Torus grinder and swap in seconds. The motor package and quench tools bolt on in their own way.

One arm per attachment. Swap in seconds.

  1. Deep flat platenFour inches of throat for deep slack-belt work.12-inch solid 1.5-inch aluminum tooling arm
  2. Adjustable work tableSet the angle once. Grind all day.1.5-inch aluminum tooling arm
  3. Small wheel attachmentReach the curves a platen never will.20-inch small wheel tooling arm, solid 1.5-inch aluminum
  4. Contact wheelPick the wheel that fits your curve.16.5-inch solid 1.5-inch aluminum tooling arm
  • Fits every Torus grinder and most 2×72s built around a 1.5-inch arm
  • two knobs lock each arm

The arm-mounted attachments each ride their own 1.5-inch solid aluminum arm, so they drop straight into any Torus grinder and swap in seconds.

Eligible attachments and wheels save 5% at 2 units, 10% at 3 units, 15% at 4 units, 20% at 5+ units. A grinder counts as one unit; only eligible parts are discounted.

Values marked on the figure: 5% at 2 units; 10% at 3 units; 15% at 4 units; 20% at 5+ units; 1/2 to 1.5-inch rubber small wheels.

The tool-arm receiver on a Nebula: two tubes, one above the other, and two knobs lock each arm. Belt attachments go in the top tube; the work table goes in the bottom one.
See every arm and attachmentArms and attachments

04 · Who says so

In their words, not mine

I could tell you the grinders are good. These are people who bought one, copied from Google word for word and linked back to where they wrote it.

Just received my aluminum grinder base kit and this grinder is legit. Every piece is machined so well. Not a single sharp edge to be found, other than where its intended to be. Solid as a rock.…

Read the whole review by Tom PadgettShow the short version of Tom Padgett’s review

Just received my aluminum grinder base kit and this grinder is legit. Every piece is machined so well. Not a single sharp edge to be found, other than where its intended to be. Solid as a rock. I've been using another professionally built 2x72 grinder for 7 years and its served me well but this is a whole other level of craftsmanship. Not to mention it was packaged better than anything I've ever received in my life. It would be difficult for any shipping service to damage it. 5/5, would 100% recommend.

5 out of 5 starsTom PadgettGoogle review by Tom Padgett (opens in a new tab)
Google and Etsy
5.0 Google and Etsy. Combined rating, read it on Google (opens in a new tab)
Combined rating, read it on Google
Buyer reviews
49 Buyer reviews. Read them on Etsy (opens in a new tab)
Read them on Etsy
Customers served
350+
Since 2020
Years machining
25+
CNC and design
  • 5 out of 5 stars

    I am a full time knifemaker and have worked for another knifemaker full time for years before i went on my own. I have used quite a few different grinders on the market and I believe these to be of the highest value on the market. They are smooth, stable, and punch way above their weight class.…

    Read the whole review by Will HutchinsonShow the short version of Will Hutchinson’s review

    I am a full time knifemaker and have worked for another knifemaker full time for years before i went on my own. I have used quite a few different grinders on the market and I believe these to be of the highest value on the market. They are smooth, stable, and punch way above their weight class. The ratcheting tensioning system rules and I will never go back to a spring tensioning system...

    Rich Provides the absolute best customer service. If you email or call him, he is the guy you will talk to. He will take care of you and make sure you have the products you want and need for your craft. He genuinely cares about the work he is producing and wants it to be of the highest quality...

    If you are an aspiring knifemaker or a seasoned pro looking to upgrade, build a relationship with Rich and his products. you wont be disappointed and it will pay dividends throughout your journey....

    Will HutchinsonGoogle review by Will Hutchinson (opens in a new tab)
  • 5 out of 5 stars

    I bought this sight unseen and was a little bit concerned that aluminum wouldn’t be as rigid and that the weight of the aluminum would make it not a sturdy. I have used TW 90s, brodbeck, ameribrade, Kmg as well as a couple others and the Torus is as good as the best of these and better than most at a fraction of the cost.…

    Read the whole review by aaron emmerichShow the short version of aaron emmerich’s review

    I am unbelievably impressed with my Torus grinder. The machining is immaculate and tolerances are crazy for a grinder. It tracks perfectly. I bought this sight unseen and was a little bit concerned that aluminum wouldn’t be as rigid and that the weight of the aluminum would make it not a sturdy. I have used TW 90s, brodbeck, ameribrade, Kmg as well as a couple others and the Torus is as good as the best of these and better than most at a fraction of the cost. The ratchet tensioning is awesome.

    Rich the owner has given me the best customer service of any company I’ve ever dealt with. The first time I reached out to him he responded back in 10 minutes at 10pm at night. Will always answer any questions I have and even changed the plug out pin the 220v to fit my dryer socket. On a scale of 10 I give torus a 11+. he said he’s working on a surface grinder attachment that I’m excited for.

