Removing spark shield from Ameribrade surface grinder attachment?

[Leon Husock]

I want to use my SGA to do fullers on swords, but the spark shield on one end of the surface grinder limits how long a piece can be continuously ground. I can't think of a good way to solve this other than cutting the spark shield off, but that seems like an extremely inelegant solution. Does anyone have any better ideas? Has anyone else run into this problem? Am I missing something here?

 

[Scotchmon]

I want to use my SGA to do fullers on swords, but the spark shield on one end of the surface grinder limits how long a piece can be continuously ground. I can't think of a good way to solve this other than cutting the spark shield off, but that seems like an extremely inelegant solution. Does anyone have any better ideas? Has anyone else run into this problem? Am I missing something here?

I do not have one, yet but I looked at a pic of the SGA and it does look like the guard would need to be cut off. I’d imagine it would be sort of painful have to cut on such a fine tool.

 

[Leon Husock]

I do not have one, yet but I looked at a pic of the SGA and it does look like the guard would need to be cut off. I’d imagine it would be sort of painful have to cut on such a fine tool.

Pretty much exactly how I feel! I wish there were a way to make it easily removable and reattachable or something, for when I want to have the spark shield there.

 

[Scotchmon]

Pretty much exactly how I feel! I wish there were a way to make it easily removable and reattachable or something, for when I want to have the spark shield there.

I have a Mastery package in my shopping cart. Added the SGA. Ouch!!
Then again, it is some fine equipment that I’d be proud to own .
Maybe over the top for a hobbyist, but …….

 

[David Mary]

I don’t know the unit nor have I looked at pictures but my questions are as follows:

Do you need the spark shield at all?

If not, why don’t you just cut it off? I assume your grinder is meant to be used, not as an investment portfolio.

If you do, could you make, or have made, a custom part that is equivalent but without the spark shield? That way you could swap it in when needed?

 

[Jeffinn]

Are you talking about the shield on the right hand side of the grinder? I’d have to go out in the garage and look at mine but it would seem like that shield could be easily removed.
Jeff

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

It certainly looks easy enough to remove. Even if you have to permanently remove it, you should be able to make one that replaces it and is removable with a few screws.

 

[Joshua Fisher]

Unless they have changed the design I believe you can just unbolt the spark guard I have a friend with that exact SGA that did that for his. The tricky part is swapping to a different style of wheel to grind the fullers, you may find it easier to just grind the fullers in using a work rest and small wheel attachment. You could either make a simple grinding jig to hold a sword that’s already profiled or grind the fullers into a rectangular bar then profile the bar into the final shape after fullers are established

 

[Jeffinn]

Unless they have changed the design I believe you can just unbolt the spark guard I have a friend with that exact SGA that did that for his. The tricky part is swapping to a different style of wheel to grind the fullers, you may find it easier to just grind the fullers in using a work rest and small wheel attachment. You could either make a simple grinding jig to hold a sword that’s already profiled or grind the fullers into a rectangular bar then profile the bar into the final shape after fullers are established

You piqued my interest so I bundled up at went out to the garage (it’s 6 degrees out there today). My guard is bolted on and can be easily removed.
It might be different depending on when the grinder was made.
Jeff

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

That is how I thought it was attached.

 

[Leon Husock]

You piqued my interest so I bundled up at went out to the garage (it’s 6 degrees out there today). My guard is bolted on and can be easily removed.
It might be different depending on when the grinder was made.
Jeff

Damn, you may well be right! It's too cold right now to go look but somehow I never noticed those (unless they changed the design and I can't imagine why they would). You may have saved me mutilating my SGA.