I posted previously about some design feedback for my new grinder (many thanks to the feedback you'll provided). Well, here is the completed build. I think for my first grinder build it turned out great. There are a couple things I would like to modify if/when I make another one - both to make it better as well as easier to build. But for a first prototype I have no complaints - it runs great. My nephew uses a KMG and says he would rather have this one!
Right now it runs with about 1mm belt wobble which you can really only notice on slow speeds (no jerking on startup or anything - pretty smooth otherwise). I'm still working on getting it adjusted to be wobble free though - I won't give up! It does run nearly vibration free though - I'm sure the Baldor motor had a little something to do with that!
I have yet to build a tool rest - I'm going to make a quick fixed rest today and an adjustable one after Christmas.
Here's the motor side. The dropdown coming off the tension arm hooks onto the base when the arm is fully compressed. This keeps the arm down while changing belts.
Here's the belt side. The platen wasn't really adjusted right in this pic - it should be pushed in a little more and the tension arm would be higher.
Here's the platen. If I ever get a mill I'll clear out between the angle holes for full angle adjustability.
Here's the tracking mechanism. I originally wanted a slightly different mechanism design - but this was easier to make without a mill.
On/Off speed control mounted up on the wall:
Here it is in horizontal mode. No extra mechanism needed other than the support post that screws into one of the tool arm tightening holes. Built the bench this weekend to hold it. The grinder itself is mounted through the top plywood through some 3/16" angle iron welded onto the stand.
Better pic of the underside when horizontal. I could have changed the dimensions somewhat and made it not need a hole in the table - but that would have raised the belt height while in the horizontal mode and wasn't something I desired. I wanted to keep the belt height when horizontal the same as the middle of the platen when vertical.
Last shot in horizontal mode.
Right now it runs with about 1mm belt wobble which you can really only notice on slow speeds (no jerking on startup or anything - pretty smooth otherwise). I'm still working on getting it adjusted to be wobble free though - I won't give up! It does run nearly vibration free though - I'm sure the Baldor motor had a little something to do with that!
I have yet to build a tool rest - I'm going to make a quick fixed rest today and an adjustable one after Christmas.
Here's the motor side. The dropdown coming off the tension arm hooks onto the base when the arm is fully compressed. This keeps the arm down while changing belts.
Here's the belt side. The platen wasn't really adjusted right in this pic - it should be pushed in a little more and the tension arm would be higher.
Here's the platen. If I ever get a mill I'll clear out between the angle holes for full angle adjustability.
Here's the tracking mechanism. I originally wanted a slightly different mechanism design - but this was easier to make without a mill.
On/Off speed control mounted up on the wall:
Here it is in horizontal mode. No extra mechanism needed other than the support post that screws into one of the tool arm tightening holes. Built the bench this weekend to hold it. The grinder itself is mounted through the top plywood through some 3/16" angle iron welded onto the stand.
Better pic of the underside when horizontal. I could have changed the dimensions somewhat and made it not need a hole in the table - but that would have raised the belt height while in the horizontal mode and wasn't something I desired. I wanted to keep the belt height when horizontal the same as the middle of the platen when vertical.
Last shot in horizontal mode.
