Anyone build a 2x72 belt grinder?

[NebrTd]

I bought the $20 plans as well. Then drew most of the parts in CAD for the plasma table. That is about as far as I got. I already have a burr king so I guess my motivation was short lived.
My brothers both want one so I assume the project will eventually get completed. I did like the plans.

 

[ilovevocs]

I bought the kids plans...

How do people feel about making it with 2 1/2" and 2" by 1/4" wall Trailer hitch tube?

You could but it would decrease the build quality. Not a corner worth cutting IMHO.

 

[Keyblazer]

You could but it would decrease the build quality. Not a corner worth cutting IMHO.

Is it the wall thickness or fit that would be the issue?

 

[sqznby]

You could but it would decrease the build quality. Not a corner worth cutting IMHO.

How would using 2.5" tubing decrease the build quality?
How is this cutting corners?

 

[Keyblazer]

I asked the guy who did the plans the same question and he suggested it would not be as good with trailer hitch, but did not tell me why.

Not trying to be a @ss... just trying to figure out if it would work, and save me time.
My question was based out of a couple of points... and it not about cost...

Its a TON of welding to get something that to my mind could be achieved by something I can just go buy.
I've built and overbuilt a few things using trailer hitch... The wall thickness, at 1/4 is plenty beefy enough for what ive made so far.
A rotisserie and based upon its end frame, an engine stand for a 1000lb+ Cummins motor.
The slide is controlled by 1/2' 13 bolts and nuts.

 

[8mpg]

The problem using square tubing is the precision it lacks, not the strength. You are looking for a good solid fit with some weight behind it to reduce vibration. He uses all 3/8" steel due to the weight. Making a tube that is crafted around the 1.5" bar stock reduces vibration. You only have one pin point to hold it. The tight fit keeps the back of the bar stock nice and solid.

If you are trying to save time, get someone to plasma cut all your brackets. That took 50% of the time building the grinder. Perfectly square cuts and precise holes to line it all up is the key. Using the flat bar and some shims was nothing to weld up.

 

[larry4406]

This is not a 2x72, but a 2x48 belt grinder.

Wow, that is awesome. He did an amazing job. The detail is incredible.

You are not kidding! That is a very nice machine!

 

[Bottlecapdigger]

Chapter 2! Well here's the proto type. Pretty happy with it, would like to change the frame a little bit, more of a cosmetic thing really. Also the over centre belt tightening gismo I spent to much time building this and afterwards I remembered I have some desta clamps that would work just as well and look better. Another issue is I trying to find a source for a 10" serrated contact wheel at a reasonable cost without paying to much shipping. I made my own with this one and made a hell of a mess in the shop grinding rubber. There's a seller on eBay but the shipping is 659$ or something like that. I'm sure it's a mistake but haven't heard back from him to see what the actual shipping cost is. BCD

 

[bullnerd]

Been a loong time but i once ground some crowned rubber pulleys for a large belt sander that was used to sharpen doctor blades. We used an antifreeze drip (yes antifreeze) on the grinding wheel and it worked great. I cant remember the jig on the lathe, but it was simple to get the radius we wanted.

BTW, doctor blades are used to scrape ink off ink rollers used for printing.Like a long razor blade.

Nice job.

 

[LXCam]

This is not a 2x72, but a 2x48 belt grinder.

That kid has some very impressive skills.


And I've got to admit that all though I have a formal education with engine machining work, I'm for the most part self taught past that. And being I've made a hell of a lot of chips both professionally and for fun over the last 4 decades I learned a couple techniques from that young man. Making due with what he had on hand for machinery is many times difficult, things I've never considered and would have either borrowed or bought the tool for the job. That boy is going to go far in life with that work ethic and attention to detail.

Thanks for the link Z.

 

[bullnerd]

Well said LX!

 

[z-edition 006]

That kid has some very impressive skills.


And I've got to admit that all though I have a formal education with engine machining work, I'm for the most part self taught past that. And being I've made a hell of a lot of chips both professionally and for fun over the last 4 decades I learned a couple techniques from that young man. Making due with what he had on hand for machinery is many times difficult, things I've never considered and would have either borrowed or bought the tool for the job. That boy is going to go far in life with that work ethic and attention to detail.

Thanks for the link Z.

