Static “shock” from 1x30 bench grinder

[ifirefight]

Any way to eliminate being shocked every few minutes from my 1x30 belt grinder.The plug is grounded, I ran an external ground also from the machine. I’m grinding metal on it. I’m in South Florida so humidity might make it worse. I’m even wearing gloves. Any help is appreciated.


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[RTM]

Usually it’s lack of humidity coupled with the air motion. Curious.

 

[driftpin]

Sounds like the belt motion causes a build-up of static electricity. I'm south of you, and never-had that type of problem. Maybe the accumulation of dust from metal grinding is contributing to the issue? I wouldn't recommend using air pressure to blow-out the machinery, as that will be putting all that particulate matter airborne, and anyone seeing you in the shop with a mask will assume you're a coronavirus Typhoid-Mary.

Maybe move the machine outside, use PPE, and blow it out.

 

[Hytekrednek]

a good ground should stop static build up. That is curious

 

[ez-duzit]

Could be an electrical fault.

 

[cvairwerks]

Static wrist strap to the grinder just like you were working with static sensitive electronics. Wherever you are at, the humidity is probably under 30% if this happening pretty regular.

Something other than home shop for a location would be helpful.

 

[ifirefight]

Static wrist strap to the grinder just like you were working with static sensitive electronics. Wherever you are at, the humidity is probably under 30% if this happening pretty regular.
.

This seems to work! Thanks [emoji106]


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[driftpin]

Static wrist strap to the grinder just like you were working with static sensitive electronics. Wherever you are at, the humidity is probably under 30% if this happening pretty regular.

Something other than home shop for a location would be helpful.

This seems to work! Thanks [emoji106]

Better ensure that you can't have your hand/arm pulled-into the mechanism, if your strap becomes entangled. Some-sort of a safety 'breakaway.'

 

[ifirefight]

Better ensure that you can't have your hand/arm pulled-into the mechanism, if your strap becomes entangled. Some-sort of a safety 'breakaway.'

I actually attached it to my ankle like a surfboard leash, keeping my hands free...just gotta remember not to walk off with it still attached. Lol


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[gungatim]

I have the same problem using my buffing wheel on the bench grinder. I've started wearing gloves just for that reason.

 

[paulsomlo]

Are the wheels plastic or rubber? If so, the constant motion of the belt separating from the surface of the wheels generates a charge, as does the air moving past the belt. If the wheels are non-conductive, the charge can't dissipate through them to the frame of the machine - that's why the external ground wasn't effective. By wearing a wrist strap, you're constantly bleeding off charge before it can accumulate.

In industry, this is a problem, because many times there are sensitive electronics nearby. The way they deal with it, is by either using plastic/rubber parts with conductive compound added, wiping down plastic/rubber parts periodically with an antistatic solution, or adding copper wipers that impinge on rotating plastic/rubber parts to bleed off any charge. Humidity actually helps the situation. It happens to me here on my belt grinder, it's annoying.

 

[ifirefight]

Are the wheels plastic or rubber? If so, the constant motion of the belt separating from the surface of the wheels generates a charge, as does the air moving past the belt. If the wheels are non-conductive, the charge can't dissipate through them to the frame of the machine - that's why the external ground wasn't effective. By wearing a wrist strap, you're constantly bleeding off charge before it can accumulate.

In industry, this is a problem, because many times there are sensitive electronics nearby. The way they deal with it, is by either using plastic/rubber parts with conductive compound added, wiping down plastic/rubber parts periodically with an antistatic solution, or adding copper wipers that impinge on rotating plastic/rubber parts to bleed off any charge. Humidity actually helps the situation. It happens to me here on my belt grinder, it's annoying.

It’s a cheap HF one, not sure if the wheels are plastic or rubber...would steel wheels fix the problem (or even work on that type machine)??? If so, I have a lathe and can probably whip some wheels up no problem...would steel or aluminum wheels be better? Thanks for all the replies!


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[driftpin]

Some industries actually use small flames to rid what's being processed of the static charge.

 

[paulsomlo]

It’s a cheap HF one, not sure if the wheels are plastic or rubber...would steel wheels fix the problem (or even work on that type machine)??? If so, I have a lathe and can probably whip some wheels up no problem...would steel or aluminum wheels be better? Thanks for all the replies!


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That might work - but I'm thinking you'll need electrical contact between the wheels and the frame. Here's an experiment - when you're experiencing shock, try wetting the wheels lightly with water, see if that mitigates it. You could even try something like this: https://www.zoro.com/acl-staticide-staticide-wipes-5-in-h-x-8-in-pk24-sw12/i/G3918241/. You might even be able to buy something equivalent locally, sold for cleaning computer screens.

 

[ifirefight]

Some industries actually use small flames to rid what's being processed of the static charge.

Well I am a firefighter, so that’s right up my alley.. [emoji12]


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[matt_i]

Potentially you can strip down a stranded wire and spread out the long conductors, then use it like a brush to lightly contact various parts, even the backside of the belt. Connect the other end to your bond. I think I'd try grounding the contact platen first though, even if using something like an alligator clip.

 

[larry_g]

Had one with the plastic wheels that would hit you good. Made up a copper wiper that wiped the back of the belt where it left the wheel and grounded it to the frame, problem solved.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[ifirefight]

Had one with the plastic wheels that would hit you good. Made up a copper wiper that wiped the back of the belt where it left the wheel and grounded it to the frame, problem solved.

lg
no neat sig line

I’ve seen that done in a video using a brass wire brush..I might try to rig that up. Still wondering if metal wheels will solve the problem?


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[desertdog256]

For what it’s worth, my sander does the same thing and I am in Louisiana where it’s pretty humid all the time.