Builting custom buffer disk grinder setup

SteelSlaver

SteelSlaver

Joined
Feb 17, 2007
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I was out in my shop finishing a couple blades and using my disk grinder and my bench grinder/ buffers and have come up with a plan to built a new piece of equipment. I have ordered a VFD good for 1 hp that uses 110v input and has 220 3 phase output. A 1hp 3 ph TECF motor. Plus 4 sets of 3/4" pillow block bearings and 2 9" cast iron disks. I plan to mount the motor on a plate and have a receiver socket similar to a KMG (except welded together) mounted on the motor plate. The square tube that slides into the receiver will have a piece of 2" angle welded on one end to form a T and I will mount the pillow blocks on the angle with the addition of some tabs. I have some 1" round stock I will turn each end down to 3/4". One end I will set up to take a V belt pulley about 6" in. Then I will thread the remainder of both ends so I can mount buffer wheels. One of the shafts will have the ends turned to accepted the keyed 9" disks, though I may put a 12" on one end. I think I will make the buffer wheels be about 18" apart I will mount the VFD and have a 10k pot mounted near the machine to control the speed and a switch to control direction of rotation. I am going to have a foot switch to start and stop the motor. To change buffers or have a disk grinder you simply loosen a knob on the receiver and slack the drive belt and remove it from the motor's pulley and then remove the set of buffers being used, reinstall the belt on the next set or the disk set, slide that set in the receiver, put the belt on the motor pulley and pull out to tighten the belt and tighten the knob on the receiver. Yes, I will take pictures as I go.

Does this sound like a good plan. Any thoughts or additions and would any one want one of these if it works out and I can make them for under $1000 with a disk set up and 2 buffer shaft set ups?
 
A lot of old machinery was driven off of water wheels in a similar fashion but I'm guessing you knew that. The only person I've seen run a shop anywhere near that is this guy on one of the machinist forums that lives off the grid and powers his stuff off of the PTO on an old truck. Sounds cool!
 
It sounds very well thought out. I have trouble picturing it all in my pea brain. Could you draw a picture of it?

I really like the versitality it will have. I love a foot switch at my drill press for two hand operations and have at times used it on the disc. Your variable speed disc and buffer would be more accurate and safer too. Cool project Jim.
 
This would only need 1 belt. You remove a head and put, another on just about like contact wheels on a KMG. After it the tube is all the way in and you have the belt over both pulleys, you pull out on the receiver till belt is tight and tighten the lockiing knob. No need for a tracing wheel with v belts.

buff-disk.jpg
 
ib2v4u said:
This would only need 1 belt. You remove a head and put, another on just about like contact wheels on a KMG. After it the tube is all the way in and you have the belt over both pulleys, you pull out on the receiver till belt is tight and tighten the lockiing knob. No need for a tracing wheel with v belts.

buff-disk.jpg
Click to expand...
I would be very concerned about working that close to a belt and pulley.
Nice idea but how about putting a guard on the left side over the pulley and make 2 arms seperate arms if you need a buffer and a disk?
 
The idea IS to be able to have multiple tool arms. Some with different buffs and one with 2 disks. That's the whole idea The belt would run about a 3" pulley on each shaft and the buffs or disk would be 8 or 9 " so you would not be that close to the belt. But a flip[ up guard to cover the belt would be easy to add.
I plan to have one set of buffs for handles, another 2 sets for blades and a arm with a 9" disk on one end and a 12" on the other. My current disk set up has a 1hp with VFD and a 9" and a 12" and is run with a belt and pulley with no guard and I would really have to work at it to get past the disk to get tangled up in the belt. I run 3 different motors for all my buffs and none of them have speed control or a foot petal. This will take up less space and have way more versatility and performance.
 
Looks interesting Jim... I'm used to working on a Coote, and I'd imagine the belt is a lot closer to the work when I'm grinding on the wheel than with your design. I guess a guard couldn't hurt though... we all want to be OSHA compliant, right? :D

(BTW, I think it's funny that the spell check wants to turn Coote into "Cootie")

-Mark
 
I will get it built and look at adding a flip down guard on the buffer shaft. I have the bearings and the VFD should be showing u soon. I already have a VFD just like it so wiring and setup is no problem. My current disk runs a 5 or 6" pulley behind the 9" disk, but that belt runs almost straight down. I wonder where a guy could get a bunch of old bike chain guards lol. I hate folding sheet metal.
 
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