1x42 to 1 x 72 grinder conversion

[GTH11]

Hi all thought id post this up. I was gifted a 1x72 belt to check out the usefullness, ive had a 1x42 craftsman grinder since the first week i started making and it wasnt to long before it kinda just sat there, while i focused on using my 2x72, anyhow once i ran out of belts for the little guy he just sat there...untill today, i got a fairly decent batch back from heat treat and im in assembly and finish mode, lots of handle work, i finished up some assembly tonight.. took a chug of my brewsky and that piece of mount bracket winked at me, and in a moment of clarity it came together! Literally this conversion took 45 min, 6 self tap screws,8 washers, 3/8 bit!! Im pretty excited about being able to use all my existing grits without ordering a special size, i have a custom built 3x60 horizontal i have to order belts for! Hope someone has a an ol 1x42 this helps them convert!
Greg Haile

I cant wait to get slackin!!

 

[Joe Calton]

wow! I have that same 1x42, that I bought at a flea market for $25. motor is getting tired though. I get belts for it from jantz, all the way down to 600. usually just use it for making folders. is it under powered with the longer belts?

 

[GTH11]

Not yet! i just took some steel to the platen area and it reminded me only that i needed a respirator, plus that is a nasty little norton belt! I can say i will be using this thing a bit more now, im gonna split a jflex, im kinda bummed though ive got a bunch of micarta handles to work through on some full tangs, i might skip a bit and get a hidden tang done so i can play getin into some contours!

 

[Brian Ayres]

Nice job Greg. Putting your shop monkey to work too?

That's some serious slack belt there!

 

[Joe Calton]

might want to add a guard to cover the top wheel, will help keep alot of stuff from flying into your face

 

[Bob Katilus]

that's pretty slick. nice idea

 

[Ricky D. Finch]

I did that to a one of mine, but put a Dayton DC motor and use it to sharpen the knives with. The first one i did, has a 8" contact wheel and use's 2x72 belts. I use it as my profiling grinder.