Skip to main content

Arms and Attachments

Contact Wheel Attachment with 1.5″ Aluminum Tooling Arm (8″ to 14″)

  • Grinder with a serrated rubber contact wheel, gas-spring tensioner and drive wheel, no belt, on black with a purple glow
  • Serrated rubber contact wheel with aluminum hub and bearing on a square tooling arm, side view, on black with a purple glow
  • Grinder with a large aluminum contact wheel on a square tool arm, belt on, black motor behind, on black with a purple glow

3 shop photos · swipe or pick a thumbnail

Starts at$239

Available to ordermost orders ship in 7–10 business days

An 8, 10, 12 or 14-inch contact wheel, 2 inches wide, on a 16.5-inch solid aluminum tooling arm. Tight hollow grinds on the small end, fast stock removal and long sweeping curves on the big end.

Build your setup

Configure your contact wheel

Wheel Size
Pairs well withOptional

Bundle savings

Add a second piece and save 5% on both.

Quantity

$239 each

Your total
$239
  • Ships in 7–10 business days
  • 2-year warranty
  • Secure checkout by Stripe

  • Shipping

    $95 a grinder, $145 with a motor, $35 the first accessory — capped at $145. Tracking number emailed the day it ships.

  • Free local pickup

    1741 Industrial Drive Unit #8, Sterling, IL 61081. Email me to set a time, Mon–Fri 9:00am–4:00pm Central.

  • 2-year warranty

    Covers non-wear parts against defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.

  • Questions before you buy?

    Call or text 1-779-372-0262 or email me. You get the person who built it.

Google reviews

What owners say

Straight from Google, word for word. The ones about this kind of part come first.

  • 5 out of 5 stars

    It accepts 1.5 inch tooling arms making it universal for and attachment you can get on the market.…

    Read the whole review by Dave WShow the short version of Dave W’s review

    Quality , performance and a work of art all rolled into one. I was shopping around for a new 2x72 grinder when I stumbled upon Torus CNC website and after taking a look at what they’re offering I couldn’t say no. I purchased the M-90-AL - 2 x 72 - Tilting Belt Grinder without hesitation and I couldn’t be happier with this grinder. It has all the feature you’ll get on any modern 2x72 (tilt function included). It accepts 1.5 inch tooling arms making it universal for and attachment you can get on the market. Every single part of it was cnc machined to perfection. There were no burs/ hard edges and everything is fit and finished so well that it ought to make even a machinist blush when they unbox it. Mine came fully assembled. All I had to do was mount the motor and a contact wheel and I was making sparks. The platen I’m using on it though is an ORIGIN that I bought off eBay many years ago and I was concerned that it wouldn’t work well on this grinder because the main body is approx 1/2 thick but to my surprise there were zero belt alignment issues using another makers platen. I didn’t have to add a single spacer or do any milling to the mating surface to get it to work. I did however drill and tap 2 new holes in the tooling arm I bought with it for it to mount up but that’s nothing. Because it works in harmony with the rest of the grinder after installed .I even recycled an older drive wheel without issues.When buying this I was given the option of his ratcheting tensioner system so I chose that option , and I gotta say ….this is so professionally done my jaw dropped just looking at it before a belt even went on this grinder. The ratcheting system is a bit of a learning curve since my other grinder uses gas shocks but after having experiences this ratcheting system I just can’t go back to a grinder with spring or shock tensioning. I absolutely love it. And I believe that adds to why this thing has such good tracking because it’s giving me the perfect tensioning I wasn’t getting from my other grinder .it really tracks like a dream! I put a 1.5 hp 3500 rpm motor on mine and I can really lean into when grinding and I can’t get the belt to slip off to the side like I can another grinder. The tilt function is as beautifully done as it is functional. It takes all of 2 seconds to unlock this grinder and tilt it over on the side. And I’m back to grinding. The pictures of this grinder on Torus CNC website just don’t do it justice. This thing is a real cnc work of art. I’ve caught myself just starting at it since it’s been in my shop lol. My only regret was that my budget only allowed me to buy one of these grinders. In the future I’d like to get another. And even the variable speed option.All in all this grinder exceeded my expectation by a long mile and I have no regrets whatsoever. Anyone reading this and is considering adding this grinder to their arsenal you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how friendly and communicative Torus can be if you shoot them an email with any questions or inquiries. Well , I think that just about sums it up so I’m out of here. Thanks for reading.

    Dave WGoogle review by Dave W (opens in a new tab)
  • 5 out of 5 stars

    he said he’s working on a surface grinder attachment that I’m excited for.…

    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

    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.…

    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)

Why this one

Pick the wheel that fits your curve.

  • Choose 8, 10, 12 or 14-inch diameter, all 2 inches wide

  • 16.5-inch tooling arm machined from solid 1.5-inch aluminum

  • Fits every Torus grinder and most 2×72s built around a 1.5-inch arm

Wheel size sets the hollow

A contact wheel grinds a hollow with its own radius, so across the same bevel the 8-inch leaves the deepest hollow and the 14-inch the shallowest.

Pick the wheel that fits your curve.

