Really big bench grinder - usage?

[Olafur]

Really big bench grinder - usage? **pics added**

Today I came across, probably the largest bench grinder I have seen in real life - in my local scrap yard. Lying in a pile of junk. I am really tempted to rescue it but I have difficulties finding excuses to do so.

I am not sure but from memory it looks like it's 3 feet wide, with probably 1" shafts. Could probably take 10" inside the shields. It's still in decent shape and actually looks quite good. Needless to say I have no idea what is wrong with it if anything.

While I do some fabricating I don't see much usage for it grinding with stones. A wire wheel on this thing would be nice if I had to clean up miles of rail tracks but other than that - for small items probably live threatening.

BTW the pedestal seems intact and lying close to it in the pile.

I need ideas!

 

[sld961]

Today I came across, probably the largest bench grinder I have seen in real life - in my local scrap yard. Lying in a pile of junk. I am really tempted to rescue it but I have difficulties finding excuses to do so.



I am not sure but from memory it looks like it's 3 feet wide, with probably 1" shafts. Could probably take 10" inside the shields. It's still in decent shape and actually looks quite good. Needless to say I have no idea what is wrong with it if anything.



While I do some fabricating I don't see much usage for it grinding with stones. A wire wheel on this thing would be nice if I had to clean up miles of rail tracks but other than that - for small items probably live threatening.



BTW the pedestal seems intact and lying close to it in the pile.



I need ideas! [emoji38]_hitti

I'd be all over it if it's single phase. Get it, fix it up, and then figure out what to do with it.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[rsanter]

If you can grab it cheap then grab it.
Those things cost a fortune new.

 

[sqznby]

Go get it

 

[The Cobbler]

that large likely 3 phase...

edit, not sure now that I see you're from iceland!

 

[bczygan]

We need photos!

Bill

 

[disston]

And get the base too.

We used to have bigger than that where I live. I think it got sold. It was fun to use the couple of times I used it.

 

[Rory Bellows]

Get the pedestal. I buy huge grinders at auctions and just scrap the grinder and keep the pedestal. Usually the grinders are three phase and the stones cost hundreds of dollars a piece. Last one I got I paid $25 and got over $30 for the grinder at .15 lb. The pedestals make great vise bases.

 

[Rory Bellows]

Horrible pic of the base. The pic was taken mostly to show off my $20 Wilton C2.

This pedestal weighs at least 150 lbs.

 

[Steve from Socal]

From the original post it sounds like that may be a polishing machine not a grinder. Either way, get the base if you get the machine. 10" wheels are not that costly

I have a 14" grinder and I bought wheels on ebay for under 50.00 each.

Steve

 

[bad_idea]

Do you have the room for it? My last garage was 14'x20'. I found a lathe for peanuts and dragged it home. It ate up a huge chunk of my garage until I finally got rid of it. To use it was a nightmare as I had to play tetris just to get to it. I purged several items from the garage (including the lathe) and the garage was useable again. Stupid-big tools that you may never need are fun in a large shop. They are an irritant in a small space.

 

[Olafur]

Do you have the room for it? My last garage was 14'x20'. I found a lathe for peanuts and dragged it home. It ate up a huge chunk of my garage until I finally got rid of it. To use it was a nightmare as I had to play tetris just to get to it. I purged several items from the garage (including the lathe) and the garage was useable again. Stupid-big tools that you may never need are fun in a large shop. They are an irritant in a small space.

I currently live in apartment and don't have any garage. But I plan to build ~1500 sq.ft. garage. Hopefully next year. I bought the lot last year.

I still hear you loud and clear and I agree. This is why I am asking how people are using these big bench grinders. I will try to get a good 2-3 hp belt sander in the future. They are nice to have when fabricating. I already got a nice old USA made bench grinder that will serve my wire wheel and sharpening needs. This grinder I am not sure about usability.

 

[Olafur]

Horrible pic of the base. The pic was taken mostly to show off my $20 Wilton C2.

This pedestal weighs at least 150 lbs.

That's one idea. Thanks.

 

[Olafur]

I agree you guys need pictures so I got some.
This thing is Danish, made in Copenhagen. It's 3 phase 380V 3hp (no problems there). It looks like it takes 14" stones. 1400 RPM machine.

