Surface grinder???????????

Mace

Mace

Joined
Apr 8, 2003
Messages
2,092
I just found a 1942 Norton surface grinder.....The guy wants to get rid of it and only wants a couple off hundred bucks. The thing is huge....at least 2000 lbs. Space in my shop is at a premium and I'm having a hard time deciding if I should get this beast. It's hydraulic and has a 6x18" brown and sharp mag on it. Is this something I can convert to take belts?
What do you guys think? Should I grab it?
Thanks
Mace
 
If that 6x18 magnetic chuck is fine pole, that alone would be worth the money.
Why convert it to belt? I've used a Chavalier for over a decade and wouldn't dream of changing it from a Norton 32AA wheel.
Bottom line is that it's your call.
 
I'd snatch it up if I had that oppurtunity. I agree with Kit, I wouldn't bother changing from stone to belt. Hydraulics are really nice to work with.

Worst case, spend a couple hundred dollars, keep it, and sell it for more... ;)

Jamie
 
there's always space for tools, Mace. ;)


somehow if you want it, you can make it happen.
 
Sounds like a hell of a deal to me. Tell you what, since you're tight on space I'll trade you for my somewhat smaller and easier to use manual Yuasa 6"x12" that I paid quite a bit more for. I'll ship you mine, you ship me yours, even Steven kind of deal. That way you won't have to mess with all those messy hydraulics and stuff and the cute little Yuasa will fit nicely in your shop. It's a fine little grinder and probably still weighs 800 lbs. Much easier to learn on too as there's not all those extra buttons and knobs to learn. I'll even throw in a 4"x8" Walker electromagnetic chuck besides the 6"x12" regular mag chuck that's on it now. Walker electromags are cool!

Now how do I tell my wife I've gotta knock a wall out of the shop I just built eleven months ago? Hmmm.......

John
 
I'll mention this too: It will stick out from a wall about 45" and the table is about 52" wide. It is also a three phase and no coolant tank or pump. I don't know much about these machines and am wondering what else you can do with it besides make stuff flat. I know I can use it for cleaning up damascus.
What are the good points of a machine like this.....the advantages of having one......I just don't want it to end up being a 2000lb. chunck of steel with piles of crap on it. Everything else in my shop can be moved around and this would be a permanent fixture. :confused: I do like old tools and have quite a few that I use in my shop, and this one is cool :D with all kinds a spinny things and whirly gigs.......and the magnet is about one of the coolest things ever....I'm sure hours of entertainment can be had sticking stuff to it! :D
I might have to get it just for that. ;)
Well I think this requiers some more thought over another beer out in the shop with a tape to see where it might go.
More input would be great.
Thanks
Mace
 
Want my opinion, Mace? Too effin big for a knifemaker. Look around for a good used Boyar-Schultz 612, or Harig. These SGs have a small footprint, and they really do an excellent job. If you get one with 3-phase, just buy a new motor in 240 1ph, and convert it out. You'll have essentially the perfect knifemaker's grinder at a fraction of the cost of a new one.

Use a really good stone and forget the coolant. Its a horrible mess. If you are taking too much off at a time, you'll heat up the piece to much regardless of coolant. I've been a full-time machinist and industrial mechanic for years, and every one of my friends in the business never use coolant unless they are doing production runs, and have power-fed grinders. Manuals just don't need it. Rig yourself up a dedicated dust collector hood and go for it. Take off no more than .002 at a time and you'll achieve flatness in no time!
 
Mace: I have a 1940 Norton hydraulic SG just like the one that you are considering. These are excellent surface grinders. Before you decide on weather or not to get it; kick yourself in the butt a few times just to see how you like it. because if you don't get it for that price you'll be kicking yourself every day for the next 20 years.

You'll need to get a phase converter for the three phase motors. It has a 1 hp spindle motor and a 3/4 hp hydraulic motor. ( make sure they are wired for low voltage) Oh! 1 phase converter (2 or 3 hp) will work for both motors.

P.s. that power feed on the machine is a very nice feature.

hope this helps. Jerry
 
Mace said:
I'll mention this too: It will stick out from a wall about 45" and the table is about 52" wide. It is also a three phase and no coolant tank or pump. I don't know much about these machines and am wondering what else you can do with it besides make stuff flat. I know I can use it for cleaning up damascus.
...........................Mace
Click to expand...

With the proper sine plate you can taper tangs in just minutes.

You can get a coolant tank, and pump from MSC relatively cheap.

The best part is, in conversations with other makers, when it comes around to tools etc, all you have to do is mention that you have a 2000# surface grinder. All conversation will stop, and offers to buy you drinks will commence. You will be the envy of your peers!;) :D
 
Mace , You dont have to go to all that trouble of buying a surface grinder just to make a knife for little Ol' me :)
 
O.K. I took a tape and tried to find a spot for it in my shop....I'm sure I could get it in but it would take some major shop re-arranging.

Last Sat. I went to an auction...met a guy that said he had a surface grinder....went today to look at it.....it's a Sanford. It's smaller than the Norton and has manual feeds. It appears to be a newer vintage but is also a three phase. Is anyone familiar with this SG? What kind of things should I know about changing motors(ie.would it just be a swap out?)?
He wants a bit more than the other guy with the Norton.
I don't know what to do, would this kind of thing be worth my floor space?
What do you all use your surface grinders for?
NEED HELP!!!!! :confused: :confused: :confused:
All replies welcome.
Thanks for the help.
Mace
 
Buy the big one!
You can use them to make your tangs flat and square. A must for folders, to get the backspacer to the right thickness and the blade flat. Damascus barstock can be trued up and made square.

2x4's are cheap! Make room if you have to.
 
Any surface grinder is better than no surface grinder. The bigger one will be much more rigid and rigidity is more important in a surface grinder than in any other machine. The hydraulic automatic feeds are a big plus and while I haven't even used my Yuasa much yet, I already wish I had the feeds. Because of the slow repetitive nature of running a surface grinder the power feeds not only make it less tedious, but can often improve your finish and help hold tollerances better.

John
 
Look at it this way. You are getting it cheap.....very cheap. Get it home and get it in decent working order, and resell it at a very nice profit. Vintage power equipment is a big deal now, as those with more money than sense are buying the stuff as collector pieces. Kinda like engineers buying tractors.....I have never figured that out either...

Go buy the damn thing. If I can find a way to get it here I will give you double what you pay for it.

Doc
 
Mace: On the Norton I don't think it would be that easy to change the motors. Plus it would probably be more expensive to buy two single phase motors (spindle motors are especially expensive because they are made to be perfectly balanced to avoid vibration) than it would be to buy one phase converter.( plus you can build your own phase converter if you are handy)

My two cents, Jerry
 
I am with Jerry on the converter. You can scrounge the stuf to make it, and you can find good working plans for them out here in cyberland...

for a couple of hundred bucks how can you go wrong?


Doc
 
AAAHHHHHHHH!!!
Now I've found a nice little mill for $400.00!!!!
NEED MORE CASH!!!! And a bigger SHOP!
Anyone want to buy some knives? :D
Mace
 
Mace said:
AAAHHHHHHHH!!!
Now I've found a nice little mill for $400.00!!!!
NEED MORE CASH!!!! And a bigger SHOP!
Anyone want to buy some knives? :D
Mace
Click to expand...
What kind of handles on them???? :eek: :eek:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top