  1. 8 InchTight curves and detailed shaping. The knifemaker’s workhorse for hollow grinding kitchen and hunting blades and for profiling small blanks.
  2. 10 InchA balance of control and surface area. Good if you mix fine work with heavier grinding.
  3. 12 InchMore material removal and a gentler hollow. Larger blades, thicker stock, axe bits.
  4. 14 InchThe most surface and the shallowest hollow. Long blades, full hollow straight razors, big fabrication curves.
  • Contact wheel in the diameter you choose, 2 inches wide
  • 16.5-inch solid 1.5-inch aluminum tooling arm
  • Hollow GrindA concave bevel, ground with a curved contact wheel rather than a flat platen.

Tight hollow grinds on the small end, fast stock removal and long sweeping curves on the big end.

Diameter sets the hollow. Pick the curve you want.

Who it's for

Built for the work you actually do

Kitchen knife makers hollow grinding on an 8 or 10, axe makers and fabricators shaping on a 12, straight razor makers running a 14. If your blades have hollows or your work has sweeping curves, this is the attachment.

What’s in the box

  • Contact wheel in the diameter you choose, 2 inches wide
  • 16.5-inch solid 1.5-inch aluminum tooling arm
  • Grinder shown in photos is not included
Large aluminum contact wheel with black rubber rim and red belt, steel work table in front, on black with a purple glow

Specs

Product specifications and dimensions

Base price
$239 before options
Wheel Size
8 Inch · 10 Inch · 12 Inch · 14 Inch
Availability
Available to order
Lead time
Most orders ship in 7–10 business days from time of order
Ships from
1741 Industrial Drive Unit #8, Sterling, Illinois
Shop
Torus CNC — Sterling, Illinois, USA

Options

Choose and compare product options

Compare motor packages, attachments and finish choices before ordering.

  • 8-inch wheel ($239)

    Tight curves and detailed shaping. The knifemaker’s workhorse for hollow grinding kitchen and hunting blades and for profiling small blanks.
  • 10-inch wheel (+$50)

    A balance of control and surface area. Good if you mix fine work with heavier grinding.
  • 12-inch wheel (+$90)

    More material removal and a gentler hollow. Larger blades, thicker stock, axe bits.
  • 14-inch wheel (+$150)

    The most surface and the shallowest hollow. Long blades, full hollow straight razors, big fabrication curves.

Before you order

Shipping, warranty and returns

  • Shipping and lead time

    In-stock attachments usually ship from Sterling, Illinois in seven to ten business days from time of order, with a tracking number the day they go out. A more detailed delivery estimate will be given when you order. Returns are case by case: contact me first, within two weeks of arrival. Approved returns carry a 25% restocking fee and the buyer covers insured return shipping. Ground shipping in the lower 48: $95 a grinder, $145 with a motor package, $75 a motor on its own, and $35 for the first accessory plus $15 each after. A grinder with a motor and any accessories is capped at $145.
  • Warranty

    I warranty the non-wear parts against defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. Motors and VFDs carry their manufacturer's warranty; contact me for guidance on the manufacturer's claim process.
  • Returns

    Returns are reviewed case by case and must be pre-approved within two weeks of arrival. The buyer covers insured return shipping, a 25% restocking fee applies, and original shipping is not refunded.

Straight answers

Questions I get about the contact wheel

Which size should I start with?
For general knifemaking, the 8-inch. It hollow grinds kitchen and hunting blades and profiles blanks without wasting steel. Add a 12 or 14 later if you move into axes, swords or razors.
Is the grinder included?
No. The photos show the wheel mounted on a Torus grinder for reference. This listing is the contact wheel and its arm only.
Will it fit my grinder?
Fits the Nova, Nebula, Classic and Steel closeout, and most other 2×72 grinders built around an industry-standard 1.5-inch square tooling arm. If you are not sure about yours, email me the arm size and I will tell you.
How fast does it ship?
In-stock attachments usually ship from my shop in Sterling, Illinois in seven to ten business days from time of order. A more detailed delivery estimate will be given when you order. You get a tracking number the day it goes out.
Can I return it if it does not work for me?
Email me first, within two weeks of arrival. Returns are approved case by case, carry a 25% restocking fee, and you cover insured return shipping. If there is a workmanship problem, I will work with you to remedy it.

Goes with it

The grinders this was built for

Standard 1.5-inch tooling arms fit all four Torus grinders.

  • 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 original Torus design, still $995.

    Starts at$995View

ForgeBrain

Read this before you build

Free knifemaking guides from the same bench, organized by the work at the grinder.

2x72 abrasive belts in graduated grits on the shop wall
Abrasives

Contact Wheels Explained: Diameter, Durometer & the Hollow Grind

A contact wheel is a simple promise — a perfectly round, rubber-faced reference — that unlocks a whole family of grinds the platen cannot touch. Two numbers define every wheel: diameter and durometer. Learn what each buys and the catalog stops being confusing. DIAMETER: THE RADIUS YOU GRIND The wheel’s radius prints into the blade…

Read the guide
2x72 abrasive belts in graduated grits on the shop wall
Abrasives

The Small Wheel Attachment: Grinding the Impossible Curves

Every maker hits the same wall: the blade needs a curve the platen cannot reach — a finger choil, a fuller, the inside sweep of a recurve, the throat of a hawk’s beard. The small wheel attachment is the answer to all of them: interchangeable wheels down to fingertip sizes, running the same belt, reaching…

Read the guide

One-man shop

Tell me what you're building

I answer my own email and build Torus grinders in this shop. If you are not sure which setup fits your work, ask me before you order.