Belt Grinder

W

Wilblade

Joined
Dec 2, 2008
Messages
2
What is the best rpm for a belt grinder. I'm looking at the Kalamazoo 2FS72M with 8" wheel and 1 H.P. 1745 rpm motor.
 
What task is the belt grinder going to be used?

Motor at 1745 RPM turning the 8" diameter wheel the belt speed will be 3654 linear feet per minute (LFPM).

The belt LFPM is a measure that many people use to keep things in perspective.
 
I don't know exact rpm of my belt grinder but it has 4 way step pulley. For me there is no best RPM for belt speed, I was grinding bevels at the lowest speed (it is about 250 - 300 RPM), it is impossible to have an even grind at full throttle when you don't have enough experience. Now I use my belt at 2.nd lowest speed (I guess it is about 500 or so) when grinding bevels. For different materials you have to run the belt very slow, organic material burns and the burn marks are too hard to clean by hand sanding. So It is best to have a variable speed belt grinder, with step pulleys or the best is with VFD...

edit: I calculate my belt speed by the RPM of drive wheel, but it is best to calculate it with distance p/min as rlicius said...
 
Welcome to the forum Willblade! Have you considered the Coote (http://www.cootebeltgrinder.com/) grinder? You can get a 10" for about the same money as the kalamazoo, and while I have no experience with the grinder you are looking at, the Coote is a very well made grinder. Norm is a great guy to deal with and he can set you up with the correct step pulleys also.

-Mark
 
Wilblade, I have that kalamazoo grinder. It sucks IMHO but I have learned to deal with it. I only have one speed and I don't know the RPM but it's very fast! You should look at the Coote which is what I'm doing. If this is your first grinder, do not make the same mistake I made. I just didn't have the money to get something better at the time.
 
Whatever the speed it's too fast.... probably the biggest hindrance to learning to grind is a fast grinder. A variable speed, through step pulleys or a VS controller, will really help you to learn to grind.
 

Thanks all for your input, it's been a great help. I talking with Norm Coot about his grinders, as I think I'll go that route. Wilblade
 
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