DIY belt grinder questions

[mustange70]

Looking to build a belt grinder (unless I find a used one first). I have a motor (5hp 220v 3450rpm motor) & plenty of steel to do this, only thing I'm missing are the pulleys/wheels.

Whats everyone use? I'd like a big and small pulley (big drive wheel 8"? drive, small idler ~2" for notching, at least 4" wide). Where would I source these, or or how would I go about making some?

Or how about treadmill parts? Lots for free in the local classifieds. I've never had one apart so I couldn't say if it'd work, but in theory it should, and if the parts are free, worth it to try.

 

[Packard V8]

This one works for me.

and uses readily available steel.

jack vines

 

[paranoid56]

i bought my setup from here, but i bought the hole thing, but they sell just parts to build your own too.
http://www.ameribrade.com/shop/

 

[exmaxima1]

I would not use an 8" drive pulley if directly run at 3450rpm. 6" would be a better speed for most applications. Ideally, a multi-sheave pulley arrangement would be employed or a different motor with variable speed.

If you look at commercial belt grinders, the most popular run a drive wheel of 5-7". My Baldor grinder is 7" but I drop the rpm to 3000 rpm with a VFD. My Square Wheel grinder runs a 10" wheel at 1750rpm, which equates to a 5" wheel at 3450. The very popular MultiTool adapter runs a 5" wheel at 3450 as well.

 

[mustange70]

This one works for me.

and uses readily available steel.

jack vines

What are you using for drive wheels? This is basically what I want to.

Good point on the size on the main drive, 6" works for me.

 

[Packard V8]

What are you using for drive wheels?

The driven wheel is a commercial caster which came with needle bearings.

The drive wheel is an actual grinder wheel. There'd no good substitute for those.

jack vines

 

[R W]

Google, No Weld Belt Grinder.

 

[bsg]

This one works for me.

and uses readily available steel.

jack vines

Any one else having a problem seeing these pictures?

I'm on an iPad and all I see is a square box?

Kevin

 

[MShaw]

If you want the belt to "track" then one of the wheels must be crowned. Not drastically, about 2 degrees with the center high should do.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Any one else having a problem seeing these pictures?

I'm on an iPad and all I see is a square box?

Kevin

I am on a PC and all I see is a square box (no picture)

 

[tool_scrounge]

To me, the cheapest and simplest grinder is the Polar Forge SLING kit. They make 3 variations for flat grinding, wheel grinding, and combination. But your 5HP motor may be too big for it (NEMA 56C frame size needed).

Link to video of the flag grinding version:

- they have videos on Youtube of all three versions

Link to web page:
http://www.polarbearforge.com/sling_order.html

For the flat grinding, figure:
$115 for the metal parts
$100 for wheels (see Ebay)
gas shock (not sure of cost)
motor (scrounge one on Criagslist)
Misc nuts and bolts

No affiliation, just like the simple design.

 

[mustange70]

Yeah I just need the wheels, that's it. Steel is no problem, as I'm building the sander to fit into my way over kill bench. Looking to make a simple to wheel system. Found lots of 2" wide systems, but would live to find a 4" wide wheel setup.

 

[mustange70]

So did some looking and measuring, and turns out some common weld on sprocket hubs for a 5/8 keyed shaft are a press fit into 1.5nps sch 40 pipe and 2.5nps sch80. So, I've talked with a buddy at work with a lathe, and after I press fit the hubs into the respective pipe, we'll spin them true, and add a taper onto the 2.5nps pipe/drive roll. I'm not sure how many rollers I'll use, for now its looking like just two. I'll use cheap pillow block bearings, and the housing design is yet to be determined. I'll keep this thread updated as i go.

 

[2oolhound]

Thanks, I'm looking forward to seeing how the wheels turn out. I've been thinking of building one of these and the wheels are always a big vacant space in my head that trips me up.