best grinder stand plans

[mslim]

I recently scored a 1/2hp Craftsman block grinder on craigslist. I want to have a welder buddy fabricate a work stand for it.

I previously had a big-*** Dayton grinder that had a stand made of 3" tube welded to a 16.5 Chevy truck wheel. This grinder had so much torque it would rotate the the stand. I even filled the truck wheel with concrete to give it more weight but it didn't stop the rotation. As I was debriefing my design, I wondered if I had used a rectangular piece of 10 gauge plate for the base that I could step on if it would have been better?

Admittedly the Craftsman won't have the torque of the Dayton but since I starting this from scratch, I'd like to not make the same mistake again.

(BTW I don't want to anchor the grinder stand to the floor as I have limited space and want to keep it somewhat mobile.)

 

[danielbuck]

was the old grinder vibrating alot? if it's vibrating, either the shaft is not true, or the wheels aren't.

I used a semi truck wheel (steel), which seems to be more than heavy enough (a bit over 100 pounds), also much larger diameter (24"?). Like you, I like to keep the stand somewhat mobile, even the larger heavier semi wheel I can tip over and roll around. I'd eventually like a slicker solution, maybe some wheels that I can tilt it up and move it like a dolly, but for now the round base works fine.

A platform to stand on would work, or maybe putting an industrial rubber mat under the entire stand. But I would figure out the vibration first, if the new one vibrates like the old one.

 

[zkling]

Yes, stepping on the stand would be better. By filling the tube with sand, you did increase the mass, but since the diameter of the tube wasn't that great your change in inertia (resistant to rotate) of the stand wasn't what it needed to be to prevent it from turning from the gyroscopic effects of the grinder, WHICH were probably induced by out of balance wheels.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2781696&postcount=30

For stability you need one of the following.

1.) Lots of mass down low.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=274709

2.) Ability to stand on it.
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/0c/d0/2e/0cd02ee06f560a15d4c2a0e20289be9a.jpg

3.) Wide spread contact with the ground.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2781696&postcount=30

4.) Bolt it to the ground.

You need to balance cost and portability of the above.

The plow disc stand can be nice for low cost, especially if you fill the perimeter with sand or the like.

 

[derek_m]

I used an old 20" steel rim from a '40s ford 1.5 ton truck, 3" square tube and 1/4" plate to make my grinder stand. works great.

 

[wayne55]

I did something similar to derek m. You might think that the steel wheel would vibrate on the concrete floor, but it doesn't.

 

[mslim]

was the old grinder vibrating alot? if it's vibrating, either the shaft is not true, or the wheels aren't.
<snip>

No the Dayton was well balanced. Smooth as silk with great ball bearings. It just had so much torque it wanted to rotate itself. The rubber mat idea may have helped but I didn't think of it at the time.

 

[zkling]

No the Dayton was well balanced. Smooth as silk with great ball bearings. It just had so much torque it wanted to rotate itself. The rubber mat idea may have helped but I didn't think of it at the time.

You had a balance mismatch between the two sides as otherwise the gyroscopic effects of the two wheels will cancel out and cause it to be stationary. IE a stone on one side and a buff on the other.

 

[isb cornbinder]

Jason of Fireball Tools, on You Tube just finished a grinder stand. Check it out.

 

[matt_i]

Keep in mind to achieve better "grip" with the concrete (or anything via friction), its important to reduce the area in contact. So, 3 little points like 3 bolt heads that concentrate the downforce would have been better than the large round rim area that distributes the load.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I don't agree. Three legs are unstable.

 

[Bellaireroad]

Keep in mind to achieve better "grip" with the concrete (or anything via friction), its important to reduce the area in contact. So, 3 little points like 3 bolt heads that concentrate the downforce would have been better than the large round rim area that distributes the load.

Huh?


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[bullnerd]

Always liked this guys setup.

Disk harrows and a tube.

 

[fiftyv8]

I like storage under mine.

 

[mslim]

Jason of Fireball Tools, on You Tube just finished a grinder stand. Check it out.

