How many pounds do you think an aluminium grinder like the Santa Cruz Shredder will grind before the teeth will become noticeably dull?
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I’ve been using my Aluminum Grinders (1 Santa Cruz Shredder, and one Space Case) for 16 years non stop. When the teeth seem dull, an Iso bath makes them feel as sharp as new.
That is about 16 pounds.
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Troy says in his best grinders list that he’s been using his scs for over a decade too and it still works perfectly. One thing I’m not sure of is how long the rings last. But I’ve never seen any complaints about having to change them all the time.
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The rings last about ten years. I have extra rings for all of my grinders in all sizes. MANY years ago (almost 20), I wrote to the owner of Space Case, and he sent me a bag of each Space Case size.
They fit SCS too with a little assistance.
If your gaskets are blown, write to the makers of your grinder and they will likely help you. Mention that your friends on the Vaping Forum all suggestred this , and knowing that you speak with other vaporists, they will likely help knowing that many other users read your input!
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After an ISO bath I use this on the gasket:
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I think the answer is going to depend on the grinder and the user.
My Santa Cruz has over 10 years of use and it’s still good to go. It shows wear, but I don’t think it affects performance. There are some close-up photos in the Santa Cruz Grinder Review
I gravitate towards stainless steel grinders these days, but I think aluminum grinders are 100% OK.
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Aluminum is a fine material, especially hard anodized. 99% of aluminum ingested gets filtered out by the kidneys. it is possible that people with chronic kidney disease may not filter it as well and it could build up to toxic levels.
I think there’s a general perception that it’s less safe than ss. But afaik it stems from a study done years ago that found increased aluminum in samples (not sure what kind) taken from people with Alzheimer’s disease. But then they found that some of their lab equipment was actually leaching aluminum into the samples. Of course studies like that get widely publicized. But a lot less people find out about the retraction.
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Someone suggested a Chapstick to lube the grinder and I use that…
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Did a cleaning of my Old Mate with some ethanol. Figured I see what comes out for a concentrate. Currently in a silicon cupcake liner evaporating. Into the freezer after the ethanol evaporates and then into the Ardent Flex for a decarb. May use it in a nitro cannabis infused drink. The clean up extractions are good to experiment with while making edibles. When you fail (more often than not) not much of a loss.
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Odin ss v2 arrives this week. Was noticing super sticky hangs up top with the Kozo even when clean. Looking forward to Odin’s coarser grind.
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Arrives next week. In this case they shipped kinda slow. The Kozo is 3", Odin is 2.4". With my fumbly fingers, wish they made a 6" grinder, lol. 
Put a whole jar in it. Snoop Dog version.
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Odin delayed again, town next over couldn’t be bothered to bring packages today. I swear Azon is soooooo much more reliable than PO…
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I think you’ll survive another day.
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Yes, but the joints are lumpy!
More a matter of hating PO than patience. Recently got a “delivered in box.” Wasn’t. Inquiry found the guy delivered it, to an unused mailbox, luckily.
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Odin has landed! Sucker is heavy, nice motor parts feeling. Was concerned the grind would be too coarse but I’d call it medium. Used to 3" Kozo but this 2.4" is acceptable (2" isn’t big enough). Very pretty grind.
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Heck ya 
I’m glad you like it so far @Cmdr.Redeye. Still loving mine been my daily since I got it.
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Very cool. Did you get the V1 or the V2?
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Thanks! So solid! Already threw one old grinder in the trash…
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The v2. Had a sale and a coupon or something. The post office deserves a thump for glacially slow service. There’s nothing I’d call slop, some tiny movement of the bottom in its locking lugs. If it was sticky or filthy it’d be fine. Top is heavy and moves like glass. Not taking it hiking, but the daily grind just got more satisfying. Startlingly heavy and its artwork pleases my gallowglass ancestors. Where’d I put that bearded axe?
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