Treadmill converted to homemade variable speed grinder

That's too cool. I've been thinking of using an old treadmill to make a drum sander, but hadn't thought of a grinder. I have seen a couple people just switch out the standard treadmill belt with a custom sanding belt for woodworking.
 
I also have a one horse treadmill motor on my metal cutting bandsaw,works great,had it longer than th one one on my grinder... I dont do any hog grinding with it though,thats what the single speed grinder is for...
Bruce
 
This thread got me thinking about how little I actually use my table saw. I'm thinking of pulling the motor and using it on my NWGS. At least it'll be getting some use then...... or am I really as crazy as the other half says?! :)
 
go mike said:
How is the speed change with a treadmill motor/control? I have a treadmill motor set up as a disc grinder, but the only thing I dislike about it is the lack of torque at lower speeds. I push the steel into the abrasive, and it bogs down for a second or two, then picks up the speed with the torque.

Of course this thing only cost me about $30 to build, ($25 for the treadmill) so I can't complain much.
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:jerkit:Could be your treadmill motor/control has a built in safety feature that slows it down if it senses quick resistance (i.e. someone falls down on it while exercising)....?? The one I used seems to hold the torque at all speeds and pressure but if I adjust the speed from fast to slow, it seems to shift to neutral until it slows down to the new slower speed and then the torque kicks back in and holds steady.
 
logem said:
You'll also want to cover the control box really well, or move it well away from the grinding area. Micro-shavings will easily work there way in there and short your controls. Ask me how I know this!

Good job.

Mike L.
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Good observation. It doesn't show in the pics but I sealed the control box seams with silicone. Beneath it I layered in a piece of plywood with small holes for venting. I also covered the vent holes with an air filter mesh to try to keep stuff out. I still need to seal off the motor to protect it as well and am working on that. Thanks for looking.
 
Put to use anything that comes to mind and is within reach, as has been said
it will last long enough to make enough knives to buy just about anykind of
grinder you may want.
Ken.
 
drlozier,
That's a pretty neat grinder
I was just wondering if you are still in pensacola and still making knives. I'm outside Ft Walton.
 
Awesome work man!!!! Best thing about this is you used more than just the motor from the treadmill!!!!

Good Job!!!!
 
BONY BOY said:
What is it you used for the contact wheel? Is it a lawn mower wheel?
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that was the most challenging part. When I first built it I used two wheels from a golf push cart that I sandwiched together side by side. The problem with this was that the contact wheel was slightly wider than the 2 inch sanding belt which made it hard to grind plunge lines on thicker steel. I have since replaced the rubber wheel with a two inch wide wheel cut from wood ( I used one inch thick compressed particle board and sandwiched two layers together to get exactly two inches thick). This works much better. I still plan to buy a "real grinder" but I will also keep this one in the shop....it is great for running slower speeds.
 
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