6'' inch buffer or bench grinder converted into 2x72

U

USMC_ROCKO

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Sep 19, 2011
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I have been doing alot of research on the forums and the web for a belt grinder made from a buffer or bench grinder, I got my idea from the 50 dollar knife shop and I am wondering if it is possible and if so what bench grinder or buffer would work good for me to make my knifes out of files. I drew up a plan that sorta looks like a grizzly 2x72 , I would get grizzly but dont have that kind of money.
 
Unless you have access to a metal shop and are very good at fabricating things. I believe you are going to have as much or more into by the time you get through with the build. Sounds like you know what the Grizzly set up looks like and if you are too the point of not being able to afford anything else I would recommend it.

However now if you are a handy guy and have at least a drill press you can build a KMG clone relatively cheap. There are online plans for the build. Although the site I thought I had bookmarked with them I can't locate at the minute. I will look back and see if I have it somewhere else and if I do I will post it for you.

Any way that my take on your question!


EDIT:
Here are the online plans, at the bottom of this post. You can print them and refer to original if you have problems. No they aren't to scale, but if you can see the measurements of the piece and read the prints it will allow you to build the grinder. With not much more than a drill press a right angle grinder, a set of taps and dies, and there are sites on line the will let you purchase the metal cut to dimension. You can build the KMG clone for about what you are going to have in the Grizzly belt grinder. The motor and subsequent, VS controller are going to cost some.
Mine was built with step pullies and you can find all the spec for the original KMG on Beaumont's site.

Here are some pics of my build:
000_1178.jpg


000_1180.jpg


000_1182.jpg


plans- http://www.dfoggknives.com/PDF/GrinderPlans.pdf

metal site- http://www.metalsdepot.com/?OVRAW=s...advanced&OVADID=5644364522&OVKWID=51399949022
 
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I like that idea but I am on a budget right now, I mean I would love a KMG clone but I dont have alot of cash, I can get a hold of a buffer or bench grinder, I mean I have been working with metal and wood for years, I also have a neibor who is a electrician/welder , and he could help me build it for cheap , I am just wondering if a Harbor Freight 6'' buffer is fast enough for a simple 2x72 belt grinder, I have a good drill press and many other tools to build one. I am trying to build one for 100 bucks, and upgrade to a KMG or coote later. Just something to get my knifes faster and nice more crisp grinds to sell and get enough money to get a better one. I have a 4x36 and a 1x30 using Blaze 40 grit belts , and its good but takes like 3 hours to get a knife out of a standard file, into a blade with edge on.
 
USMC_ROCKO said:
I like that idea but I am on a budget right now, I mean I would love a KMG clone but I dont have alot of cash, I can get a hold of a buffer or bench grinder, I mean I have been working with metal and wood for years,
I also have a neibor who is a electrician/welder , and he could help me build it for cheap ,
I am just wondering if a Harbor Freight 6'' buffer is fast enough for a simple 2x72 belt grinder,

I have a good drill press and many other tools to build one.
I am trying to build one for 100 bucks, and upgrade to a KMG or coote later.

Just something to get my knifes faster and nice more crisp grinds to sell and get enough money to get a better one. I have a 4x36 and a 1x30 using Blaze 40 grit belts , and its good but takes like 3 hours to get a knife out of a standard file, into a blade with edge on.
Click to expand...

I understand not having $$$

I still agree with the post above.

It's not an issue with a buffer being fast enough for a grinder.
If you follow grinder discussions, much of it is about slowing it down.

Stepped pulleys are a cheap way to do it.


Research the NWG No Weld Grinder
You can buy specific plans, but it's basically a KMG like in the free plans above, but made with tubing instead of solid steel


100 is a bit of a dream unless you can get everything for free.

If you can get a free motor - maybe 1 HP ( Imean a -real- 1 hp) I suspect you can build one for about $250
A cheap contact wheel will be 100 alone.
Add another 100 for the other pair of wheels unless you can find a friend with a lathe.
 
What if I built my grinder with steel and aluminum, and get the 1hp motor then cant I just build the wheels if I do that? Also I really dont see any problem using a bench grinder or buffer converted into a belt grinder, I really want a great grinder but I cant spend hundereds of dollars for a grinder right now and I need one that will work but not break my wallet. I really am just looking for a yes it will work or it wont, I need to build one within a month.
 
Get the $50 knife shop by Gil Hibben. Lots of examples on how to build a grinder on the cheap
 
go for the craftsman 2x42. it is cheap and will work just fine. save up until you are able to afford the 2x72 and then do it right.
 
