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I just picked up a 4x72 square wheel grinder that needs some work. it has a 3hp motor, is it overkill for knifemaking?
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Has anyone ever used a 4x72?
- Thread starter monger4142
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That's what I have, I just made a flat platen, with ceramic glass for a 2 in belt and run the belt in the center of the wider wheels. Not 100% but it has gotten me going. Plan is to make a much better flat platen but I expect to use it for a long time. Chris
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I've got one of those same machines. I turned the contact wheel down to 2" wide, and I still use the 4" wide platen/wheels. It works well enough. For a while it was my only big belt grinder, and I made quite a few good knives with it.
I'm assuming that 3hp motor is 3 phase, which mine was when I got it. At the time, I got rid of the motor and installed a 1.5 hp 1725 1 phase Leeson. The 10" drive wheel that comes stock on those grinders is way too fast for most knife work, so I had to install a 7" "slow-down" drive wheel, then drill and tap another hole in the front of the frame where the tooling arm bolts on, to extend the wheelbase.
The best solution would be to get a 3hp capable VFD to drive it with. A couple years back, I bought a 2 hp three phase Leeson motor and installed it on the old Square Wheel, and put the stock drive wheel back on. Since I run it with the VFD now, I can slow it down to any extent I need.
The tracking wheel on mine was a bit sloppy, and ultimately I ended up balancing and crowning an industrial caster and using that for the new tracking wheel. It runs a lot smoother now.
I don't really like the tooling attachment method on the tooling arm (where the wheel or platen fits on) and now that I have a metal lathe, I'm planning on fabricating an adapter so that attachments are easier to swap out.
I'm assuming that 3hp motor is 3 phase, which mine was when I got it. At the time, I got rid of the motor and installed a 1.5 hp 1725 1 phase Leeson. The 10" drive wheel that comes stock on those grinders is way too fast for most knife work, so I had to install a 7" "slow-down" drive wheel, then drill and tap another hole in the front of the frame where the tooling arm bolts on, to extend the wheelbase.
The best solution would be to get a 3hp capable VFD to drive it with. A couple years back, I bought a 2 hp three phase Leeson motor and installed it on the old Square Wheel, and put the stock drive wheel back on. Since I run it with the VFD now, I can slow it down to any extent I need.
The tracking wheel on mine was a bit sloppy, and ultimately I ended up balancing and crowning an industrial caster and using that for the new tracking wheel. It runs a lot smoother now.
I don't really like the tooling attachment method on the tooling arm (where the wheel or platen fits on) and now that I have a metal lathe, I'm planning on fabricating an adapter so that attachments are easier to swap out.
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- Jan 30, 2010
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- 493
thanks for the helpful responses, and yes its a 3 phase motor. It sounds like the exact same grinder you have. I looked into the VFDs for it and for the money I'd rather just get a smaller motor. the only VFD i have is rated for 1.5hp i think.
strangely enough the grinder actually came with a 2" wide 8" serrated contact wheel, in addition to the 4" platen and contact wheel.
I don't like the attachment method either. one of these days I need to break down and just buy a brand new grinder frame and use all these parts I have.
strangely enough the grinder actually came with a 2" wide 8" serrated contact wheel, in addition to the 4" platen and contact wheel.
I don't like the attachment method either. one of these days I need to break down and just buy a brand new grinder frame and use all these parts I have.
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- Oct 20, 2008
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Have you looked at this drive, from this store?
http://www.factorymation.com/Products/FM50_230V/FM50-203-C.html
I have this same one. It's great, and factorymation has the best prices and good service. I had a problem with my drive once, and they sent me a new one. You do have to protect if from dust. Mine is the heart of my shop, runs two grinders, a power hammer, and a lathe right now.
For $196, it's hardly more than a smaller motor would cost. And then, you can run anything in your shop at 3hp or less. Just sayin'.
http://www.factorymation.com/Products/FM50_230V/FM50-203-C.html
I have this same one. It's great, and factorymation has the best prices and good service. I had a problem with my drive once, and they sent me a new one. You do have to protect if from dust. Mine is the heart of my shop, runs two grinders, a power hammer, and a lathe right now.
For $196, it's hardly more than a smaller motor would cost. And then, you can run anything in your shop at 3hp or less. Just sayin'.
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- Jan 30, 2010
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- 493
Is yours this old? It has a different system than the newer ones for changing wheels. pita to get off as well as the drive wheel.