grinder design questions.

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mushroomgrey

Joined
Apr 4, 2008
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Hi all.

Im designing my own 2" by 72" grinder and i have a few questions.

First. what is the general width of the platen compared to the actual belt width?
Second What kind of profile should there be on the outside edge of the platen? ( Square or round?)
Thirdly how much wider should the contact wheel and the tracking wheels be compared to belt width?
Also what radii work better on the tracking and drive wheels respectively that tracks the best?

Any helpfull hints would be greatly appreciated guys... :)
 
The platen on most 2 x 72 grinders is exactly 2 inches wide just like the belts. If you want to track the belt over the edge that's fine but you should also be able to use both sides of the platen without having to adjust the belt, so I wouldn't suggest making your platen any wider than 2". The edges of your platen could be radiused, have an angle ground on them, or they could be sharp corners. That is going to depend on your personal knife making style and how sharp you want you plunges to be. You could leave one side of the platen with sharp corners and bevel the other side giving you more grinding options. I would say contact wheels should also be 2" wide. You don't want to be grinding your blades on metal or polyurethane, only the belt. I don't see any reason to have platens or contact wheels be any more than 2".

As far as tracking goes, the drive wheel on my KMG is smooth, but the tension/tracking wheel has a slight crown. I don't know the exact amount, but you could email Rob Frink at Beaumont Metal Works to find out.

Good luck with the project!
 
I can't remember for sure, but I think the Machinery Handbook recommends 1/64 inch per inch of width for crowned pullies. That would make a 2 inch wheel about 1/32 bigger in the middle than the ends.
 
The tracking wheel I made for my KMG clone is 3.500" diameter, and has a 7.875" radius in the 2.00" width of the wheel and works great.
 
Good to know. One less question on my build as well
 
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