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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

Public specs, 2025

2×72 grinder comparison.

Torus against Brodbeck, HouseMade, AmeriBrade, Burr King and Wuertz, feature by feature, from public specs.

Chart purpose

2×72 belt grinder comparison chart (2025)

Jump to the chart

Shopping for a 2×72 means comparing six or seven brands that all describe themselves the same way. This chart lines them up on the things that decide how a grinder feels in use: frame material, tracking, tilt, belt changes, motor options, attachments, price tier and where it is made. The information is based on publicly listed specifications from each manufacturer as of 2025, and I have kept my own machine to the same standard as everyone else’s.

Vertical to horizontal in four moves

Tilt is a row in the chart below, and on a Torus it is four moves with no tools: loosen the handle, pull the pin, swing the chassis over, pin it.

Tilts without tools

  1. Loosen the handle
  2. Pull the pin
  3. Swing the chassis from vertical to horizontal
  4. Pin it
  • tilt lock lever
  • 90-degree tilt on a pin

You go from grinding a bevel to a flat horizontal pass without opening the toolbox.

Values marked on the figure: vertical; horizontal.

The Nebula tilted to horizontal. Nebula, Nova and Classic all tilt and accept 1.5-inch tooling arms; the Steel closeout does too.

The chart

2×72 grinders, feature by feature

Scroll the chart sideways on a phone. The Torus column is mine.

See the Torus lineup
Frame, tracking, tilt, belt change, motor options, attachments, price tier, country of manufacture and ideal user for six 2x72 belt grinder brands, from published specifications in 2025.
Feature / BrandTorus CNC 2×72Brodbeck IronworksHouseMade RevolutionAmeriBrade 2×72Burr King 960/972Wuertz Machine Works TW90
Frame MaterialFiber-laser-cut aluminum or steel, CNC-machined trackingSteelSteel (diy welded)Steel/aluminum mixHeavy industrial steelSteel (precision welded)
Tracking SystemPrecision adjustableStandard adjustableStandardPrecision adjustableIndustrial-gradeDual-position tracking
Vertical/Horizontal TiltYesYes (optional)YesYes (optional kits)Vertical onlyYes (primary feature)
Tool-less Belt ChangeYesYesYesYesYesYes
Motor & VFD Options1 HP (120V) or 2 HP (220V) TechTop + KBAC-27DVarious optionsVFD optional1.5–2 hp options2 hp industrial2 hp with VFD
Modularity / AttachmentsHigh (growing ecosystem)HighMedium (Steel tube)HighIndustrial attachmentsHigh
Price Range (Typical)$$$$–$$$$–$$$$–$$$$$$$$$–$$$$
Made InUSAUSAUSAUSAUSAUSA
Ideal UserBeginner–ProSerious hobbyist–ProBeginner–HobbyistHobbyist–ProIndustrial / ProFull-time Pro

Price key

$
Most affordable
$$
Mid-range
$$$
Higher-end
$$$$
Professional

Nova and Nebula sit in the $$ tier: fully assembled and tested, with Nova’s 6061 aluminum or Nebula’s 3/8-inch steel chassis, stainless ratchet tensioner, 90-degree tilt.

Narrowing it down

Which Torus is built for you

Every Torus uses the same machined dual-axis tracking head. The Nova and Nebula add a 9x12-inch base and a taller frame that clears a longer motor at horizontal. All four tilt and accept 1.5-inch tooling arms.

Footprint and frame height

The Classic stands on a compact 9x9-inch base and clears a motor up to 12 inches long at horizontal; the Nova and Nebula stand on a 9x12-inch base with a taller frame.

Three machines, one decision.

  • ClassicMachined 6061 on a compact 9x9-inch base: tilting chassis, stainless ratchet tension, 1.5-inch arms. The machine that built the name.
  • Nova6061 aluminum with cross-bracing rods on the 9x12-inch base. Lighter to tilt and move, and corrosion resistant.
  • NebulaThe Nova in 3/8-inch steel. More mass, less vibration. Pick it if the grinder gets bolted down and stays there.

The Classic clears a motor up to 12 inches long when tilted to horizontal.

The Nova and Nebula stand on a 9x12-inch base with a taller frame that keeps a long motor off the bench at horizontal; the Classic runs a compact 9x9.

Values marked on the figure: 9x9-inch base; 9x12-inch base.

The Classic, Nova and Nebula side by side on an inch-ruled bench.

Steel

Nebula — for the maker who wants mass

Steel frame, 90-degree tilt, stainless ratchet tensioner. If you grind hard and often, or you want the machine to sit still under a heavy contact wheel, this is the one.
  • Steel chassis, vertical and horizontal grinding
  • Motor and VFD packages added at checkout
  • Small wheel set, work rest and 8-inch contact wheel available
  • Chassis from $1,295
Build your Nebula
Nebula 2x72 grinder, front three-quarter view: aluminum arm, black plate, Safety Rules label, on black with a purple glow

Aluminum

Nova — the aluminum one

Fiber-laser-cut 6061 aluminum. Stable 9x12-inch base, with a much lighter chassis. The dual-axis tracking head is machined on my HAAS VF-2. The Nova shares the Nebula's frame size, tilt and ratchet tensioner, and is the only Torus with a custom powder-coat option.
  • Precision fiber-laser-cut 6061 aluminum chassis
  • Custom powder coat available — allow 4 to 6 weeks
  • Takes every Torus attachment on a 1.5-inch tooling arm
  • Chassis from $1,295
Build your Nova
Nova aluminum 2x72 grinder with flat-platen tool arm and belt fitted, side view, on black with a purple glow

Classic

Classic — compact aluminum

The aluminum tilting chassis on a compact 9x9-inch base, $995. Same dual-axis tracking head as the Nova and the same 1.5-inch arms and attachments. It clears a motor up to 12 inches long at horizontal; the taller Nova frame takes a longer one.
  • Aluminum tilting chassis with flat platen
  • TechTop motor and KBAC-27D packages, 1 HP or 2 HP
  • Upgrades to the same attachments later
  • Chassis from $995
Build your Classic
Classic aluminum 2x72 grinder, side view with flat-platen tool arm and yellow Safety Rules label, on black with a purple glow

Still torn

Tell me what you grind.

Send me what you make, how often, and what you already own so I can review which grinder fits — including when the answer may be none of them.

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