Dual Grinder Setup

[vuldub]

I searched but the words are too generic to find anything, so I apologize in advance if there is a good thread on this already (please point me there if there is one).

I am designing a setup to mount two bench grinders on the same mount. My thoughts are to have two steel plates at right angles (with grinder mounted to plates). Have this welded to a large hinge, which is then mount to square tubing. This could be inserted to a hitch receiver or smaller tubing. I would the mount a receiver against the wall. Grinder A is on top, when I want Grinder B, I pull a pin and flip the hinged system up and back and Grinder B becomes upright.

Question: Has this been done by others - or perhaps something similar? Would like to incorporate other ideas in my plan. Thanks.

 

[vuldub]

Not a single comment? Okay, maybe it's a dumb idea?

 

[lilredex]

It has been done before. Here are similar examples.

http://lumberjocks.com/projects/49493


http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/threads/39202-Shop-Made-Tools/page55?p=527984#post527984

 

[vuldub]

Thanks, I have seen those. They do not seem similar to me though. Perhaps my drawing is not clear. I'm looking to minimize the size with a wall mount or receiver mount. Also the platform would not flip completely 180, it would just pivot up 90.

 

[Zeke]

If only 2 grinders, why aren't they opposite of each other?

 

[vuldub]

If only 2 grinders, why aren't they opposite of each other?

The receiver is mounted on the wall. In forder to face a second grinder mounted opposite, you would need to be between the wall and the grinder - that would be awkward.
This is also a space saving configuration - small shop.

 

[Zeke]

You completely misunderstood my question.

 

[rsanter]

It's a workable idea, you need a way to clamp it it either position so it dosent rattle too much

Bob

 

[fourjeepin]

It took a minute, but I think I understand now. From the current view, it would rotate upward and would not be pulled out of the receiver to use the other grinder. Yeah, this would work.

 

[NoNN37]

is this what you mean?

It seems that instead of using a hinge it would make more sense to just put them back to back and have them pivot in middle. Its the same space, but you wont have the interference of having one on the bottom when flipped down.
although youd have to account for space to the sides when being rotated(and cords but i guess theyd be unplugged)

like this:

 

[nine4gmc]

why not just bolt them on opposite sides of a single central plate and have the receiver on that plate. no need for a hinge or extra fab, bolt them down and done. use one then take it out and rotate 180 and use the other. I think you are over thinking this bigtyme...

 

[NoNN37]

why not just bolt them on opposite sides of a single central plate and have the receiver on that plate. no need for a hinge or extra fab, bolt them down and done. use one then take it out and rotate 180 and use the other. I think you are over thinking this bigtyme...

this makes the most sense. and would seem the most solid.

 

[vuldub]

is this what you mean?

Yes, that's what I mean.

 

[vuldub]

why not just bolt them on opposite sides of a single central plate and have the receiver on that plate. no need for a hinge or extra fab, bolt them down and done. use one then take it out and rotate 180 and use the other. I think you are over thinking this bigtyme...

Because that means sliding 60-80lbs out, turning it around, avoiding tangling up cords and sliding it back on.

The hinge means just pull a pin, lift up or down, reset the pin and go. Why is that overthinking? Isn't this entire forum based on overthinking?

 

[vuldub]

You completely misunderstood my question.

Help me understand it.

 

[vuldub]

It seems that instead of using a hinge it would make more sense to just put them back to back and have them pivot in middle.

I thought about a pivot, still might go that way. Thanks for the thoughts.

 

[srmofo]

Help me understand it.

I think he means to have the grinders bolted to the same plate opposite each other. That plate would pivot on a shaft in the center similar to yours. The difference would be that the shaft would have to be supported on both sides.

Personally i like the carousel idea the best. Seemslike having the grinders mounted underneath each other could cause interference issues

 

[vuldub]

I think he means to have the grinders bolted to the same plate opposite each other. That plate would pivot on a shaft in the center similar to yours. The difference would be that the shaft would have to be supported on both sides.

Personally i like the carousel idea the best. Seemslike having the grinders mounted underneath each other could cause interference issues

I was supposed to get that, from this?

If only 2 grinders, why aren't they opposite of each other?

I can even read my wife's mind.

