I've GOT MY COOTE!!!!!

dfarmerknives · Apr 9, 2005

My new Coote grinder got here yesterday.

I have been sick as a dog for about 4 days, ( I have almost coughed up a lung full of Tennessee allergy crap) but I did manage to get it mounted on the bench in the shop. I haven't hooked the motor to it yet. I want to do that when I feel more human. I can't wait to put some steel to it!!!

dfarmerknives · Apr 9, 2005

I've got it set up today. I am getting a little bit of wobble in the top. Any Ideas? I have checked the tightening of all bolts and mounting hardware. I have aligned the pulleys. The belt is tight. It is running at about 1745 RPM. Max is 2200. I am at a loss.

Ivan Campos · Apr 10, 2005

Hello, David

Congratulations on your purchase.
New machines are aways like this, don´t worry, and belt grinders seems particularly prone to need some adjustments, to my experience (I am on my 5th belt grinder, now).

Matt Shade · Apr 10, 2005

Congratulations on the Coote! I love mine!

Couple of questions.

Where is the wobble at? Does the machine move side to side, or is the belt wobbling?

If the whole machine seems to sway, then how is it mounted to the bench/how heavy is the bench?
The base on the coote aint real big or wide. You need something pretty substantial and rigid to bolt it to. If the bench itself is flimsy the whole machine can vibrate, which is going to show up most at the top.
I've got mine bolted to a white oak 1X4 (full 1" thick, not planed) thats laminated with another oak 1X4 (glue and screws). That runs front to back on the bench and is bolted onto 2X4's that are bolted across the front and back edges of the workbench. The whole thing is really rigid and spreads the load over a wide area.

If the wobble is in the belt. Then I'd look over the tracking pulley a little bit. Maybe its not set quite right, adjusting the tracking also affects the tension a little bit. You also might try a different belt and see if you still have the same problem.

I'm really happy with my coote. I have to adjust the tracking a little bit to switch from the contact wheel to the platen, but that doens't really matter, and it does run nice and true.

dfarmerknives · Apr 10, 2005

Thanks Ivan and Matt.

The wobble appears to be in the "top" of the machine, making the whole table wobble.

I had the same thought as you. I think my table is too light. Right now, this is what I have to work with. What I did is toenail the table top into the wall and used heavy gauge wire and anchored the top of the machine to the wall. This took out 95% of the movement. As the money progresses, I will build another table. The wire, with a twist tightening mechanism built in (similar to how my grandmother tightened up her clothesline) works. It does not throw the belt out of line. The tracking is perfect.

It will take getting used to a "real" grinder. I tried to finish a couple of blades I had been working on my old grinders with and chewed up the edge! I started with fresh steel and made a convex grind spear point utility. Can't let the excitement get the best of me!!!!!!

Chiro75 · Apr 11, 2005

David, I have the same grinder, so if you have any questions feel free to drop me an email. With mine, what I've noticed is some "wobble" at the low speeds. I don't think it's the pulleys. One is one of Rob Frink's and the other is Norm's, which I hear don't get balanced like Rob's do, but I've noticed that at my medium and high speed settings the wobble goes away. If I push down on my motor, it seems to go away at the low speed, too, so I think my motor bounces, which is what's causing it. I will come up with something to put some more tension on the belt, but trey that and see if you find the same thing.

Robert Hankins · Apr 11, 2005

Ditto:
Try fiddling around with the belt tensioner at the top. Loosen the "Hold" bolt at the top and adjust OUT the bolt with the spring at the bottom of the idler wheel. This will tighten your belt...just be sure to "NOT OVERTIGHTEN" or it will make things worse.
START OUT WITH THE BELT SORT OF LOOSE and then work it tighter. If I remember correctly I had the same prob 7yrs ago when mine was new. Belt was too tight and made it wobble.

Don't waste your time unless you are willing to make a good solid place on the bench for this thing to sit.
Mine is 2" thick maple butcher block with an 1/4 aluminum plate underneath for the bolts using Nyloc nuts. That eliminated 90% of my problems...rest was done but proper belt tensioning.

Still has a little wobble as you get what you pay for...IE I'm getting a KMG next time.

dfarmerknives · Apr 13, 2005

Right now I have two cables anchoring the top to the studs in the wall. I am going to run it that way until I can redo the table. I am not getting any wierd noices and the belt tracks fine. When I redo the table I will try your trick, Blinker. Thanks. Chiro75, I will give you a shout if I have any more trouble. I will take some pics and post them so you pros can check them out. Thanks a mil.