Esteem Grinder Arrived...Assembly Photos

TonyRV2

TonyRV2

Joined
Feb 21, 2007
Messages
270
The Esteem grinder arrived week before last and I took some photos of the build. Its shipped in 6 boxes in order to save on shipping...the thing ways about 160 pounds without the tilt plate, so probably about 180 pounds or so all told. The construction is all steel, no aluminum anywhere. The steel frame as well as a few other parts are blue powder coated, while most of the rest is black anodized. The only parts left bare are the tool holders, tool rest and platen for obvious enough reasons. Here's the photos, do ask if you have any questions. Oh, and by the way, Bret Matthews was a pleasure to work with, a solid guy with a great understanding of what it means to build a quality, affordable grinder.

Frame and Hinge Plate
Frame and Hinge Plate.jpg

2HP Leeson Motor
Motor and Shaft.jpg

Another shot of the motor
Leeson Motor.jpg

Motor plate
Motor Plate.jpg

Tension Arm and Horizontal Support
Tension Arm and Horizontal Rest.jpg
 
More Photo's.......

Crowned Drive Wheel
Drive Wheel.jpg

Crowned Tracking Wheel
Tracking Wheel.jpg

Drive Wheels and Tool Holder
Tracking and Drive Wheels.jpg

KBAC 27D VFD was Prewired, so there were only 3 wires to connect to the motor.
Motor Wiring.jpg
 
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A few more photo's that for some reason wouldn't post last time. :confused: (files may have been too large!)

KBAC 27D VFD
KBAC 27D VFD 2.jpg

Tool Rest
Tool Rest 2.jpg

Tool Rest, Flat Platen, Tensioning Lever
Tool Rest_Platen_Tension Arm 2.jpg

Tensioning Lever and Horizontal Post
Tension Arm and Horizontal Rest 2.jpg

Shot of the Hinges...and Hinge Plate
Hinges 2.jpg

I haven't taken any pictures yet of the fully assembled grinder....been too busy grinding! I'll post some later.
 
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I can only see the first group, can't see the second or third...


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You are going to love that grinder. I've had mine for a year and half and it has been a pleasure grinding with it. And Brett is a great guy to boot.
The thing is built like a tank, probably way over-built, but better than under. I'm thinking hard about a second one now.
 
A.McPherson said:
I can only see the first group, can't see the second or third...


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I don't know why, but in my second and third postings the pictures only show up as links even though I used the same method to post as the first. Maybe someone wiser than I can shed some light as to why.
 
Try them again, Tony. You probably missed a punctuation/diacritical mark or something.
 
It was odd Stacy. I just used the basic uploader, so I didn't have to insert the BBC directly. This morning I edited each of the two posts, deleting the old code, and uploading the same pictures, which showed the exact same code as before.....now the thumbnails are showing. Yesterday, I must not have been holding my tongue the right way. :rolleyes:

More pictures of the completed grinder (not quite as shiny) and the tools will get posted later today.
 
Very nice looking grinder! Could you take a close up of the tracking mechanism? I'm in the process of building a grinder and I'm not exactly sure how to proceed on the tracking...


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A.McPherson said:
Very nice looking grinder! Could you take a close up of the tracking mechanism? I'm in the process of building a grinder and I'm not exactly sure how to proceed on the tracking...


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Here are shots of the tracking mechanism. The right vertical support is threaded for the adjustment knob. The left verticle support has a pocket for a rather stiff spring in order to keep tension on the knob. The horizontal bar pivots on a bolt that's threaded on to the main tension bar. If you have any other questions, I'd be happy to answer.

Side view
Tension Adjustment side.jpg

Top view
Tension Adjustment top.jpg

Front view
Tension Adjustment front.jpg
 
Here are some shots of the assembled grinder and tooling.

9" Flat Platen
9 inch flat platen.jpg

Flat Platen side view
Esteem_Flat Platen.jpg

8 Inch Wheel
Esteem_10 inch wheel 2.jpg

Bader Style Double Small Wheel Attachment
Esteem_Small Wheel 2.jpg

Flipped Horizontal
Horizontal 2.jpg
 
Looks great Tony! What is the overall footprint with the horizontal flip plate included? I'm wondering if I'm going to need to relocate my drill press.
 
Tony, I know you put a lot of thought into your buying decision. I have to ask. Now that the Esteem in set-up in your shop, do you have any regrets not buying the AMK?
 
NC Biker said:
Tony, I know you put a lot of thought into your buying decision. I have to ask. Now that the Esteem in set-up in your shop, do you have any regrets not buying the AMK?
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No regrets whatsoever Chuck. This grinder is built like the proverbial outhouse and I do believe a grinder with tooling arms is the way to go. This is what influenced my decision not to go with the AMK, although in concept, I think they've got a great idea for someone that feels they don't need the versatility of using tooling arms.
 
Did someone ask if the Esteem would pass the "nickel test"? Easily....so I opted for the "penny test" instead. :D It starts out with the VFD at 100% and then I slowly reduced the setting down to 1% or so. The penny never even gave a hint of movement.

[video=youtube;nHpSFpjRTuo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHpSFpjRTuo[/video]
 
Thanks Tony, I've never seen a tracking mech. like that before, just the ones that adjust vertically...


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A.McPherson said:
Thanks Tony, I've never seen a tracking mech. like that before, just the ones that adjust vertically...


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I'm no expert at grinder construction, but I believe the horizontal tracking adjustment works well because of the crowned wheels. Tipping the tracking wheel one way or the other allows the belt to slide down the crown in the direction of the tilt. This is my thinking on it anyways. I will say that the tracking is rock solid and not overly sensitive when the tracking adjustment knob is turned.
 
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