Grinder in a box! DIY grinder kit

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Nathan,

Is the motor you used a 145tc(I think) frame? I have been looking at a lot of motors in the last 2 days and was assuming that only c faced motors would work. Ideally I want a 56c frame, the 145's have a 7/8" shaft and I have yet to find a drive wheel to fit a 7/8" shaft. I also found a 56J "jet pump" motor that has the same bolt pattern on the face as the 56c but a longer threaded shaft with no key way. I was thinking of getting it and cutting a key way.

Anyone have any suggestions? I was thinking I might be able to just mount the motor to the base plate and not necessarily have to have a c faced motor, anyone done it this way or plan to do it this way?

Thanks,
Nathan W.
 
Nathan,

I haven't setup one with only the base mount, but I have with only the face mount. I welded the main upright to the base for a little added rigidity. One thing that you will have to be careful of, is keeping the wheel on the motor perpendicular to the main upright. With the face mount, it's pretty much taken care of. Other than that, there's no reason why it won't work.

Jamie
 
I will continue looking and probably wait for a 56c frame. I have a little time to look because my wife won't totally ok the grinder build until I sell a motorcycle or 2 and maybe a gun or 2 :mad: and I'm kind of attached to my bikes and guns, but my desire to build knives is getting stronger daily :D
 
Nathan, that motor is a 56C frame. I got it off of ebay. It has some trouble at the lower ends, but hums along fine other than the slowest speeds.

--nathan
 
Seeing as how I want to do it right and do it once I will be sticking with buying a 2hp 3450rpm 3ph 56c frame and getting a vfd/phase converter. I just hope it doesn't take forever to find a decent deal on one.
 
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Doug, that one is actually from Beaumont from my KMG, but I think the one that Tracy sells is from Beaumont as well.

--nathan
 
Thanks to everybody who's emailed me. I've had a number of people share their pictures of the grinder build with me, finished examples can be found at http://www.polarbearforge.com/completed.htm. It's fun to see the variations that some people have used.

A few frequently asked questions.

I will ship internationally. The flat rate box is limited to 20 pounds, so it takes 3 boxes this way. I have found that it is still quite a bit cheaper than sending one 55# pound box. The shipping for Canada and Mexico is $80.85 (3 X $26.95) and for everywhere else is $130.35 (3 X $43.45).

I will also sell the platen setup invidually. Either the multi platen or the standard platen are $20 apiece with shipping still at $10.20 in the USA, $26.95 for Canada and Mexico, and $43.45 for everywhere else.

There will be no grinder kits shipping the week of April 5th. I will be in Alabama for Batson's Bladesmithing Symposium. I will have some kits with me, so if you'd like to see them first in person, this would be a good chance. You can also pick one up without shipping costs.

Jamie
 
I just got mine spinning, it's only set up with a small wheel attatchment for the moment (don't have the wheels for the platen yet, ran out of money:o)
I just did a quick assembly to give it a little test drive and be sure everything is :thumbup:, when I get some time I am going to disassemble it, and sandblast and paint the steel.

I had a minor alignment issue with the KMG small wheel unit, due to the short shaft on my motor I can't set the drive wheel out far enough to align with the small wheel unless the tooling arm is mounted in the work rest slot. Not really an issue since I will probably mount a work rest on the underside of the same tooling arm that the SWA is mounted on.

Tracking was a little unstable when I first ran it but I got a heavier spring for it at Home Depot and it improved a great deal.

Other than that it was a breeze to put together, and works very well. I made a few customizations that I will try to get some pics of soon.
I want to thank you again for producing this kit, it is a very solid and adaptable machine.
 
polarbearforge said:
Thanks to everybody who's emailed me. I've had a number of people share their pictures of the grinder build with me, finished examples can be found at http://www.polarbearforge.com/completed.htm. It's fun to see the variations that some people have used.

A few frequently asked questions.

I will ship internationally. The flat rate box is limited to 20 pounds, so it takes 3 boxes this way. I have found that it is still quite a bit cheaper than sending one 55# pound box. The shipping for Canada and Mexico is $80.85 (3 X $26.95) and for everywhere else is $130.35 (3 X $43.45).

I will also sell the platen setup invidually. Either the multi platen or the standard platen are $20 apiece with shipping still at $10.20 in the USA, $26.95 for Canada and Mexico, and $43.45 for everywhere else.

There will be no grinder kits shipping the week of April 5th. I will be in Alabama for Batson's Bladesmithing Symposium. I will have some kits with me, so if you'd like to see them first in person, this would be a good chance. You can also pick one up without shipping costs.

Jamie
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, now I know what I have to put aside to buy one it will be easier to do. Look forward to doing business with you in the future.
George
 
I can't wait till I can get a house and a garage so I have some where to put one of these!
 
Yeah, my motor shaft was a little short as well when laying it out for the KMG accessories, but it was long enough to fill about 3/4 of the hole in the drive wheel and secure down well with the allen screw. Any shorter and I'd have had some trouble.

If you're setting up your own platen and attachments, it won't be an issue.

--nathan
 
strahd71 said:
I can't wait till I can get a house and a garage so I have some where to put one of these!
Click to expand...

I know how you feel. Until I moved into a house with a garage, I was only able to do a few things in the basement. Needless to say, no garage of mine has yet to see a vehicle! :o

Jamie
 
I would say that this one is a bit more precise but I have no experience with either one. The build of this one looks more solid and leaves little room for the builder to make mistakes in putting it together. Just my opinion, but I think both are good.
 
I have both. I made a no weld grinder and I bought this one. This one is a better machine, more solid, quieter and more versatile, I believe.
 
This is a great kit, Just got mine today :thumbup:
Need to get a few bits and pieces and she will be up and running.

P.s Thanks for the international shipping.
 
Jamie,
I tried to email you yesterday but haven't heard back. I want to order a kit so you can get it out on friday.

Shoot me an email when you get a chance.

Thanks,
Nathan W
 
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