Platten setup for blador with contact wheel

D

DHackney

Joined
Jul 12, 2004
Messages
178
Hi folks,

I just purchased some used (exceptional condition) knife making equipment just the other day and have a question regarding setting up (fabricating) a platten for the Baldor buffer/grinder that was in the inventory.

The guy who owned it had converted the one side of the buffer to a 2x72
by attaching a 10" contact wheel and a tensioner to fit that belt size. My question - does anyone out there have any ideas on how one might go about fabricating a setup for a platten and a work rest for this configuration?

Right now the tensioner mounts to the bench which places the belt in a horizontal aspect.

Thanks a bunch,
Dana Hackney (newbie)
Monument, CO
 
Dana, welcome to BFC! :D

I'm not real familiar with Baldor grinders, can you post a pic?
If you decide to use the link above, talk to Rob Frink at Beaumont metal works. He's a nice guy and will help all he can.:eek:
 
Hi guys,

Thanks for the suggestions and the welcome. I am really excited about learning the knife making creaft/art. As a young teenager I did a lot of lapidary work, as well as some wood carving as an adult. As a hunter, I always had an appreciation for a good, well made knife, and thought that it would be great to be able make my own someday.

Anyway, Mike, I do not have picture of the Baldor setup but I'll do my best to describe it to you. Basically, it is a buffer on one side and a belt grinder on the other. The grinder is composed of a 8 or 10" contact wheel and a tension wheel, mounted on the bench about 18" behind the contact wheel. The 2x72 belt is attached to this set up.There is no working rest or platten. I would like to have a set up where the belt is situated vertically with a platten for flat grinding.

So, I need to figure a way (actually have someone do it for me as I'm not a fabricator or a welder) to build some sort of framework to accomodate the platten and, at the same time, rotate the belt 90 degrees to vertical.

Kind regards,
Dana Hackney
Monument, CO
 
Thanks, Dana. You're much better off with the slower speed vs 3450. With the contact wheel directly connected, the surface feet per minute of belt will be higher the larger that wheel.

Now, a suggestion: as opposed to spending the money to have a custom upright tensioning device fabricated along with a platen, perhaps a Blademaster or Coote could be considered. This would take a little bit of ingenuity in table construction, as the grinder would needs be installed with a belt. (actually, it could be installed with a coupler should you choose, if heights match, etc.) However, the benefit here would be that you could then choose a pulley attachment for the motor which would allow you to better regulate SFPM and not have a screaming fast grinder. This would, of course, depend on the motor shaft and the ability to acquie a pulley for it. The Coote comes with a platen built in, while still allowing for access to the contact wheel. Addition of a piece of pyroceram "glass" on the platen and you have a very nice setup. You may be able to adapt your existing wheel to the Coote if the bearing/shaft will match. I don't know if they'd supply a machine sans wheel, but it may be worth checking.

These are just rambling thoughts to create consideration for options to get the most out of the buffer/grinder that you have acquired. You can see the Coote at the following link. It may provide some ideas if naught else.
http://www.cootebeltgrinder.com/

Good luck getting it set up. Have fun.
 
Many thanks, fitzo. I just fired off an email to the folks at Coote. I also took a look at their website. This could be a really good working solution for me until I can afford a KMG or a Bader.

Also, would you happen to know of a good source for variable speed (110/220) motors?

Best regards,
Dana
 
DHackney said:
Also, would you happen to know of a good source for variable speed (110/220) motors?

Best regards,
Dana
Click to expand...

Your best bet would be an AC variable frequency drive, and the best prices on those(new) is this place. just scroll down, and look at 1, or 2 HP, on the top left. $290.00-$385.00. That's the whole setup.
http://www.dealerselectric.com/
 
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