USMC_ROCKO said:
What if I built my grinder with steel and aluminum, and get the 1hp motor then cant I just build the wheels if I do that? Also I really dont see any problem using a bench grinder or buffer converted into a belt grinder, I really want a great grinder but I cant spend hundereds of dollars for a grinder right now and I need one that will work but not break my wallet. I really am just looking for a yes it will work or it wont, I need to build one within a month.
Click to expand...

Can you?
We don't know if you can or not
It's going to take a metal lathe & the skills to use it.
I didn't see you mention it.

You won't be able to create a rubber coated contact wheel, the single most expensive part of a build besides motors and controls

knifemakerusa sells wheels at good prices.

Some use a grizzly grinder, but there are much better ones available.
The toolbar system of the KMG, TW90, NWG and Bader is much more versatile.

A small wheel is very helpful

Let me say this again, you want to be able to slow the grinder down. & step pulleys are the cheapest way.
It cost me $ to learn that, let me save you that lesson.

Hooking it up direct to a bench grinder is FAST & difficult to control.

Have a look at these



Entry Level Grinders
Many makers start with the Sears Craftsman 2x42 belt grinder

Low Speed Modification Craftsman 2x42 belt grinder


Commercial Production 2 x 72” Belt Grinder Reviews
http://www.prometheanknives.com/shop-techniques-3/grinders
http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCKnifeMakingGrinders.htm

Mapp arm – Grinder Toolrest


DIY 2 x 72” Belt Grinders

KMG Clone Free Plans
http://www.dfoggknives.com/PDF/GrinderPlans.pdf

NWG No Weld Grinder
http://www.usaknifemaker.com/plans-for-the-no-weld-grinder-sander-nearly-50-pages-p-723.html

EERF Grinder (EERF =“Free” backwards)
http://wilmontgrinders.com/EERFGrinder.aspx
http://blindhogg.com/blueprints.html

Buy the kit
http://polarbearforge.com/grinder_kit.html





You have a design ?
Let's see your design
 
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USMC_ROCKO said:
I have been doing alot of research on the forums and the web for a belt grinder made from a buffer or bench grinder, I got my idea from the 50 dollar knife shop and I am wondering if it is possible and if so what bench grinder or buffer would work good for me to make my knifes out of files. I drew up a plan that sorta looks like a grizzly 2x72 , I would get grizzly but dont have that kind of money.
Click to expand...

AVigil said:
Get the $50 knife shop by Gil Hibben. Lots of examples on how to build a grinder on the cheap
Click to expand...

AVigil


Did you miss reading that in his original post?

& it's not by Gil Hibben
 
And it is Wayne Goddards 50 dollar knife shop and I have read it about 20 times, Michael Morris told me about trying a buffer or bench grinder as a belt grinder and , he said in the beginning when he started he used almost a same set-up of what I am trying to build. And He also gave me a good idea how to true up the contact wheel, by putting it on the machine when glued together plywood and turn it on and true it up with sandpaper and files, and cover the wheel where the belt touchs the belt is a rubber bought at auto zone . Cant think of name right now.
 
How did I miss that?...LOL
Talk about "Old Timers Syndrome"...lol For thirty years I have been calling Wayne "Gil" and Gil "Wayne" and I have met them both more then once. I met Gil when he was "Peter David" but that is another story:rolleyes:

You can do it. If you have the patience. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Be creative.
 
FWIW I bought a variable speed 6" bench grinder by Porter Cable on sale at Lowes for under $70. They also make a VS 8" for around $120. My little 6" is amazingly powerful. I bought and immediately stripped off the wheels and guards and put buffing wheels on it. It polishes ivory like a dream. Why couldnt either grinder be adapted to run a belt?
 
Than you guys so much, now I can plan to build it and make some nicer knifes , I will post pics of the belt grinder when done. I also want to know what is a good grinding speed for a belt grinder? 1725,1750,2000,3000,3400,3600, etc... to make knifes fast but clean.
 
The typical setup with kmg is

1700 rpm motor

and

234
432

step pulleys

and a 4 to inch drive wheel


that gives you 1700 rpm in the middle and half, and double

on the 4 inch wheel that is

750
1700
3400
Surface Feet Per Minute
SFPM
 
So If my buffer / bench grinder goes 3400-3600 rpm then what should the wheel size be, I am basically doing a design that looks like the grizzly, like a 6-8 inch wheel on bottom and 3-4 inch wheel on top where the tracking is. I mean the idler wheel and drive wheel size for my build.
 
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