Need new grinder - any for sale?

Burchtree

Burchtree

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Well, my old-school 1x48 grinder just isn't cutting it anymore. I want to do some hollow-grinding and ready to take a step up. Does anyone know of a good belt grinder for sale? Nothing too fancy -- maybe a Coote, or even a Grizzly 2x72 would be step up for me.
 
I use the Grizzly, and I love it. It's had one issue in the four years or so that I've had it. The on/off switch burned out. It was sort of fixed with some filing on the internals, but the replacement only costs $5 anyway. I think it's a good transitional grinder, going from a Sears model on our way to a Burr King or Bader. Even after I have one of the kickass ones, I'll still use this one. A great feature on it is the buffing arm.
 
I figure that's what I'll end up getting -- I've got a Grizzly showroom store about 1/4 miles from my house and I've checked it out a few times. My piece 'o' crap is really starting to wear me thin. It doesn't even have an on/off switch, I have to plug it in and unplug it when I'm done. :grumpy:

Do you do know if it's hard to rig up a variable-speed switch to it? My old one has one speed -- fast. It sucks when I've got a good grind-line and one mistake ruins it.
 
Rob Frink makes a slowdown wheel for the grizzly. It's a 4" wheel instead of the standard 8" contact wheel, so cuts belt speed by half. I have one and really like it. Not the same as a true variable speed setup, but it does work, and only takes me a coupla minutes to change it out. I do most of my convex and flat grinding witht hat on, only use the 8" for hollow and quick rough profiling.
 
One cool thing I've seen people do with the Grizzly is to use a separate motor on it, using a belt on the buffing side arbor to run it as slow as they want. It can be taken off when they want to use the main 1hp motor, or used with pulleys for stepping. It would also work to use a Grizzly that the motor has burned out on that one may have acquired for cheap.
Just an idea. Not mine, but a good one, I think.
 
Originally posted by Osbourn
One cool thing I've seen people do with the Grizzly is to use a separate motor on it, using a belt on the buffing side arbor to run it as slow as they want. It can be taken off when they want to use the main 1hp motor, or used with pulleys for stepping. It would also work to use a Grizzly that the motor has burned out on that one may have acquired for cheap.
Just an idea. Not mine, but a good one, I think.
Click to expand...


If you have to go to those lenghts, better to spring for a few extra $$ and get a good grinder. Coote is an excellent grinder for the $$. You supply the motor, but it's mounted in the right place, and won't interfere with hollow grinding. You can use a buffing wheel on it also.
http://www.cootebeltgrinder.com/
 
Is the 2x6x48 a decent grinder, or will I want a bigger wheel for hollow grinding?
 
Personally, I would say, get the 2X72"X10". 72" belts are available in way more grit sizes, they last longer, and run cooler than 48's too. You can always get the 8" later if you think you need it. I think they have one package that offers both the 8", and 10" wheels.
If you go with a Coote, get a 1-11/2HP TEFC, 1750 RPM AC motor, if you can't afford variable speed. A lot of people go with 3450RPM the first time out. It's way too fast.
Variable speed is the way to go, if you have the loot. No pulleys to mess with, just reach out and turn a dial, to make the belt speed whatever you want. :D. IMO, the only way to fly. ;)
 
damn. For just being a hobby, this sure gets expensive! I'm not going to be able to buy as much hunting, fishing, and camping gear. :D
 
The self pride you get from making a knife that you have designed
in your mind and created with your hands is unexplainable.
Once you have finished one you will be hooked. The money you have put into it will yeld personal gain down the road .:)
 
As etp777 proposed;

a slowdown wheel (4") will cut the speed in half and double the torque. It will take twice as much pressure to slow down the belt. You may not get this advantage from an electric variable speed control!

Just something to think about!

D
 
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