Started my 2x72 grinder build.

R

Randydb

Joined
Sep 27, 2014
Messages
1,108
Well,
I have been reading like mad and learning and fretting and sweating about making my own grinder. I have bought a vfd, 2hp motor and read a ton. Got my steel tubing this week and did some cutting and welding (well my bro in law welded) today.

I chose to do this style that Dan Comeau built. I basically copied his plans. http://dcknives.blogspot.ca/p/2-x-72-belt-grinder.html


Some pictures. First one is all the pieces. Second two are it welded up.

IMG_5162.jpgIMG_5170.jpgIMG_5169.jpg

Something I learned. I sweated over the hinge mechanism for the tracking wheel...absolutely unsure. Then I finally made the cuts and I can't believe how easy it turned out to be. Simple. The bolt I have in there right now is just to hold the hinge in place. I will put in a proper bolt later.

So far today it all went swimmingly well. I'm pretty excited.

I will post more pictures when I get some more done on it.
 
I followed the same plans and got a lot of advice from Dan, the one thing I would do different is change the plunger style tracking tension to more of a pivot arm. If you are interested come on over to Facebook and check out the DIY tools for the knifemaker group. Lots of discussion on projects like yours there.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
dmelton said:
I followed the same plans and got a lot of advice from Dan, the one thing I would do different is change the plunger style tracking tension to more of a pivot arm. If you are interested come on over to Facebook and check out the DIY tools for the knifemaker group. Lots of discussion on projects like yours there.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I actually drew up plans to make it a pivot arm instead of a plunger/pillar style. Then when I was sitting there getting ready to cut I decided it was simpler to just go with the pillar style (I also realized it wouldn't take much to change to the arm if I had problems later).

Can you tell me why you recommend the arm style?

I have only asked Dan a couple questions so far and he has been great. His tutorial and information on his site are amazing on their own.

I can't believe how much I have fretted over this and then how simple it was once I got going. I went back and forth over buying a grinder in a box or getting the basic frame built already all because I was sweating about the tracking hinge.

I may show up on facebook too. Could you please pm me the facebook link?
Thanks
Randy
 
The plunger for me was difficult to get "just right" I had a lot of problems with the shims. Eventually I welded on a 1/8 mild steel bar to one side. It's still not perfect but it's working. The pivot would have been easier.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
dmelton said:
I followed the same plans and got a lot of advice from Dan, the one thing I would do different is change the plunger style tracking tension to more of a pivot arm. If you are interested come on over to Facebook and check out the DIY tools for the knifemaker group. Lots of discussion on projects like yours there.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Is that the proper name?

I can't find it
 
S.Alexander said:
So far so good Randy. Im looking forward to seeing you complete this.
Click to expand...

Well Shane...after a year of waiting and watching craigslist and kijiji and ebay I finally decided to make one. It was a downer missing out on that lead you sent my way too. I can't believe I waited a year to get building. I was so apprehensive and it went so well yesterday. I guess I should wait until I get the wheels and all on and see how much work it takes shimming things up and getting it running straight before I talk about how easy it was.

Randy
 
dmelton said:
The plunger for me was difficult to get "just right" I had a lot of problems with the shims. Eventually I welded on a 1/8 mild steel bar to one side. It's still not perfect but it's working. The pivot would have been easier.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Dan seems like he put the plastic shims in and it has gone great for the last two years. I will get it together and then if I am struggling with getting things running straight I will make some changes and add an arm.
Randy
 
I forgot about this design. I think I might make me second and third grinders from this design. I would probably re engineer the tension mechanism, but pretty straight forward. I want a dedicated grinder for hogging at high speed, high horsepower, and a horizontal grinder.
 
Pleasanthill has a build going using 1/4 walled square tubing but he is using the arm tensioner. I think that would take up a lot of the play that is happening with the 3/16 walled tubing. He says it is a pretty nice firm fit. So maybe less monkeying around. On the other hand if things aren't quite square you don't have any play to make adjustments either.

Just a thought.
Randy
 
The thing I don't like about the pillar tensioner is my back. Reaching that far back and then having to push in a direct downward angle while reaching I could foresee aggravating an old back injury. I have a strong back but certain angles and exerting pressure are something I try to avoid these days especially while reaching. I would have to have the grinder low enough so I could keep my arms closer to my body and not raised as much as would be needed for mounting the grinder on a standard table. The slight difference in the pivoting arm like i'm using on mine uses different body motions and for me feels safer with my back.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top