    I want to reiterate. Anyone is concerned about aluminum, do not be. This thing is more rigid and vibrates less than any grinder i’ve used. The only grinder that seem to be as balanced is the Northridge (RIP). there are some grinders that are great for the price. This grinder is UNBELIEVABLE for the price and competitive with the tw-90/brodbeck/wilmont etc.

    I have no affiliation with Rich and was nervous buying this grinder as it’s not talked about much but it should be. I was ready to pull the trigger on an Ameribrade or brodbeck. I am glad I saved some money and know now I have a better machine.

    aaron emmerichGoogle review by aaron emmerich (opens in a new tab)
  • 5 out of 5 stars

    Just tested my new machine this morning and everything works perfectly straight out of the box. The build quality is very high and it tracks dead straight in forward and reverse without any adjustments between the two. Fantastic!

    Would definitely recommend the torus for anyone making knives or grinding on metal.

    Reuben FlaxGoogle review by Reuben Flax (opens in a new tab)
  • 5 out of 5 stars

    Just received my M90 belt grinder and WOW what a fantastic product! Great customer service and the price:quality ratio is outstanding. My grinder arrived FAST and securely packaged. I am extremely pleased with my purchase. Torus CNC has absolutely earned a repeat customer!

    BPGoogle review by BP (opens in a new tab)
  • 5 out of 5 stars

    I purchased the M90 about three weeks ago and finally got some time to put it to use. Throughout the buying process, Rich stayed in touch, answering questions and providing updates. The grinder even arrived a little sooner than expected; well packed and ready for use right out of the box.…

    Read the whole review by David WileyShow the short version of David Wiley’s review

    I purchased the M90 about three weeks ago and finally got some time to put it to use. Throughout the buying process, Rich stayed in touch, answering questions and providing updates. The grinder even arrived a little sooner than expected; well packed and ready for use right out of the box.

    Quality grinders aren’t cheap, and if you’re in the market for a 2x72, you’ve probably researched all the main contenders. Despite being lesser known than some, the M90’s fit and finish are top-notch, and the grinder represents an exceptional value.

    Rich was a pleasure to do business with, and I have absolutely no regrets purchasing the M90. Highly recommended. Five well-deserved stars.

    David WileyGoogle review by David Wiley (opens in a new tab)
  • 5 out of 5 stars

    But honestly, what made this purchase special was dealing with Rich. He was incredible - answered all my questions before I bought it, made sure I got the right setup, and followed up several times after it arrived to check how everything was running. You just don't get that kind of service anymore.…

    Read the whole review by Eric TorrieShow the short version of Eric Torrie’s review

    Got this belt grinder for our farm shop and it's been awesome. The machining quality really impressed me - everything fits tight and feels solid, you can tell they put real care into making it.

    Setup took maybe 20 minutes tops and it was ready to roll. Runs super smooth and quiet with basically no vibration. Even though it's aluminum, there's zero flex or rattling - feels rock solid even when you're really putting it to work.

    Love the tracking system and the ratchet belt tensioning - makes changing belts quick and painless. All the controls just make sense.

    But honestly, what made this purchase special was dealing with Rich. He was incredible - answered all my questions before I bought it, made sure I got the right setup, and followed up several times after it arrived to check how everything was running. You just don't get that kind of service anymore.

    First belt grinder we've owned and I'm really happy with it. Thing's built to last and performs great. Would definitely recommend it if you're looking for a solid grinder for your shop.

    Keep up the fantastic work Rich!

    Eric TorrieGoogle review by Eric Torrie (opens in a new tab)
See who answers after the saleSupport

05 · What you'll learn

The knifemaking reference I wish I had

Two hundred-plus guides, 33 steel data sheets, 61 side-by-side steel comparisons, eight calculators and a troubleshooting library. No sign-up, no paywall. It exists because the same questions kept landing in my inbox.

  • 3D figure: six 2x72 grinder price ranges as glowing bars on a dark price slab, a budget line lighting the Torus range purple
    Beginner Guides

    2×72 Belt Grinder Brands Compared: The Honest Field Guide

    Full disclosure, before anything else: this is Torus CNC’s site — we build three of the grinders compared below. Here’s how we’ve kept this honest: every competitor spec and price was verified from the maker’s own site or authorized retailers in July 2026 (linked in Sources), we say plainly where a competitor is the better…

    Read the guide
  • 3D figure: a glowing blade in a foil pouch clamped between two thick aluminum plates, pressure arrows above, air hose beside
    Heat Treat

    Plate Quenching Explained: Why Stainless Blades Get Squeezed, Not Dunked

    Somewhere in every stainless steel’s heat-treat sheet is a phrase that confuses first-time kiln owners: “plate quench.” No oil, no dramatic hiss — the blade comes out of the kiln in its foil pouch and gets squeezed between two thick aluminum plates until it’s cool. That gentle-sounding process is a genuine quench, it’s the standard…

