building a new grinder

B

bjalongi

Joined
Oct 23, 2006
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I was helping my father in law clean out his upholstery shop a few months back and he gave me a like new industrial sewing machine motor that was kicking around. It's 1HP+ and is variable speed.

I'm going to use it to build a belt grinder. I'm plumb burned out on spending hours drawing my file.

I've been able to scrap together everything I'll need for the project, minus the idler wheel and baring setup.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a part that I can purchase at the hardware store and modify to suit my needs?

For the large wheel, I plan on using an 6" wheel that I've trued up on my lathe. I have plenty of scrap lumber and steel to build it with. So far, I have zero out of pocket expense for this project! Most of my shop is built out of scrounged materials, and it's very functional.

Also, if anyone has anything laying around that might work, I'd consider talking with you about it.

God bless.
 
I probably should add that safety will be priority when building this. I understand what a shoddy grinder can do to someone.
 
bjalongi said:
I probably should add that safety will be priority when building this. I understand what a shoddy grinder can do to someone.
Click to expand...

Given that you added this I don't have to do the normal "don't cheap out and hurt yourself" bit :)

If you have a lathe, just scrounge some 4" or so aluminum round and turn some wheels. Just remember to put a 1-2 degree crown on the tracking (idler) wheel. Call your local Fastenal for bearings and just turn the recess for them and press them in.

The other option if you don't mind spending a few $$ is to just call Rob at Beaumont Metalworks and have him send you the wheels you need. His prices are fair and the product is great.

Make sure you post pics when you're done!

-d
 
Look at my prev posts about Her Majesty's Grinder (HMG) Mark I and II.
Mark I was based on Goddard's Big Red design and Mark II is loosely based on Bader.

With a drill press, lathe and a welder to quickly put it together, there's no limit
to what you can do. I love my grinder (after seeing bader in person, I realized I overbuilt mine by 2x) .

Drive wheel, contact and idler, can be bought from surpluscenter.com (particular Part # in my earlier posts). They true up beatifully on a lathe.

Like deker said, bore for bearings. Don't even have to be a press fit.
 
I made my own grinder aswell. I went to the Beaumont/KMG site and was able to draw up plans from that site. I was able to make a really nice grinder for about $200 and change with aboput 30 hours of labour invested as well. I only wish that I had your variable speed 1 hp motor. I am jellous now LOL.
 
Given the fact that I'm 30 and back in college full time and not working (Uncle Sam's beni's just aren't as good as the recruiter made them sound), I'm going to try to do this one without purchasing anything major. My wife recently let me buy a hefty gun safe, so I need to stay on her good side.

If that means I have to wait, then fine. My impatience will probably turn my project into a disc grinder/soft grinding wheel combo, since I already have a turned shaft fitted with pulley and barings. That would complement my bench grinder very nicely actually. And I wouldn't have to invest in the initial belts. Sounds like I just convinced myself...:)

I can always get another motor from my father in law to build a belt grinder. He's every bit of the definition of a "pack rat." Most people think it's nuts, but I am beginning to love it! My shop is organized, unlike his, probably from my military years. When ever I need an odd thing for a project, I go over there and begin rumaging. Who'd a thought, a great wife came with all that!

Oh, and I'll definitely post pics fer ya'll...
 
Find a machine shop, check the dumpster. Get a case of whatever beer you see in the dumpster along with the scrap metal. Put the beer in an icey cooler and come back around quiting time. Talk to the guy that owns the shop, or even better, the guy that runs the shop. Pass out some beer and ask about the 4-5" aluminum rounds laying there. They'll probably work up a wheel or two for you for free from their scrap, as long as you know the arbor siz for the motor. Seriously, I've done it. I've gotten L-6, D2, O1, 304SS, brass and all sorts of aluminum and weld steel for free out of one particular shop's head guy- not to mention old bandsaw blades. A few of the other local shops have given me various scraps of stainless steel for bolsters and guards. It doesn't hurt to ask around. If they won't work up the wheels or you can't find a shop, Beaumont Metalworks does have just the parts you need for reasonable prices.
 
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