getting shock from grinder....

[DHackney]

Hi folks,

I seem to recall that J Neilson had this problem a little while back and would be interested in what the solution turned out to be.

This just started happening jut recently and I've got no clue what's causing it.

Help appreciated.

Many thanks,
Dana Hackney
Mounment, CO

[Steve Hayden]

I think that if you put any kind of insulating pad on your platen, you get static built up from the grinding. It can be startling when you don't expect it, but I don't think it will hurt you.

[jaegar]

insulating pad...
does that include pyrocream (sp?) ?
If so, I might re-think buying some.
Thanks
~Brian

[DHackney]

I, indeed, have a piece of pyrochem that I bought from Darren Ellis installed on the platen, and that is what's kind weird and got me a bit concerned.

Thanks a lot,
Dana

[Mike Hull]

It's just static discharge. Pyroceram and some other insulating liners on your platen just increase it is all.
Get a wrist ground from the computer store, or office max, and run a wire to somewhere on the frame of the grinder. Put a small plug in the line so you can pull it off(disconnect) easily.
Or just fix up some other way to bleed static discharge to some other ground than yourself.
It's more noticeable during times of very low humidity.

This was covered(again) just a couple of days ago, on this forum.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=335419

[Raymond Richard]

Downey Fabric softener is suppossed to help. I thought I'd be the first with a smart ass answer. I've been getting bit by mine also. We have had nothing but clear, dry and low humidity days for about a month now. If I could figure away to ground my robe sure would be a blessing. My pickup is my biggest problem......

[DHackney]

for the information. Come to think of it, it has been really dry here on the Eastern slope of the Rockies. I will see if I can pick up one of these units on the way home from work today.

Thanks! again!
Dana

[DHackney]

I'd use some Downy too but it's too cold in my shop for a robe

Dana

[TJ Smith]

It might be just static electricity but it still jolts the heck out of you.I've had sparks jump 1/2 inch to my finger. I jumped 10 feet or somewheres about that.
Get a static dissapating mat. they are availble from Janatorial Supply House and computer stores should have them.
I think Harbor Freight carries 1.
Worked for me
TJ

[Burchtree]

Take it like a man dadnabbit!!

Yea, it sucks -- the dry cold area had made my Grizzly a pain lately.

[Raymond Richard]

I just happend to think that I've been wearing insulated rubber soled boots and I'm still getting shocked. They don't seem to help when I touch the hot wire fence for the cows either. I'm thinking DC doesn't care if your grounded or not.

[J. Neilson]

Sorry Dan, I didn't see this one 'till just now.

Link for the original post- http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...ight=suffering

Ok, time for an update. I tried a few different ideas here. Running a copper wire to another larger tool didn't do it. Then I ran that same wire to the ground line that comes out of the shop's breaker box (grounded outside)...no good. The I took the pyrocerum off the platen, took a piece of 1/4" 5160, hardened it and tack welded it onto the platen...SHAZAM. No more shocks. Thanks for all the help guys, I might be around for a few more years now.

Adding the thick steel platen helped disperse things better and you can put the pyrocerum right back over that. If you've got any questions, just give me a yell.

[godogs57]

Jaeger: you dang right it includes pyroceram! I have shocked the ever loving s___ out of myself lately on my square wheel Wilton grinder. It has pyroceram on the flat platen.

I posted a question regarding this shocking last year and could not get a conclusive answer to it. The past 4 weeks have been much worse than usual. I can grind and there will be a big blue arc from the blade to the platen, with the "shock" moving through the blade and into my hand. It will, I kid you not, cause the lights in the shop to blink! I had to walk away from it last week when putting the initial edge on big Bowie's cutting edge after finishing it. When moving the cutting edge close to the edge of the platen blue arcs would jump, zap me and I would just about drop to the floor. I had to walk away before I threw it through the roof. I can even avoid getting my fingers too close to the metal on the grinder...finish my grind...and then walk to another metal object such as a table saw and still shock myself. I have told a few friends: I was struck by lightning a few years ago, and even a little bit of static electricity will about cause me to fall out, so this is a big deal to me as well...Any help is appreciated.