 

[rsanter]

Grab that base and grinder.
Convert that into a belt grinder is how you can use it

 

[dutchgray]

I saw one that took 16" wheels by 3" or 4" thick last year, someone had bolted an 8" grinder on its back for lighter work, it didn't have a pedestal as the main grinder casting went to the floor.

 

[Olafur]

Grab that base and grinder.
Convert that into a belt grinder is how you can use it

That could be fun project, and semi-practical with some luck.

I just went and picked it up. This thing is a rare historical item over here. I just can't see it go to the shredder. I am trying to avoid hoarding too much but I couldn't resist this one. Useful or not, it's cool.

 

[rsanter]

There are several writeups on the Internet where people have used a grinder as the basis of a belt grinder.
Everything from a 2 wheel design bolting an arm going upwards to the grinder to simply bolting the grinder to the back of a frame to just be used as a motor.

I’m assuming that thing has good torque so should be good for a belt grinder build. Plus you can use a VFD to vary the speed for more precision of you want.
If the grinder is junk then you have a great base for your belt grinder

 

[jhn9840]

If you can get it functional and cleaned up. Then you decide that it isn't something you can use. Maybe sell it to someone who can use it and make yourself a nice profit.

jhn9840
John

 

[Steve from Socal]

That looks like a polisher someone made wheel guards for. A grinder would have a work rest either on the wheel cover housing or the grinder body.

Here is my 14" grinder notice the difference

 

[Wrench97]

Did that tag say "volts 380"

 

[Olafur]

That looks like a polisher someone made wheel guards for. A grinder would have a work rest either on the wheel cover housing or the grinder body.

Here is my 14" grinder notice the difference

I think the work rests are simply missing, but I could be wrong. You wouldn't happen to remember the RPM's of your grinder? I am assuming a polisher would have lover RPM than a grinder?

Quite a machine you got there, very cool.

Thanks.

 

[Olafur]

Did that tag say "volts 380"

Yes, 3 phase 380V is the standard over here for almost anything over 2kw.

 

[Steve from Socal]

I think the work rests are simply missing, but I could be wrong. You wouldn't happen to remember the RPM's of your grinder? I am assuming a polisher would have lover RPM than a grinder?

Quite a machine you got there, very cool.

Thanks.

On your machine the end bells are wider than a typical grinder, these are considered polishers/buffers. The RPM of my grinder is 1750 I don't have it here but, I have an old catalog with grinders and buffers. The difference being the width of the machines and the buffers not having work rests.

 

[Steve from Socal]

Take a look at the linked PDF, the last page shows buffers
http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=17213

 

[Olafur]

I see what you mean. Good info, thanks Steve.

 

[kazlx]

I'd grab that thing in a heartbeat. Worst case it maybe needs new bearings or something, which is pretty easy. Clean it up and paint it and it will look brand new. You can put deburring wheels, scotchbrite or a bunch of other things on them. Super handy.

 

[yhprum]

I wonder you many years it took to wear down that stone on the left side

 

[jabberwoki]

I have a big one , you`ll find excuses to use it once you restore it.
There`re fkn awesome.

 

[sberry]

Every compulsive junk collector should have one.

 

[Jason280]

I had one, maybe not quite that big, and never used it....absolutely served no purpose for my needs. Ended up giving it to a buddy of mine.

 

[sberry]

My FIL got me a bigger one, its still in storage building. I was so used to what I had, I have air and electric tools and am not really a restorer or whatever guys do with all that stuff anyway. About 90% is done with a 4 1/2 really, so used to it that can do what I need to do.

 

[Steve from Socal]

Y'all can speak for yourselves, I use my 14" grinder all the time. It is either that or a lil 6" grinder. I have a 20" disc grinder, a BurrKing 760 and a small belt sander, the 14" grinder gets used 70% of the time. I also have 4" 5" and 9" angle grinders, they are great for offhand work but not the same by any stretch.

Steve

 

[matt_i]

I had one once, about 2" wide wheels, bought at a swap meet. It was cool as heck but the wheels were all abused and needed replacing which at the time seemed like it was going to be mega money. I knew it would be useful for roughing out those 3/4" square HSS toolbit from blanks but I just don't use those much anymore and so it went on down the road.