Nova 2x72 Maximum Machine, Less Weight

I build the Nova for makers who need a full 2x72 belt grinder without the extra weight of a steel chassis. Its 6061 aluminum frame carries the same dual-axis tracking, stainless ratchet tensioner and 90-degree tilt as the Nebula. The difference is what you have to move when your shop changes around you.

What the Nova includes

The Nova chassis is $1,395, fully assembled and tested in my Sterling, Illinois shop. That includes a deep flat platen on a 1.5-inch tooling arm, a 4-inch machined aluminum drive wheel, the tracking assembly and the ratchet tensioner. The motor and VFD are separate. I run and track each grinder before I box it.

Lighter in a shared shop

A garage shop often has to make room for something else. A bench gets moved, tools get packed for a class, or a grinder changes stations. The Nova's aluminum frame makes those moves easier than the steel Nebula. It still needs a firm bench and secure mounting when you grind. Lower weight helps with handling; it does not replace a sound setup.

Where the rigidity comes from

The Nova frame is fiber-laser cut from 6061 aluminum and tied together with 1/2-inch cross-bracing rods. Those rods connect the frame sections and help resist flex under grinding pressure. Aluminum is also corrosion resistant, a useful trait in a humid garage. Keep the whole machine clean and maintained; an aluminum chassis does not make bearings or hardware maintenance-free.

I machine the billet-aluminum dual-axis tracking head on my HAAS. It is the same head I use on the Nebula and the Classic. The 304 stainless ratchet tensioner gives you consistent belt tension without relying on a spring. Those are working parts, and they matter more than a claim that a machine never needs attention.

Tilt and speed for the job

The chassis tilts from vertical to horizontal through 90 degrees. Loosen the handle, pull the pin, swing the machine and pin it in place. Standard 1.5-inch tooling arms let you change between compatible Torus attachments. Check the fit of an attachment from another maker before buying; a shared arm size does not guarantee every accessory fits.

Choose the motor package for the power you have in the shop. My TechTop and KBAC-27D packages are $1,295 for 1 HP on 120V or $1,395 for 2 HP on 220V. The drive arrives programmed for the motor; you finish the cord and plug wiring with the supplied guide. My motor and VFD guide explains that choice.

When steel makes more sense

If the grinder will stay bolted to one bench and you want more mass, read my case for the Nebula. The Nova chassis costs $1,395 and the Nebula costs $1,495. My Nova and Nebula comparison puts the material choice beside the features they share. The Nova suits the maker who values easier handling and frequent tilting.

Build your Nova with the motor and attachments your work needs.