Surface Grinder Restoration & Belt Conversion WIP

Pat...............

Maybe eBay or whatever Craigslist is up north.

Might save some time/gasoline for you

C
 
Thanks Corey. I do have 3 smaller spring that might work. I'll give those a try before going on the forkspring hunt.
 
Patrice,

The one I used was a 1" fork spring (I think). The smaller springs you have will likely work just as well but if you have any issues I would be glad to stop by one of the local shops and pick one up for you. I do have to go into town about once a week for corn and copper line. :)
 
*****thinks this over*****

H'mmmmmmm

Corn and copper line

*****thinks harder*****

starts to sweat

Just doesn't get it

Leaves scratching his head in confusion and dismay (is this what happens when you start to age? I mean you don't get the jokes.)
 
Yep B&G, that's it. :) Truth be known I only live 4 1/2 miles from town and it is like "pulling teeth" to get me to go there.
 
Go figure...............

I live in the nation's third largest city, how would I even begin to get that joke? I appreciate the help B&G

*****sighs*****
 
I wanted to give an update, even if only a small one.

I finally got my contact wheel from Contact Rubber.



Looks great and I can't wait to try it on. I think that what I like the most about it is the little “Made in the USA” sticker on it. :D :thumbup:

Still some way to go and as I posted in “Around the Grinder”, not gonna happen for a little while but thinking about it is a welcomed distraction from everyday life.

Now I return you to RangerBob “real” conversion. ;)
 
Baby steps. ;)

Almost finished the idler wheel bracket. Only thing left to do is the tracking knob.



Starting to look like something. I can't wait to give it a try.



Thanks for looking.
 
I finished the tracking mechanism...



... and gave it a whirl....bad idea! :(

Belt slid down between the wheel and arm and disintegrated in a shower of grit.

3 things wrong (at least):
1) The tubing I used for the arm doesn’t have a tight enough fit. There is a bit of play. I need something with more rigidity. I thought the spring would make up for that which brings me to my second problem.
2) Spring is not large enough and not enough tension or too much and I can’t compress it.
3) I need to offset the arm more so the belt centres on the idler wheel. Now it is running a bit to the side, probably part of the reason the belt slid down towards the arm.

All of these mean pretty much redoing the whole thing I am afraid. Bummer. :(
 
Probably a poor remark but don't be afraid to turn it several revolutions by hand to see what sort of basic line up you have. When I got my 2X72 belt grinder, I just plugged it in and snapped the switch to the on position. Yes it did have a belt on it. I ended up taking off the corner of the 8" wheel. Frank
 
Thanks Frank. I did turn it by hand before I turned it on but is was ok. Well the alignment wasn't perfect but the belt tracked ok, everything changed at the high rpm speed. :(
 
Your design appears to be "true" Patrice. The spring does have to be pretty darn stout for that kind of set up. I had to make a lever for mine to compress the spring. Just a suggestion, try flipping the switch on and off so the motor can't reach full rpm while you try to assess the problem.
 
I don't see why you'd need to replace the entire arm. Wouldn't the play settle in one spot once there was tension on it and stabilize? You might need to tweak things a bit so the belt is running in the center of the tracking wheel. I don't really know but I'd bet you're closer than you think. :thumbup:
 
I think you need about 60-80lbs of spring pressure to be optimal. Mine is running right about 60lb. Next thing I think is important is that the axes of your wheels need to be parallel. If there is any twist in the belt, it is likely going to track poorly. You have a couple options for getting the belt to align on the contact wheel; you could shim the contact wheel out or you could lean the arm back slightly. It doesn't look like you can really move the collar over because you are up against a bolt or something there. I agree with Nathan on the spring pressure taking out the play in the arm.

Bob
 
Thanks guys. I guess I need to address the spring problem first then and see how close it gets me. Gonna go hunting for a motorcycle fork spring. I'll let you know what I find.
 
Hello Patrice,

www.mcmaster-carr.com

Get two of these 20 lb gas springs. Part # 9416K11
Get the associated ball ends. Part # 9512K73
Get the associated ball sockets. Part # 9416K74

Mount on each side of your arm and you will have 40lbs of force (40 lbs is plenty). I've used these on my 2x72 grinders for a few years (but use singles at 40lbs) and recently added one to my surface grinder with great results.

Eric Fleming
www.flemingknives.com
 
efleming said:
Hello Patrice,

www.mcmaster-carr.com

Get two of these 20 lb gas springs. Part # 9416K11
Get the associated ball ends. Part # 9512K73
Get the associated ball sockets. Part # 9416K74

Mount on each side of your arm and you will have 40lbs of force (40 lbs is plenty). I've used these on my 2x72 grinders for a few years (but use singles at 40lbs) and recently added one to my surface grinder with great results.

Eric Fleming
www.flemingknives.com
Click to expand...

He may be able to find them in Canada but, he can't get them from McMaster; they don't ship outside the U.S.

Bob
 
Thanks Eric, I will order a couple of these as you suggested and one for my KMG while I am at it. I think I had saved a thread you did about that a little while ago and meant to do the same but completely forgot. :o

Bob, I have a few friends I can have this shipped to and pick it up myself when I venture south of the border. Which I end up doing for a lot of stuff, either because they don't ship here like you said or that shipping is just too expensive. And don't get me started on stuff they deemed “dangerous” (Like gun handle checkering files :rolleyes:) or custom fees as high as the price of what you are ordering. :grumpy:

Anyway, thanks again guys for your help. I am also making progress on the spring option. I figure the more options I have the better.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top