- Joined
- Apr 26, 2007
- Messages
- 957
I finally finished setting up my new grinder in my tremendously messy garage!
It's a Kalamazo 2FS 2x48 powered by a Marathon Electric 1.5HP 1 phase motor. The twist link drive belt is kept tensioned on the step pulleys using a cantilever motor mount design I lovingly stole from British Blades. Everything is mounted on a scrap bit of Formica-laminated particle board. While the contraption currently sits on one of those folding "portable workbenches", it could be considered portable despite its 60+ pound bulk.
The grinder runs smoothly and true. Adjustment of tracking is a little tricky, involving manually rotating the idler axle around the tension plunger. The platen is also noticeably wider than the belt, making plunges a bit soft. I had to take the toolrest off since I need to work on straightening it out, but it should do nicely. I also took the safety shield off since it makes adjusting the platen and changing belts a four-handed chore.
I haven't done a lot of grinding since I just set it up, but it's a heck of a lot better than my HF 1x30 and faster than draw filing. I'm happy with it!
Total outset for the device:
Grinder body - $240
Motor - $170
Pulleys - $28
Twist link - $25
Hardware ~ $20 (mostly for the angle iron and perforated square tube)
Total - $483
It's a Kalamazo 2FS 2x48 powered by a Marathon Electric 1.5HP 1 phase motor. The twist link drive belt is kept tensioned on the step pulleys using a cantilever motor mount design I lovingly stole from British Blades. Everything is mounted on a scrap bit of Formica-laminated particle board. While the contraption currently sits on one of those folding "portable workbenches", it could be considered portable despite its 60+ pound bulk.
The grinder runs smoothly and true. Adjustment of tracking is a little tricky, involving manually rotating the idler axle around the tension plunger. The platen is also noticeably wider than the belt, making plunges a bit soft. I had to take the toolrest off since I need to work on straightening it out, but it should do nicely. I also took the safety shield off since it makes adjusting the platen and changing belts a four-handed chore.
I haven't done a lot of grinding since I just set it up, but it's a heck of a lot better than my HF 1x30 and faster than draw filing. I'm happy with it!
Total outset for the device:
Grinder body - $240
Motor - $170
Pulleys - $28
Twist link - $25
Hardware ~ $20 (mostly for the angle iron and perforated square tube)
Total - $483
