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Techtop motor and KB Genesis KBAC variable-speed drive with its power cord, top-down view, on black with a purple glow

Motors and VFDs

Motor and VFD packages for 2x72 grinders.

The VFD is where most first grinder builds stall. Mine arrives programmed for the motor it ships with, in a sealed KBAC-27D housing that keeps grinding dust out: mount the motor, complete the cord and plug wiring with the supplied guide, then turn the dial. Variable speed without parameter tables or guessing which of 200 settings matters.

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  • Techtop motor and KB Genesis KBAC variable-speed drive with its power cord, top-down view, on black with a purple glow

    Variable-Speed Motor & VFD Combo for 2×72 Belt Grinders

    TechTop TEFC 3,600 RPM motor with a sealed KBAC-27D drive, programmed and ready. 1 HP for $1,195 or 2 HP for $1,245.

    Starts at$1,195View

If you are considering a 2x72 grinder for Rich, don’t hesitate he makes an awesome machine. Fit, finish, easy to use, completely assembled right out of the box. I recommend Vert model with 2HP VFD. He takes pride in his work and it shows.

5 out of 5 starsBlake JurenaGoogle review by Blake Jurena (opens in a new tab)

What matters here

Why it is built this way

  • 1 HP or 2 HP

    1 HP on 120V for a standard garage circuit at $1,195, or 2 HP on 220V at $1,245 when you have the outlet. TechTop motors on both.

  • Programmed before it ships

    The KBAC-27D is programmed for the motor it comes with, in a sealed NEMA-4X housing. You finish the cord and plug wiring with the supplied guide.

  • Fits every Torus

    Standard 56C frame, 3,600 RPM TEFC TechTop. Bolt it to any Torus 2x72 or add it to a grinder order at checkout.

What the dial does to belt speed

The drive dial sets motor speed up to the 3,600 RPM nameplate, and the drive wheel turns that into belt speed: pi times the wheel diameter times RPM, divided by 12.

Torque or speed. Your call.

  • 4-inch drive wheelSlower belt speed and more torque. Better control for sharpening, finishing and tough steels, and less likely to bog when you lean in. This is the wheel that ships on every Torus grinder.
  • 7-inch drive wheelFaster belt speed for rapid stock removal on big blades and heavy shaping. It may bog under a heavy load with a smaller motor, and it gives up some fine control.
  • Keyed 5/8-inch bore
  • TechTop TEFC 3,600 RPM 56C face-mount motor

Belt speed (SFPM) = (pi x drive wheel diameter in inches x effective RPM) / 12

4-inch for torque and control, 7-inch for about 75% more belt speed. Both keyed 5/8-inch.

Assumes the drive wheel runs straight off the motor shaft at 1:1. Step pulleys or a gearbox shift the answer by their ratio.

Values marked on the figure: SFPM; SFPM; RPM.

The KBAC-27D, programmed and sealed. The dial on the face is the only control you need.

Questions

Before you order

Read shipping and returns
1 HP or 2 HP?

Choose 1 HP for 120V service. Choose 2 HP if you have the required 220V circuit and want more power for heavier stock removal. Confirm your circuit requirements before ordering. Both give you full variable speed.

Can I wire my own VFD instead?

Yes, and if you want to, the budget motor and VFD page lists the parts I would buy and the wiring guide walks through the cable and plugs.

Does it come with the grinder?

Only if you add it. Grinder prices are for the chassis; the motor package is an option on every grinder page, or you can buy it on its own here.

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An open KBAC-27D drive enclosure showing the circuit board and wiring

Get it running

Skip the VFD manual.

Add the motor package to a grinder and the VFD arrives programmed and mounted. Complete the cord and plug wiring with the supplied guide before startup. If you would rather build your own, the wiring guide covers that too.

Build your NovaRead the wiring guide