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Belt Grinders and Motors

Torus 2×72 Classic Aluminum Belt Grinder

  • Classic aluminum 2x72 grinder, side view with flat-platen tool arm and yellow Safety Rules label, on black with a purple glow
  • Classic grinder base upright with engraved Torus CNC logo, black cam lever and knob, close-up, on black with a purple glow
  • Classic grinder tracking block with star knob and a wide aluminum idler wheel, close-up, on black with a purple glow
  • Classic grinder tension lever with spring and ratchet teeth beside the idler wheel, close-up, on black with a purple glow
  • Classic aluminum 2x72 grinder from the rear: four star knobs, motor-mount plate, base bar, on black with a purple glow
  • Classic aluminum 2x72 grinder, straight side view: D-shaped platen arm left, motor plate right, on black with a purple glow

6 shop photos · swipe or pick a thumbnail

Starts at$995

5 built and on the shelfships in 7–10 business days

A machined 6061 aluminum 2×72 with stainless ratchet tensioning and a tilting chassis, on a compact 9×9-inch base. The same dual-axis tracking head, tilt and 1.5-inch tooling arms as the Nova and Nebula. $995, assembled and tested.

Build your setup

Configure your Classic

Motor / VFD
Add accessoriesOptional

Bundle savings

Add any attachment and save 5% on it.

Your total
$995
  • 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. Motors and VFDs carry their manufacturer's warranty; I will help you through a claim.

  • 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

    Anyone is concerned about aluminum, do not be. This thing is more rigid and vibrates less than any grinder i’ve used.…

    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)
  • 5 out of 5 stars

    I decided to use Taurus CNC because almost everything is made from high quality aluminum. That means no rust! I’m using a misting system that gets water everywhere.…

    Read the whole review by victor schmidtShow the short version of victor schmidt’s review

    Super Happy for deciding to purchase my first professional quality 2 x 72 belt grinder from Torus CNC. The owner Rich Answered all my questions and fast and he stayed in contact with me assuring everything went smoothly. I decided to use Taurus CNC because almost everything is made from high quality aluminum. That means no rust! I’m using a misting system that gets water everywhere. The set up took 20 minutes literally. Everything came preassembled and very well packaged. If you’re thinking about buying a new professional belt grinder for knife making or custom fab work this is the spot you won’t be disappointed.

    victor schmidtGoogle review by victor schmidt (opens in a new tab)

Why this one

The original Torus design, still $995.

  • Machined 6061 aluminum chassis with stainless, plated Grade 8 and alloy shoulder-bolt hardware

  • 304 stainless ratchet belt tensioner and a 90-degree tilt: loosen the handle, pull the pin

  • Standard 1.5-inch tooling arms, deep slack platen and 4-inch drive wheel included

Vertical to horizontal in four moves

The Classic tilts 90 degrees on a pin, so going from a bevel to a flat horizontal pass takes four moves and no tools.

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.

Every Torus tilts the same way, with a handle and a pin.

Who it's for

Built for the work you actually do

First-time 2×72 buyers who want a real machine at $995, sharpeners building a service around one grinder, and makers working on a tight bench. The Classic is the original Torus aluminum design on a compact 9×9-inch base, with horizontal tilt, the same dual-axis tracking head as the Nova, and standard 1.5-inch tooling-arm compatibility.

What’s in the box

  • Fully assembled and shop-tested Classic chassis in machined 6061 aluminum
  • Deep slack platen attachment on a 1.5-inch tooling arm
  • 4-inch machined aluminum drive wheel
  • 304 stainless ratchet belt tensioner, tracked and tested
  • Motor and VFD sold separately, or add a combo at checkout

Belt changes: release, swap, ratchet

I use a 304 stainless ratchet instead of a spring: each tooth of the cam holds the tracking wheel a step further out, and the pawl keeps it there.

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.

A belt change on the Classic, one tooth at a time.

Specs

Product specifications and dimensions

Base price
$995 before options
Motor / VFD
No Motor Package · 1 HP TechTop + KBAC-27D VFD (120V) · 2 HP TechTop + KBAC-27D VFD (220V)
Add accessories
Small wheel attachment · Small wheel starter set: attachment plus 1/2, 3/4 and 1-inch wheels · Adjustable work table 6x16 · 8-inch contact wheel attachment
Availability
5 built and on the shelf
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

Tracking is one knob

Tracking is one small, repeatable adjustment at the 4-lobe knob on the machined billet-aluminum head, the same head on every Torus.

