All your problems solved for a grinder motor

Sam Salvati

Sam Salvati

Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
5,060
I have an idea that will solve all your problems for a grinder motor, would you like a 5 HP motor for under 200$? 5hp that would run in a shop with 110? AND it's variable speed? Alll that for under 200$?
 
But wait there's MORE! If you call right now......:)
 
I am curious, I just ordered a vfd and motor. It was quite a bit more than $200.
 
Yeah. It's such a perfect solution I'm speechless. Although I'll point out that its output of 6.5 hp would be roughly equal to 3.25 hp from an electric motor... still plenty.

I did have in effect grinders that ran on gas for a good while, might as well be when you live off the grid and have to start a genny every time you want to grind.
 
I wonder why I haven't seen anyone do this yet, honestly. Even if you ran a V belt through a hole in the wall, or ran the exhaust outside. Loudness of the motor? you got hearing protection on anyway?
 
I am thinking of taking my extra VW motor and converting it to a compressor and could easily run a belt off the front pully. Running on 2 cylinders I could realistically get 20hp and loads of torque.


-Xander
 
Sam Salvati said:
I wonder why I haven't seen anyone do this yet, honestly. Even if you ran a V belt through a hole in the wall, or ran the exhaust outside. Loudness of the motor? you got hearing protection on anyway?
Click to expand...

Probably the cost of operation and the convenience of operation. It would cost @ $1 an hour in gas plus oil changes every 50 hours. You would need to start this engine by hand every time you shut it down or buy a more expensive electric start. A small engine like this might need replacing every 1000 - 3000 hours. How many hours do you get off of you electric motors?
 
you would have to rig some kind of clutch so you could change belts without having to stop and start the motor everytime.
 
Scagel had only a car motor ( Dodge?) for power to his shop. From what I remember of Dr. Lucie's description, he bought the car, had it delivered, and took the engine out. He never drove the car.

There have been several posts over the years of Third World smiths running their grinders off all types of small gas motors.

I have an 11HP Honda engine on my press. In the new shop there will be a small shed outside with the motor, my compressor, and any other loud equipment. The air will pipe through the wall, as will the hydraulic lines to the press.
 
I'd prefer to do it old school... build my shop next to a flowing spring and build a water wheel to power things.
 
I don't understand why Sam hasn't hooked up his motorscooter to a grinder .After watching that scooter barely make it up the hill I think a grinder would be much easier on the motor !!!
 
The exhaust could be plumbed outdoors through a cheap automotive muffler. It would be practically noiseless. Venting the shop for air intake would be necessary, and an electric start engine would be handy.
A propane fueled motor from a floor buffer might work even better.
 
I am trying to find a way to build a quality grinder on an tiny budget. I am thinking way out-the-box anyway. Y'all just took me to a different plane! Not sure it helps, but thanks.... I think?
Seriously, this thinking outside of the norm does spur some innovation. My neighbor drug an air compressor out his barn that was a 351 Ford V-8. It ran on one bank of 4 cylinders and the other bank of four cylinders was an air compressor. Bad ass! I used it to sandblast a 68 chevy truck frame, and the gas cost me as much as the sand. It really needs a new carburetor and a tune-up, but really an impressive machine. It is at least 40 years old, and I've never seen another like it.
There are a lot of innovative folks in this community. Look at the NWG and GIB grinders, the home-made forges and other ideas. Just to make one of the most basic, rudimentary tools; a knife. Thanks for posts like these. It does really keep the creative process moving along.
 
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