    Read the guide
  • 3D figure: a chef knife profile over a board, and a thin and a thick blade slicing identical carrots to compare geometry
    Blade Design

    Kitchen Knife Geometry: Why Thin Behind the Edge Wins Dinner

    Kitchen knives are where blade geometry stops being theory and starts being dinner. A camp knife forgives a thick grind; a chef’s knife wedges apart a carrot and gets left in the drawer. The difference isn’t the steel and it isn’t even the sharpening — it’s geometry, and it’s why kitchen knives are simultaneously the…

    Read the guide

Open the steel database

From the bench

Notes from the shop

Grinder setup, belt progressions, business notes and the occasional closeout. Written between machining jobs, so it is short and it is specific.

Rich Linville in safety glasses drilling a bracket at the drill press in the Sterling shop
Whatever came up on the bench that week gets written up.
Classic aluminum grinder fitted with a motor and abrasive belt on the shop test stand
Belt Grinders2 min read

Torus Classic The $995 Proven Original

The Classic is my compact $995 aluminum 2x72. It now uses the same dual-axis tracking head as the Nova and Nebula, with a smaller footprint and a motor-clearance limit to check.

Nebula grinder in the horizontal position, showing its steel frame and aluminum platen assembly
Belt Grinders2 min read

Nova vs Nebula Same Machine, Two Metals

I build the Nova in 6061 aluminum and the Nebula in 3/8-inch steel. Both chassis cost $1,295 and share the same tracking, ratchet tensioner and tilt. Your shop decides the material.

Nebula steel grinder tilted horizontally, with the flat platen and aluminum wheels facing forward
Belt Grinders2 min read

Nebula 2x72 The Case for Mass

I build the Nebula from 3/8-inch steel for makers who want a heavier grinder on a permanent bench. It shares the Nova tracking, tensioning, tilt and $1,295 chassis price.

Read the blog
Search the whole libraryForgeBrain

06 · Who builds it

One machinist, bar stock to box

I am Rich Linville, and I have been machining for more than twenty-five years. Every grinder that leaves this shop was built, tested and boxed by the same person who answers the phone.

  1. A freshly machined aluminum grinder plate, still wet with coolant, on the HAAS mill table
    01

    I machine the parts

    Parts come off my HAAS VF-2. I hold the tolerances where they matter.

  2. A Torus Steel 2x72 chassis half-assembled on my bench, safety label on the top plate, wrenches and a machined plate beside it
    02

    I assemble it by hand

    Every machine crosses my bench, and mine are the only hands on it.

  3. A Torus Classic 2x72 on the test stand, belt running, motor wired to its VFD in an ammo can, dust hose attached
    03

    I track it and run it

    Belt on, motor up, tracking dialed in until the belt stays centered under load. If it does not run clean on my bench, it does not go in a box.

  4. Two finished Torus grinders boxed and taped with FRAGILE and HEAVY labels on the shop floor, ready to ship
    04

    I box it and ship it

    Packed the way I would want a $1,295 machine packed. Most orders leave in seven to ten business days from time of order. A more detailed delivery estimate will be given upon ordering your grinder. Custom powder coat adds four to six weeks.

Why the 2x72 shows up on Forged in Fire

Meet the machinistAbout

07 · Your build

Built for the blade you are making

The grinder is not the point. The bevel is. These machines are built for first-knife hobbyists, full-time bladesmiths, sharpeners and fabricators who want the same three things from a 2x72: repeatable tracking, a flat platen, and tooling arms that swap with the job. Hands busy, phone down, one problem at a time — a grinder that fights you spoils the very hours you bought it for.

Build your Nebula
  • Large aluminum contact wheel with black rubber rim and red belt, steel work table in front, on black with a purple glow
  • Nebula 2x72 grinder, front-left view: tension arm, flat platen with two wheels and black base, on black with a purple glow

  • Knifemakers and bladesmiths

    Flat platen for clean bevels, small wheel for plunges and finger choils, slack belt for convex grinds and finishing.

  • Sharpeners and farriers

    A VFD lets you crawl the belt for edges and heat-sensitive work, then open it up when you need to move steel.

  • Fabricators and shops

    Weld cleanup, deburring and radius work on a frame that does not walk across the floor.
Rich Linville in the Torus CNC shop with a finished 2x72 belt grinder

Next step

Tell me what you are building

Most people buying a 2x72 are betting on themselves. Send me the blade, the shop and the budget, and I will tell you which machine fits, even when the answer is the cheaper one. Call or text 1-779-372-0262, or email, and you hear back from the person who built it.

Ask Rich a questionBuild your Nova