Grinder mounting question, what height?

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Oct 21, 2006
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So.. my coote came in the mail today ! One of the accessories I ordered with it didnt make it, but it isnt needed to run it. Everything else is here now, with the motor wired up etc. I now have a general question which search on the forum wasnt helping me out with... What height should I ideally be mounting the coote at relative to my body to get the most use out of hollow, and flat grinding, and the 9" disc attached to it?

Should the grinding surface I intend to use most be about elbow / hip height? I'm going to be buliding a new stand just for the grinder, not using an exsisting workbench, so I can put it anywhere I want right now.

coote.jpg
 
I cant answer your question, I dont have a real great grinder like the one on your photo, However I will toss out to you some advice based only on something that I did wrong and really wish I would have known about a head of time.

Do you see in your photo how you have a supporting block of wood right under the contact wheel?

I did this same thing and on every single knife I have made I have wish I had moved the whole grinder over a few inches so that the contact wheel was spinning out over the end of the workbench.

The way I have mine mounted, (as is seen above) there is just not a lot of play room under the belt, and also there is a constant problem of grindings pileing up to the point where they start to get in the way of the work.

Also, I use my belt grinder to sand wood and other handle materials and then later when I grind on steel I always get a very stinky fire going...smells the whole shop and my clothes up.
 
Aye, I intend to mount it with the wheel off the edge of the bench / stand I'm going to make for it. That's not even a solid block of wood it's attached to right now, just a base that was in the shipping carton to keep it from breaking through.
 
Stand in front of the grinder and the workrest should be about your elbows. That will be comfortable, it is most preferred by knifemakers that I know. You will need to experiment first before building your stand so you will know the exact high. Hope this was of help. Have a safe and outstanding day in the shop.
 
Justin, did you try grinding on my KMG??? We are around the same height, I like grinding at chest height.
If thats the belt I gave you??? You will need a longer one. Did you notice the belt adjustment system I have on the KMG?????
 
IG means the drive belt, yeah i'll need a longer one, but for the moment being i can set it up with this one to at least grind stuff >_<
 
I'm kinda like IG on this topic. I like grinding a bit higher for some reason. I can still lock my elbows and lean into the grinder if that's what i need to do. Maybe just goof with it until you come up with something that works good for you. Congrats by the way! I hope she performs as good as she looks!:thumbup: -Matt-
 
Crap, that is like asking how tall a woman should be -- It all depends on which operation you are trying to perform.

Jim A.
 
Ah well, jsut built myself a table for it, if I need it higher I'll just put the table up on cement blocks or something =) Table vibrates a little bit more than I thought it would when running, so when i get it into my shop I may bolt it to the wall behind it as well (4' wide, 26" deep 31" tall)

coote1.jpg
 
I have had my KMG for a few weeks now and just bumped it up another 3" the other day. I found myself working at the top of the platen. Now I am about middle and have room up and down if needed.
 
I have had my KMG for a few weeks now and just bumped it up another 3" the other day. I found myself working at the top of the platen. Now I am about middle and have room up and down if needed.

Great Job on the setup. When you get time check out my setup in my shop. Your look great to me. A+-------------:thumbup:
 
Justin.Mercier,
I just wanted to tell you how great I think the work bench is that you made.
I think once you mount this bench to the wall you will be very happy for many years to come.
 
Ive been welding up a pedestal for my big grinder. Ive spent about $200 on it but its very nice. It has a hydraulic bottle jack inside which gives me 8 1/2" of adjustable travel and if thats not enough the jack is threaded for more adjustment. When its done I can post some pics if anybodys interested.
 
Ive been welding up a pedestal for my big grinder. Ive spent about $200 on it but its very nice. It has a hydraulic bottle jack inside which gives me 8 1/2" of adjustable travel and if thats not enough the jack is threaded for more adjustment. When its done I can post some pics if anybodys interested.

I would love to see it Bruce.
 
Ive been welding up a pedestal for my big grinder. Ive spent about $200 on it but its very nice. It has a hydraulic bottle jack inside which gives me 8 1/2" of adjustable travel and if thats not enough the jack is threaded for more adjustment. When its done I can post some pics if anybodys interested.

Send them in Bruce.:thumbup:
 
I have mine mounted at just above my beltline. I grind mainly sitting down on a large barstool...no idea why or when i started, but it works for me. When i sit, that puts the blade at about chest height, just right for looking down as i grind.

I totally agree about the contact wheel location. Ive ended up nailing flashing under where the belt runs because ive had some nasty iron grinding balls turn into burning heaps of metal from sparks when hogging. The flashing is aluminum and slippery, and nothing seems to stick to it like it did wood.
 
beings that you already have your coote mounted, you really dont need my opinion. But, I do not like the worktable too low cause if you want to peek around to look at either side while grinding you have to bend over. Chest height is money for me. Bruce, that is a pretty awesome idea using the bottle jack!
 
This thread is making me feel warm and fuzzy all over.New grinders,benches and ideas.Have fun with it Justin,try different heights to establish a good biological rest position.I grind at about midchest but that would probably be your belly button ;) :D


Ive been welding up a pedestal for my big grinder. Ive spent about $200 on it but its very nice. It has a hydraulic bottle jack inside which gives me 8 1/2" of adjustable travel and if thats not enough the jack is threaded for more adjustment. When its done I can post some pics if anybodys interested.

That's how an MS operates huh? :) Great Idea bruce:thumbup:
 
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