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Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998

Grinders

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Grinders

#1

Grinders

Mark Kauder

>There have been many posts recently about grinders - many decrying the 1) cost, 2) availablity.

One thing I did not see suggested (I did not read them all - my eyes blurred after a little while) is to make your own. This is one of the easiest ways to get the size and speed you want.

Pictured here is my grinder - $30 mandrel, $10 in pulleys, and a discarded 1/2hp, 1750rpm motor from my old drill press. Previously, this same setup had a 1HP 3450rpm motor that I then moved on to another use in the shop. The next motor was a 1hp VS motor like the one that I used on my lathe, but someone really wanted it to convert their mini-lathe so I sold that motor and put on the one pictured here.

The great thing with this setup, is that it is almost infinately variable. This one started live as a 6", 1750rpm. Then I moved to 8", VS. Now it is an 8" Sub-800rpm grinder. Some day it may be a 10" grinder if I want - though I see not advantage in it.

I here all the time about how great a 1750rpm grinder is - a sub 1000rpm grinder is even better - very controlable. Not only that, out of balance wheels are not much of an issue at 800rpm, and there is less need for a guard.

The only thing is is not great for is shaping a new tool, but I have a $39 gray stone grinder under the bench for when I need it, or I use my belt sander.

So, try building your own.

Mark


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Re: Grinders

#2

Re: Grinders - Pic #2 

Mark Kauder

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Re: Grinders

#3

Where??

Russ Fairfield

>Mark,

That grinder mandrel looks to be a better quality than those I see in the Woodworking catalogs. Can you tell s where you got it??

Re: Grinders

#4

Good idea Mark

TD

>I used to use a rig just like the one you have pictured and you are correct....it worked quite well. I would much prefer yours as one of the bottom end ones from China. Heck, I even built my first bowl lathe and it worked too. If prices continue to rise on everything we use we may all have to go back to the days of "rolling our own"

TD

Re: Grinders

#5

Re: Where?? *LINK*

Mark Kauder

>Actually, I bought it locally, but it is the same as the ones in the Woodcraft catalog. These are the brass bushing ones. Sometimes wish that I had bought the sealed bearing model, just 'cuz I would not have to adjust the end play in the mandrel when I mess with the configuration.

At the lower speeds and short duration use, using the cheap mandrel does not really matter. IMHO

Mark


http://www.woodcraft.com/Woodcraft/product_family.asp?family%5Fid=894&gift=False&mscssid=71BF124CA1764EEBB49B5EBE978949CC

Re: Grinders

#6

Re: Good idea Mark

Mark Kauder

>Had one of my club members as if I could really get a good edge with such a slow grinder. I reminded him that once upon a time people used treddle or hand cranked grinders for sharpening just fine. And the much acclaimed Tormek is really slow.

If you slow this down enough, you could do a wet grinder. I just don't what the wet mess in my small shop - why I sold my Tormek.

Mark

Re: Grinders

#7

A step further

Wood Spinner

>Same concept but make the shaft longer with another block and add buffing wheels.

Bill

Re: Grinders

#8

Re: A step further

Mark Kauder

>Yup, you can get the longer shaft ones from Klingspor.

I have thought for some time about putting a buffer on the opposite side of the stand - using the same motor - have to do some sort of jackshaft arrangement to get the rotation right, so I have not. I do have another 3450 motor with a long shaft on it, and an adapter to attach directly to the motor shaft. That might become the buffer. I only use wax, so do not need a wax wheel and a rouge wheel.

Mark

Re: Grinders

#9

Re: Where??

RonZ

>OK, and where did you get the motor pully? What did you use for locking the stones in place?

Re: Grinders

#10

Re: Where?? *LINK*

Mark Kauder

>The pullies are standard hardware store pulleys with 5/8" center holes.

Below is a better link for the mandrel like I have. It is threaded on both ends and has an inside stop plate and outside plate/washer and nut.

Mark


http://woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=818-753

Re: Grinders

#11

I see some more possibilities.......

Andy Halterman: Feels like spring today

>It would be cool if one could rig up a sort of sliding/locking mount for the motor so as to use two stepped pullies for variable speed of the wheels. Suppose you really wanted to get jiggy and hog off some material to reshape a scraper or such, then you could get some extra rpms with a course wheel and make shorter work of the process.

Perhaps I need to take get out a crayon and some paper and commence to some 'cipherin'.

Regardless, I like your setup better than a regular grinder.

Gracias por los fotos.

Andy Halterman

Not too proud to abscond good ideas when I see them in Hendersonville, NC

Re: Grinders

#12

Re: Where??

RonZ

>Thanks. I'll see if they have pulleys here, which I'm sure they do. Many times it's easier and cheaper ordering on-line.

Re: Grinders

#13

Re: Where??

Mark Kauder

>Shalom Ron,

I did not really pay attention to who was asking when I responded (Saw it but your location just did not click). If you have a problem, give me a call and I will get you fixed up.

Mark