 

[Josh_C]

I like the idea. My problem with mounting grinders has always been keeping it stable enough to prevent the noise and rattling around that always seems to happen. I really like the idea of using square tubing and a hitch receiver to adjust your length. By bolting the base flush to the wall I think you will be able to reduce a lot of vibration problems that are experienced with a free standing setup. I think that the hinge idea is very doable, I want to try it myself now. For securing it in the second position you might try something like a barrel bolt at the top, but I was kind of thinking that a hinged brace like what you find on tables with folding eaves might provide you with more stability. I really like the concept and look forward to seeing what you end up doing

 

[vuldub]

I like the idea. I really like the concept and look forward to seeing what you end up doing

Thanks Josh, I really appreciate the positive encouragement.

 

[Alchymist]

If space is a concern, mount them back to back on a plate, put it on a post with a castor base. Turn sideways against the wall when not using, spin around to use either grinder. Just put good locking casters on it, and a heavy base.

 

[srmofo]

I was supposed to get that, from this?

nd.

Its a popular method when mounting miter saws...again I'm just guessing what he meant or that's how i took it anyway

 

[Steevo]

I actually like the original idea. The pivot would need to be beefy, maybe a 1/2" rod or a few heavy duty weld-on hinges, like these:
http://www.kingmetals.com/Catalog/ItemContent.aspx?ItemNumber=2861

You need a solid clamping system that can hold the pivoting section in either position without movement, too.

I'd even suggest that instead of pivoting at the back of the plate "corner", maybe you add two radiused plates on the back/bottom, to allow a pin to be removed, lift the unit, and slip the pin back in.

I'll try to draw an example so you don't have to read my mind

 

[Steevo]

Something like this:

Plate bolts to wall/bench.
Square tube has pivot bolt and hitch pin holes.
Radiused plates welded to underside of grinder plate have pivot hole for bolt and two holes for hitch pin, one in each position.

 

[ScubaSteve]

If space is a concern, mount them back to back on a plate, put it on a post with a castor base. Turn sideways against the wall when not using, spin around to use either grinder. Just put good locking casters on it, and a heavy base.

THIS. Why not just put them both on a plate and be done with it? No pivots, carousels, or hinges. Or, if you're concerned about the grit from one contaminating the other (like when polishing) just have them side by side with some kind of guard to deflect the grit away from the wall and down to the floor.

 

[vuldub]

I actually like the original idea. The pivot would need to be beefy, maybe a 1/2" rod or a few heavy duty weld-on hinges, like these:
http://www.kingmetals.com/Catalog/ItemContent.aspx?ItemNumber=2861

You need a solid clamping system that can hold the pivoting section in either position without movement, too.

I'd even suggest that instead of pivoting at the back of the plate "corner", maybe you add two radiused plates on the back/bottom, to allow a pin to be removed, lift the unit, and slip the pin back in.

I'll try to draw an example so you don't have to read my mind

Actually, I think I do understand you. Perfect! Started my orginal design - good thing I bought a plasma cutter..... I like your mod.

 

[vuldub]

THIS. Why not just put them both on a plate and be done with it? No pivots, carousels, or hinges. Or, if you're concerned about the grit from one contaminating the other (like when polishing) just have them side by side with some kind of guard to deflect the grit away from the wall and down to the floor.

For space saving, that's why the pivot. If I could mount them beside each other, I would just make a bench. An extension of my idea would be to build a mobile base that the hinged tubing platform slipped into. That way it could be wall mounted or on a mobile base.

 

[Outlawmws]

This addresses only two bench mounted tools:

Instead, get a work mate (free standing or one of the bench mounted versions - This can be built flush inot the bench...) and mount the tool (Grinders, Smaller Arbor presses, Miter box, chop saw, etc...) onto a Plywood base with a "Grip bar" mounted under it that the Work mate can grab. Drop in place and clamp, and done.

The advantage is that you can now rack all those bench tools and if you make the mounting plates all the same size, you can drop then into a "book case" with adjustable standards (Easy to make from a couple of 1X12s) and just drop them onto the standards when not in use.

 

[ScubaSteve]

Yep, I've thought about doing this too...just clamp it down, then hang it up when done. This makes cleaning the sawdust out of woodworking tools easier too...I like to take them outside the shop and blast with compressed air.

Back to the grinders....let me clarify. Mount the bracket to the wall and have the grinders point to the left and right...if that makes sense. Same footprint and both tools are usable at any time with zero changeover. This is especially useful when you're moving through grits when polishing and are moving a lot of parts through the process.

 

[vuldub]

Instead, get a work mate (free standing or one of the bench mounted versions - This can be built flush inot the bench...) and mount the tool (Grinders, Smaller Arbor presses, Miter box, chop saw, etc...) onto a Plywood base with a "Grip bar" mounted under it that the Work mate can grab. Drop in place and clamp, and done.

