FAILED EXPERIMENT: Water-fed Belt Grinder

cotdt

cotdt

Joined
Oct 2, 2006
Messages
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I added a water-spray system that impinged water onto the belt to keep the knife cool. When I turned it on, the water just went around the 3500RPM belt splattering water all over me. Now I am soaking wet. Lesson learned.
 
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when I first read the title I imagined a water wheel in a river turning a driveshaft :D
 
i have soaked muslin wheels in water, then when i put them on the buffer, it helped build up a head on the new wheel,......but like you when i was done i was pretty wet, it does work though
 
At least you faired better than Sam with your experiment. I think Butch is right on the speed and some belts would not do well wet.
 
Splash guards, slow speeds, just the right amount of water - $50-$100

Seeing cotdt run in terror - Priceless

Stacy
 
Here's my wet belt grinder. It will go horizontal as well and any angle in between. My dad made it for grinding carbide. found he didnt need it as much as he thought and I ended up with it :D :thumbup: Since I was always using it to grind knife bevel flats, And boy, is it the bee's knees for grinding flats! 4"x106" silicon carbide wet / dry belts from C.R. Laurence. Motor runs at 1/2 hp 1725 RPM, on a 2:1 ratio underdrive. It goes slow, but it can it hawg when you need it to. Thought you might get an idea or two from these photos. Feel free to PM me for additional info. :D

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Jason
 
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cotdt, I like that idea and have thought I might want to try it someday.
Besides the water spray mess, did you get a chance to grind anything with it?

Will water damage/weaken belts?
 
I did some work at a lapidary store and they had machines for grinding stone that had about 10" wheels and used belts. They were also equipped with small water pumps. With the right kind of belts it can be done, but as others have already mentioned, it requires a slower speed. They even had like a flat disk grinder that ran with a water spray to it. It was set down a bit in a large tray so you didn't actually get wet. Maybe a disk grinder with water would work grinding steel?
 
a77 said:
cotdt, I like that idea and have thought I might want to try it someday.
Besides the water spray mess, did you get a chance to grind anything with it?

Will water damage/weaken belts?
Click to expand...

Most belts will not work with water, just like most sandpaper sheets will not work wet. You have to have materials rated for wet use. Either the glue breaks down or the belt/backing or both...but with the right belts it obviously works.
 
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