Building a 2x72 - what to look for in a motor? Edit: Done

Alright guys, slow start and nothing to get excited about...this is mostly a scrap build. I do want it to be fairly heavy duty. Starting with the base, to grinder build, to improvements and embellishments.

Found some workable junk in the pile, including some farm plow parts I dug out of my yard and this old guy with a blown hydraulic pump:

It yielded some good stuff I will make use of.
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Had this 1" plate laying around, figured it would make a good base.
The 2x4 tube is 1/4" thick and has some holes that will come in handy later. Solid steel wheels are from the jack and the axle was yard gold I literally dug up.


Originally thought Id put the front on wheels, but for me stability is key (as much as possible when you are lipstickin' a pig) These wheels dont lock and id have to fab up adjustable feets.


Now im thinking about going over the top of the base plate with the axle, so it has to be tipped backward to move around. All else fails, I can rig up a fork lift bracket situation.


Some 5/16" thick bars for table support. This height should line up the tool rest with my belly button.


One thing holding me up, is that I dont have a big enough plate for the top... unless I want to stitch these 1/4" plates together...which I may do.
Or maybe just do some thick strap for mounting and expanded metal the rest instead.
Perimeter of the table is a 3/16" rec tube that should give me plenty of apron to possibly stick stuff to later.


If this wasn't exciting enough, here is more junk :) Nice thick plate for platen and another plate for a tool rest. Rusty gold there is solid square for the platen arm.


Few ramblings:
-I do have a real thick aluminum disk that I could cut a platen out of..any drawbacks to using alu vs steel?
-Is it OK to run the grinder wheels on the threads of the 1/2 bolts? (they do have a sleeve in them, so I would think it doesn't really matter. I happen to have a bunch of 1/2 carriage bolts.
-Does my wheel setup look kosher? Im no engineer lol.

Any advice or criticism is welcome. Gonna start the more fun stuff soon.
 
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I prefer the belt to be just outside the table - not totally sure why other than that's the way my grinder is. If the belt runs over the table it will build up grinding dust pretty fast, but that might keep it from the floor so much. It will be interesting to see what other folks say.
 
Thanks for the help:thumbsup: Got it mocked up. Still need to get some bolts, washers, spacers, fully weld up etc etc....but nice to see it coming together.
Nothing fancy but should serve me well. Ill be adding stuff to it as I use it, probably starting with some kind of water bucket setup and of course tool rest.





EDIT: I got it running, thanks Ken. Just need to fine tune, but it seems to run well. Ill post finished pics soon. Thanks again!
 
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I'd use the 20 amp plug - more current than needed and easier to deal with than the Crow's Foot 50 amp plug.

Yep, moving the control panel to the outside of box should be a good move. The control panel is sealed if I remember correctly. I would still like to have a DPDT switch for the Forward-OFF-Reverse control as well as a 5K (or 10K) pot for speed control. Pushing those membrane buttons on the control panel works, but I don't like it.

You plan to bolt the stand to concrete floor? That will work nicely. Now I see the wheels - when you're grinding heavy you put a good bit of pressure on the grinder and not sure how well that base will hold without being bolted down. that's something you'll have to test as you start grinding.

Your grinder looking good. My motor is face mounted, but I've considered bolting to base as your motor is. That would allow the use of a motor adjusting screw to twist the motor for tracking adjustment rather than adjusting the tracking wheel. The TW90 uses the twist the motor method and I think it would work nicely.

Good luck - you're doing good.
 
Personal thanks to you guys that helped me out, its much appreciated.

Done with it for now. Tuned it a bit and got it running nice and smooth in forward and reverse. Still gotta fine tune a couple things and add some do-dads, but for now im over it! Lots of work. Made a 45 tool rest also, not shown.




Dusty kitty paws on it in memory of CM :) Also won a BF sticker in the yearly give away, gonna slap that on there. Thanks again bros.
 
You gonna enjoy that grinder - I like the way you've got the control panel mounted in the small enclosure where it's visible and very easy access.
 
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