The advantage is that you can now rack all those bench tools and if you make the mounting plates all the same size, you can drop then into a "book case" with adjustable standards (Easy to make from a couple of 1X12s) and just drop them onto the standards when not in use.

Been there, tried that. Didn't work for me. Firstly, tools were not immediately accessible - would need to swap out one grinder for the other, connect the cords, etc. Secondly, lifting and moving 50lbs here and 50lbs there became a chore. Especially my 90lb mitre saw.

So I have moved to mobile bases, with my tools mounted into them. I wish to have a dual grinder setup that has a small footprint (hence against a wall - tucked in a corner), easy to switch between two setups (to allow moving from grinder to polishing to cleaning without having to swap wheels or grinders), and get it off my bench so I could use my bench for other work.

I could have mounted the two grinders back to back on a wheeled base, but I think this setup will use less space.

And lastly, I wanted a challenge. Overthinking is fun. This ain't my living, it's my hobby.

 

[vuldub]

Back to the grinders....let me clarify. Mount the bracket to the wall and have the grinders point to the left and right...if that makes sense. Same footprint and both tools are usable at any time with zero changeover. This is especially useful when you're moving through grits when polishing and are moving a lot of parts through the process.

Wouldn't that require space on the right and left of this mount to stand facing each grinder? I don't have that space.

 

[vuldub]

Something like this:

Plate bolts to wall/bench.
Square tube has pivot bolt and hitch pin holes.
Radiused plates welded to underside of grinder plate have pivot hole for bolt and two holes for hitch pin, one in each position.

Steevo, I really like your suggestion. I'm pretty far along welding up my original setup, but I had not figured out a lock mechanism yet. I will hybridize your radius disk into my existing work. Thanks.

I thought of a pivot system to accompany your design ( I used a very large gate hinge, which provided adaption problems for the radius disks...). Weld a steel rod perpendicular the square tubing, on the top end of the tubing. Use two sections of round tubing weld on the grinder plate on each side of the rod. Like this:

 

[2oolhound]

If space is a concern, mount them back to back on a plate, put it on a post with a castor base. Turn sideways against the wall when not using, spin around to use either grinder. Just put good locking casters on it, and a heavy base.

I have this same set-up. Before I put it on casters I thought about a revolving base. Now I just spin the whole thing. What I like most is when you are polishing or buffing which is one of the dirtiest jobs, (leaves a layer of particles on everything within 25 feet), you can just wheel it outside if the weather is good.

 

[cbacres]

Here is what I plan on building for my grinders and belt sander. The sander will be stationary on the frame, the three grinders will be spaced around a 26" dia. plate.
I have a hub off my truck to use as a piviot. I'm going to use a spring loaded pin to hold the plate from spinning. I'm hoping the 1/2 ton hub will be stout enough for the operation of the grinders ( vib. wise).

This will allow an assortment of stones, brushes and buffing with out having to change out. ( I'm lazy that way)

Just havent had time to build.

The whole thing will be on castors.

 

[neophyte]

One safety issue with the flip down grinder is that it would wind up at about the same level as your ********. If you or someone else left the lower grinder running while using the upper grinder there's a chance clothing or body parts could get grabbed or yanked off. I remember a video from some Ku tv show of a guy who got his ***** torn off after his clothing got stuck in a cement mixer on which the guards had been removed from the gearing. The images of his **** were not a pretty sight.

 

[taumac]

I like the idea but think steevo's idea is better accomplishing your orginal idea..... good luck

 

[shoot summ]

Can't seem to find the thread, I have a pic of it on another computer. There is a member on here who mounted his grinders one on top of the other, I liked that arrangement alot, very space efficient. I took a different approach, 2 weeks ago I bought a 27" Husky cabinet on clearance at HD for $50, it has a stainless top on it. I mounted some casters on it, have 2 Baldor grinders, a Baldor buffer, and a slow speed Delta grinder on it. Plus there is tons of room in the cabinet to store all of the extras that go along with the grinders and buffer, and a Jet wet grinder. Will post some pics of it tomorrow.

 

[shoot summ]

As promised, here are pics of the dual grinder setup, not mine but I liked the idea so I snagged the pics of it. Then I have the pics of my current setup I am working on, still a work in progress, I plan to mount some flexible arm lights on it for lighting.