Choosing the Right Motor Size

Selecting the right motor for your 2x72 belt grinder setup is a crucial step in getting the performance and control you need—whether you're just getting started or outfitting a professional fabrication shop. Fortunately, Diktator Grinders chassis are compatible with a range of motor options to suit different workflows and budgets.

Recommended Motor Sizes
For most users, a motor rated at 1 HP to 2 HP will provide ideal performance. You can technically use motors as small as 3/4 HP, but we typically recommend:

1 HP motors for light-duty grinding, sharpening, and smaller shop use.

1.5 HP motors for general-purpose knife making and fabrication.

2 HP motors for heavy stock removal, large material grinding, or high-demand shop settings.

All of our grinder chassis models—including the Mini Diktator, Diktator XS, Das Toobinator, Bandit, and Diktator MAX—are designed to accept 56C face motors with a 5/8" shaft and foot mount. Each grinder kit gives you the flexibility to pair your chassis with the motor that matches your needs.

Motor Speed: 1700 vs. 3450 RPM
Both 1700 RPM and 3450 RPM motors are viable options. The key difference lies in belt speed:

1700 RPM motors offer a slower belt speed, which can be helpful for beginners or applications like sharpening and detail work. However, material removal will take longer.

3450 RPM motors deliver higher belt speeds, making them ideal for aggressive stock removal, shaping, and heavy grinding tasks.

Regardless of RPM, you’ll want the ability to adjust belt speed for different jobs.

Speed Control Options
For variable speed grinding, we highly recommend a VFD (Variable Frequency Drive). It allows you to slow down or speed up your belt with precision, which is especially helpful when switching between coarse stock removal and fine detail work like sharpening or using small wheel attachments.

If a VFD is outside your budget, a step pulley system can still offer basic speed adjustment using a mechanical belt and pulley setup.

🔗 Need help with belt speed? Use our Belt Speed Calculator to dial in the right drive wheel size and motor combo for your needs.

If you need further help choosing a motor or configuring your setup, email us at support@diktatorgrinder.com—we’re here to help.