Tracks with one knob

  • 4-lobe tracking knob
  • machined billet-aluminum dual-axis tracking head
  • wide aluminum idler wheel

The stainless ratchet tensioner sets belt pressure in one motion, and tracking takes one small, repeatable adjustment.

The dual-axis tracking head end on, with the belt on the wide idler wheel.

Options

Choose and compare product options

Compare motor packages, attachments and finish choices before ordering.

  • No motor package ($0)

    The bare chassis. Choose this if you already have a 56C face-mount motor and VFD, or if you are sourcing your own.
  • 1 HP TechTop with KBAC-27D VFD, 120V (+$1,195)

    A TechTop TEFC 3,600 RPM 56C face-mount motor paired with a KB Electronics KBAC-27D drive. The KBAC is a sealed NEMA-4X unit built for shop dust and grit, with the speed dial and the forward/off/reverse switch right on the face, and it arrives programmed for the motor it ships with. Runs on a standard 120V household circuit. You finish the cord and plug wiring with the supplied guide.
  • 2 HP TechTop with KBAC-27D VFD, 220V (+$1,245)

    The same sealed KBAC-27D drive with twice the motor. It needs a 220V single-phase circuit. Take it for heavy stock removal, forge scale and all-day production work; the extra torque is what keeps the belt from bogging in a hard push.
  • Small wheel attachment ($289)

    Start with the arm and holder and choose the rubber wheel sizes you need.
  • Small wheel starter set ($469 at list price)

    The attachment plus 1/2, 3/4 and 1-inch rubber wheels. 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.
  • Adjustable work table 6x16 ($275)

    A tilting steel work table on its own arm for repeatable bevel angles.
  • 8-inch contact wheel attachment ($239)

    For hollow grinds and profiling. Larger diameters are available on its own product page.
A Torus Classic 2x72 on the test stand with the belt tracking and the motor wired to its VFD
Every Classic is tracked and run under a belt before it ships.

Before you order

Shipping, warranty and returns

  • Shipping and lead time

    Built to order in Sterling, Illinois. Most orders ship in seven to ten business days from time of order; add-ons can take longer. A more detailed delivery estimate will be given upon ordering your grinder. Tracking number on the day it ships. Non-wear parts are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship under normal use; returns are case by case, within two weeks of arrival, with a 25% restocking fee. 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 Classic

What comes with the Classic package?
The $995 buys the grinder itself, fully assembled and shop-tested: the machined 6061 aluminum chassis, a deep slack platen attachment on a 1.5-inch tooling arm, a 4-inch machined aluminum drive wheel, and the 304 stainless ratchet tensioner, tracked and tested. A motor and VFD are not in that price — add a TechTop motor and KBAC-27D package at checkout, $1,195 for the 1 HP on 120V or $1,245 for the 2 HP on 220V, or run your own 56C face-mount motor. Belts and attachments are separate.
What is the difference between the Classic and the Nova?
Both are 6061 aluminum with a stainless ratchet tensioner, a tilting chassis and the same machined billet dual-axis tracking head. The Nova adds a 9×12-inch base instead of the Classic's 9×9, cross-bracing rods, and a taller frame: the Classic clears a motor up to 12 inches long at horizontal, the Nova takes a longer one. That is the $300.
Do I need to buy a motor separately?
The base price is the assembled chassis without a motor. Add a 1 HP or 2 HP motor and VFD package at checkout; the VFD arrives programmed and mounted, and you finish the cord and plug wiring with the supplied guide. Or supply your own 56C face-mount motor and VFD.
How long until it ships?
Most orders ship in seven to ten business days from time of order. A more detailed delivery estimate will be given upon ordering your grinder. If you add accessories or I am backlogged, it can run longer.
Will my existing attachments fit?
Yes, if they run on an industry-standard 1.5-inch square tooling arm. Platens, contact wheels, small wheel arms and work rests from most makers drop right in.
Can I pick it up instead of shipping?
Yes. Choose local pickup at checkout and collect it at 1741 Industrial Drive Unit #8, Sterling, IL 61081, Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Email or text me first so I have it ready.

Goes with it

The attachments that earn their keep

Each one fits all four Torus grinders, and every piece in the same order counts toward the bundle discount.

ForgeBrain

Read this before you build

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

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Beginner Guides

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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.