Hank Hammond

[FlaMtnBkr]

I do not even have a grinder so I'll probably be sticking my foot in my mouth but [:footinmou]....couldnt you just get some wire, strip one end and affix it to the platen and then run the other end and hook it up to a metal work bench or some metal plumbing to ground the platen and disperse the static charge? Also, it doesnt matter if your feet are insulated or not, your body has enough mass to act as a 'ground' and if you are the closest thing to a ground, thats where the charge is going to go.

Ryan

[Ripper]

Connecting everything (machine/operator) to a common ground point (equal potential) should prevent charging/discharging. However, the problem might be insulative materials (belts, pyroceramic platens, etc.) or isolated conductors that cannot be grounded. Two ways to control their static generating properties are air ionizers or topical antistatic solutions. Air ionizers might be cost prohibitive but are a long term solution. If the problem is relative to periods of dry humidity you might want to try an antistat.
Regards,
Greg

[Mike Hull]

Originally Posted by FlaMtnBkr

I do not even have a grinder so I'll probably be sticking my foot in my mouth but [:footinmou]....couldnt you just get some wire, strip one end and affix it to the platen and then run the other end and hook it up to a metal work bench or some metal plumbing to ground the platen and disperse the static charge? Also, it doesnt matter if your feet are insulated or not, your body has enough mass to act as a 'ground' and if you are the closest thing to a ground, thats where the charge is going to go.

Ryan

The problem is not the metal platen, but the insulating pyroceram on it. The belt running over it causes a static charge to build up(in the maker). It discharges when your fingers come in close proximity to the metal parts of the grinder.

Simply put a computer ground strap on yourself, and attach it to the motor body/frame, or grinder body.
Or the idea I like better stated above, get a grounding(static disapating) mat to stand on.

Godog 57, this problem has been discussed at length, many times, for well over a year, so you should have found some info in a search.

If the lights in your shop are dimming from a static(?) discharge, you have serious electrical problems, and should get an electrician to check things out.

[FlaMtnBkr]

I knew I should have kept my mouth shut So I guess it builds up in the pyroceram which jumps to the knife and builds up in the person....wouldnt have thunk that. Guess thats why I should keep my fingers away from the keyboard when I dont really know what yall are talkin about...Maybe one day I'll actually get to give some good advice

[Mike Hull]

Originally Posted by FlaMtnBkr

I knew I should have kept my mouth shut So I guess it builds up in the pyroceram which jumps to the knife and builds up in the person....wouldnt have thunk that. Guess thats why I should keep my fingers away from the keyboard when I dont really know what yall are talkin about...Maybe one day I'll actually get to give some good advice

Well, I think it's created by the action of the belt moving over the pyroceram, and using someone elses description, it's like rubbing a glass rod on silk, you get a static charge, well this works the same way, but the charge builds up in the maker, and the shock comes when the makers body parts come into contact with the already grounded grinder, or for that matter, even close enough can cause the static charge to jump from the maker to the grounded machine.
Secret is just to ground yourself to the machine, to keep the charge from being built up to levels that can hurt upon discharge. The charge would just constantly flow from you, back to ground, without causing pain, or a fright, which could cause an accident if it happened at the wrong moment.

Nothing wrong with your question at all. Many do not understand it, and I'm certainly no expert at this.

[TJ Smith]

Get a static dissapating mat (floor mat) and stand on it while you grind.I spent 2 hours grinding today without a shock. I use a kmg with a neo ceram platen.Before the mat I got the hell zapped out of me.
Anti static spray works great. Guess how you know when it's not working.ZZZZAAAAPPPP.
TJ

[pso]

This topic comes up a couple of times every winter. Here is a link to a recent thread that contains some tips warnings about what to do about it.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=325219

Maybe Dan Gray or someone like that can add a link to their tutorials page since this issue seems to come up almost as often as respirators and dust control.

Phil