Link please. I'd love to see what he did. I looked at his you tube feed but didn't see the grinder stand.

 

[larry_g]

I have a stand just like this one under my grinder. The cast iron of the truck brake drum absorbs vibrations better than a steel wheel.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[rsanter]

How about put it on a 26” wide toolbox

 

[bugman53]

I don't agree. Three legs are unstable.

3 legs one design where it will not rock no matter how un level the surface is. This is why a lot of lathes have 3 points of contact with the ground. 3 legs will always have equal contact.

3 legs are more stable than 4 unless the 4 legs are perfectly level and in contact with the floor. Like you kitchen table where one leg is a little to short and the table rocks.

By stable i am referring to resistance to rocking and moving around. If your machine wants to tip over then you need a wider base.

 

[bugman53]

Keep in mind to achieve better "grip" with the concrete (or anything via friction), its important to reduce the area in contact. So, 3 little points like 3 bolt heads that concentrate the downforce would have been better than the large round rim area that distributes the load.

This has been my experience as well. 3 legs mounted with rubber feet of some sort will stay put!

 

[ConnerSmith]

I always like the harrow blade stands.

Heres my craftsman grinder stand. I never really liked wheel stands but now that I have one, It’s growing on me. I made a hanger for a metal quench pail, so I can cool hss tool blanks, or anything when grinding.




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[6PTsocket]

3 legs one design where it will not rock no matter how un level the surface is. This is why a lot of lathes have 3 points of contact with the ground. 3 legs will always have equal contact.

3 legs are more stable than 4 unless the 4 legs are perfectly level and in contact with the floor. Like you kitchen table where one leg is a little to short and the table rocks.

By stable i am referring to resistance to rocking and moving around. If your machine wants to tip over then you need a wider base.

As the geometry teacher would say, 3 points inscribe a plane. That is why we have tripods. Unless at least one leg is adjustable, the plane may not be level but it least it is stable.

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[WaterBoyz]

I've seen where people have used those HF 4-legged stands and attached a flip-down board to stand on so the grinder won't walk around.

It was hinged so that it can be flipped up when not in use and flipped down to stand on to keep the stand from walking around.

I never liked the rim.n.post style. It always got in the way of my feet. My arms are short so I need to really get close. Well.....as close as my extended belly-button will allow anyway

 

[whateg01]

I have several stands in my garage that use an old tire as the base. Put a piece of plywood in it, then fill with concrete. The weight keeps it bottom heavy. The size keeps it from wanting to tip. The rubber keeps it from walking around.

Dave

 

[thr3squared]

I picked up a Dayton stand from grainger to use with my 1/2HP block grinder. Works very well



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[Dumber than lumber]

As the geometry teacher would say, 3 points inscribe a plane. That is why we have tripods. Unless at least one leg is adjustable, the plane may not be level but it least it is stable.

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maybe you mean "3 points DEscribe a plane."?

 

[Ilikeike]

for my grinder,drill press and vise I use a tractor discs and 4"+ metal post filled with concrete.

 

[2oolhound]

I have a 1hp 10" on a big truck hub but I liked the mobility enough that I set it on a barrel dolly so it rolls easily. For quick little tasks it stays still pretty good but if I need to lean on it I just back it against something solid. If I roll it outside in the open I kick a wooden wedge under it and/or block a wheel with my foot.

Here is a huge previous thread on stands:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252799&highlight=grinder+vise+stand

 

[Willie Makeit]

3 legs one design where it will not rock no matter how un level the surface is. This is why a lot of lathes have 3 points of contact with the ground. 3 legs will always have equal contact.

3 legs are more stable than 4 unless the 4 legs are perfectly level and in contact with the floor. Like you kitchen table where one leg is a little to short and the table rocks.

By stable i am referring to resistance to rocking and moving around. If your machine wants to tip over then you need a wider base.

The man is sharing knowledge. ALL high-end CNC equipment is leveled using a 3 point of contact procedure. Once level is achieved, the rest of the feet are positioned to just make contact, regardless of how many feet are used.