You guys are welcome. The kid is very talented, that's for sure. I’m soon starting on my own grinder build. I got a 1,5hp 1 fase 220V motor, with 2800rpm and i already have all the steel i need to build a grinder, just waiting on my wheels to arrive and a VFD for my drillpress. I will start a build tread when i start building.

 

[Kev In]

I started out building a couple for myself and family and ended up starting a business selling Knife Grinders and parts. Here is one being bench tested before being powder coated. The platen and tool rest were missing on the first two photos.

Z-edition....Grinders are fun to build and it’s really satisfying. There are lots of plans and great builds out there. I rarely use a angle grinder after being spoiled using a 2x72 grinder. Good luck on your grinder build!

 

[Whiskeymike]

I like this one

http://jerswoodshop.com/2x72-tilting-belt-grinder/

He has several Youtube videos

Do those plans include solid info on the motor /w VFD and specs for the wheels?

I’ve never made something that ties in a motor and it’s getting things like that wrong are what makes me put this project on hold.

 

[motofool33]

Do those plans include solid info on the motor /w VFD and specs for the wheels?

I’ve never made something that ties in a motor and it’s getting things like that wrong are what makes me put this project on hold.

you just buy the wheels from knife grinder parts, the motor plate design is setup for standard electric motor. you could buy a 500 VFD motor instead and just modify the bolt pattern to use it.

 

[z-edition 006]

I started out building a couple for myself and family and ended up starting a business selling Knife Grinders and parts. Here is one being bench tested before being powder coated. The platen and tool rest were missing on the first two photos.

Z-edition....Grinders are fun to build and it’s really satisfying. There are lots of plans and great builds out there. I rarely use a angle grinder after being spoiled using a 2x72 grinder. Good luck on your grinder build!

Nice grinders you have there, and good luck with your business. There is to many great options out there. Very hard to make up my mind on the design. One day i like one design, next day i like something else

 

[jh1990]

Do those plans include solid info on the motor /w VFD and specs for the wheels?

I’ve never made something that ties in a motor and it’s getting things like that wrong are what makes me put this project on hold.

There is a link to buy the wheels on his website.

The motor is a frame 56, at least 2hp. ~3600 rpm, TEFC.

 

[LXCam]

I started out building a couple for myself and family and ended up starting a business selling Knife Grinders and parts. Here is one being bench tested before being powder coated. The platen and tool rest were missing on the first two photos.

Z-edition....Grinders are fun to build and it’s really satisfying. There are lots of plans and great builds out there. I rarely use a angle grinder after being spoiled using a 2x72 grinder. Good luck on your grinder build!

Nice job Kevin. I like the simplicity of your design, very straight forward and effective looking. I take it the knife forums are your targeted market?

Good luck on your endeavor.

 

[Kev In]

Hi LX Cam, I stay away from the forums. I sell to the Canadian market via an online store only.

 

[Jim Stabe]

I built one using a 10" wheel from Grizzley and a couple rubber coated wheels I found on the internet. It has a Craig's list 1 1/2 hp motor and has performed on a daily basis in my shop for at least 10 years. It will lay down horizontal but I rarely use it that way. Probably my most used fabrication tool

 

[drivesitfar]

ALL: I need one of these so i'm all ears if there is a good way to build one instead of buying a Burrking or a Baldor or one of the other ones that are a bit less spendy.

one of our local guys sells this kit, but it's not cheap and it doesn't include the baldor motor but I've seen it in action and it works great.

 

[jh1990]

ALL: I need one of these so i'm all ears if there is a good way to build one instead of buying a Burrking or a Baldor or one of the other ones that are a bit less spendy.

one of our local guys sells this kit, but it's not cheap and it doesn't include the baldor motor but I've seen it in action and it works great.

Have you seen Jeremy Schmidt's yet?

I plan on building it. Like it was mentioned earlier if you could get all the brackets and hinges cnc plasma cut it would save you a lot of time and anxiety.

I can't link his build video because of my post count

 

[motofool33]

Have you seen Jeremy Schmidt's yet?

I plan on building it. Like it was mentioned earlier if you could get all the brackets and hinges cnc plasma cut it would save you a lot of time and anxiety.

I can't link his build video because of my post count

i have the DXF and plan on cutting some out next week maybe if i can schedule it in with everything else going on.

 

[Bottlecapdigger]

ALL: I need one of these so i'm all ears if there is a good way to build one instead of buying a Burrking or a Baldor or one of the other ones that are a bit less spendy.

one of our local guys sells this kit, but it's not cheap and it doesn't include the baldor motor but I've seen it in action and it works great.


Say that's looks like the super machine! I like the design of the rotating head, quick easy way to go from the wheel to the straight sanding. Does he sell plans? Is there a web site? Thanks. Bcd. QUOTE]

 

[drivesitfar]

BD: sorry I can't get the plans for you and not sure he's still selling the parts to the grinder he designed, but i'll keep trying to see if i can find him through a friend of his and let you (us) know if i do.

 

[Richard D]

I built one a few years ago. It is multiple tools using one motor. I used pillow block bearings, and a long shaft so I can run several belt drive bench grinders off it as well as the belt grinder. I also plan to put a disk on the far end of the shaft. I bought a crowned aluminum wheel specifically for belt grinders, but the other wheels are just caster wheels. I figure they will need replacing someday, but I haven't used it enough to wear them out yet. Works just fine. It's nothing to look at, but the cost was right!

 

[Ryanjax]

I'm in the build process for one of Jer's grinders. I used 1/2" material for the receiver material because it's what I had on hand. I also used a 6" vice a 4" drive wheel.

The plans have been pretty good but there is not a lot of room to get a belt on with the 6" drive wheel. I also built a contact wheel assembly using a 10" contact wheel and the 72" belts will not fit. I have ordered a couple 80" belts for using that attachment.

All that being said, it seems to work really well. Takes material off much faster than than my slow belt sander.

 

[LukasM]

Ryan and you guys who built a Jeremy Schmidt grinder, how long did it take you in total, and what tools did you use?

Might be worth using this as an excuse to finally buy a plasma cutter if it saves me 10 hours of work to make those brackets from beefy 5/8" steel...

 

[Zengineer]

I built a really simple one a few years ago, and documented my experience in a YouTube video here:

Condensed version: you can build it very simply and it's well worth the effort to do so. Now is a fixture in my shop and couldn't live without it.

 

[z-edition 006]

Here is my diy belt grinder.

 

[larry4406]

Here is my diy belt grinder.

Very nice machine. I recall you posting part of your build somewhere here on this forum.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

That article reads like one who's sole intention is trying to get Amazon commissions based on the links.

 

[Richard D]

Maybe it would be better to have someone fix them for you instead of spending thousands on a tool you will barely use. Did I really type that out loud?

 

[PhantomEB]

One day one day....Anyone know of a stand up belt grinder plan online that they recommend?

I try to keep things to a minimal footprint in my garage. Went thru this whole thread and didn’t see much....might of missed it though. Similar to Jim Stabe, post # 60.

 

[jh1990]

FYI.

Your VFD needs to be rated to handle all that grinding dust or you need to stick it in an enclosure. I bought this model FM50-202-N4 from Dealers Electric for $150. I think its $200 now. It's an older discontinued model but you won't need to put it in an enclosure.

 

[tarbellb]

I was looking for a belt grinder recently online. There seems to be too many options online these days. it seems crazy that there are so many things to consider when trying to fix a few broken blades. Since it's 2020 I started looking for the best grinder there is on the market. I stumbled across this article (Check it here: vocationaltraininghq.com) that had a whole list of grinders that are considered top notch and all the pros an cons are discussed. There are also all the prices included. If you are looking for a grinder it's a good starting point.

Sadly this is just a new advertising clickbait gimmick. It simply takes reviews from online retailers that have built-in reviews and compile into the generic, vague, garbage you see presented.

WEN and Kalamazoo in the same sentence, c'mon.

 

[Divcod]

I like Jeremery Schmidt’s design but have changed the design to hopefully allow for easier assembly, limit impact of welding heat and to avoid hours of cutting. Picture of samples of some of the parts although all of the parts have been plasma cut. One issue was the stacking of the slope on the 3/8” material in the 90 deg cuts. Added small circle cuts which seems to addressed the issue.

 

[Divcod]

Mocked up some of the grinder parts to better show the changes made to Jeremy Schmidt design. Tabs and slots should make assembly easier and reduce some of welding heat. Motor mount will have fewer parts so alignment will be easier.







CNC or water jet would be better than plasma but cost est. were a lot higher. At some pint the yellow masking tape will be replaced with weld.

 

[tarbellb]

Clever idea there, keep us posted!

 

[Divcod]

Will do but Won’t be in the shop until late Feb or early Mar.