October 6, 2025Oct 6 Author Did a little more poking around and discovered two things. First, the absence of a catalog number on the motor label indicates that it wasn’t a stock model, but probably a custom model for Wilton. Second, I found an older explanation of motor enclosure types that simply made a distinction between “totally enclosed” and “drip proof”. I also found a bunch of examples of nameplates that had either “TE” or “DP” next to the horsepower rating. I think we can consider this one resolved.
October 6, 2025Oct 6 I looked at the rating system and there was so much overlap I decided the application counted for a lot. Determining what your motor rating is might be interesting but no real consequence. Resolved works for me. Frosty The Lucky.
October 6, 2025Oct 6 Author Especially considering that Jet (which bought Wilton and continued making the design) uses a motor that is both identical in appearance and is explicitly identified as TEFC:
October 6, 2025Oct 6 Thanks John. I've been feeling irritable today for some reason and didn't want to say something I'd regret and really didn't want it spilling elsewhere on the forum. Frosty The Lucky.
October 10, 2025Oct 10 Author Another update: blew up another 36 grit Cubitron belt. It was my own darn fault: I presented a workpiece to the grinder in a way that was practically guaranteed to catch the leading corner of the splice and tear it apart. The good news is that only about half of the splice let go, with the rest of the break being in the belt. Still happy with the present method, and appreciate the experiential reminder not to grind that way.
October 10, 2025Oct 10 It's a good sign when the only failure is operator error, that happens to everybody now and then. Frosty The Lucky.
October 10, 2025Oct 10 Also a good sign that the belt didn't grab the work piece and cause an unplanned for injury. I have come close with our 2X72 belt grinder, when not paying attention. When Debi and I are both in the shop and something like that happens, the first thing I hear is "are you bleeding?" I can’t control the wind. All I can do is adjust my sails. ~Semper Paratus~
October 11, 2025Oct 11 "Are you bleeding?" was a common question in our family anytime something happened. One time in the direct aftermath of the 1971 Sylmar earth quake, I rode it out safely but humorously being rolled up and down the hall amidst the blankets, towels and linen dumped from the closets just missed being crushed by the toilet that bounced around in the bathroom I was stepping out of when the quake started. When it stopped, all 51 seconds of it. I got up and started checking, I yelled at my Grandmother and little Sister to stay put in bed and walked around the corner, Mother was in the kitchen buried mid shin deep in broken glass, dishes, etc. I told her to stay where she was I'd dig a path, all of maybe 4' but no way did either of us want her waking out wearing a robe. When she got clear by jumping onto the counter I ran out the front door to close the gas at the meter and kill the power at the panel. I got back in and took a closer look at Dad who'd ridden it out at the kitchen table, every time he tried to stand up the table knocked him back in the chair pinning him against the end of the counter. Anyway, he was standing just inside the pantry door dripping RED and looking a little bewildered. I yelled, "Dad are you okay?" he, "I'm covered in blood but can't tell where it's coming from." We'd both seen so many B A D cuts we remained calm but holy moly that much blood in maybe 30 seconds! He should've been unconscious. "I'm coming around the other side, find the cut!" I was turning to start running and he yells out, "It's okay, it's ketchup, I'm not bleeding!" Mother, sitting on a counter scootching her way to the hall doorway breaks into laughter which sets Dad and I off and there we are in the wreckage of our kitchen laughing our butts off. Mom, my Grandmother comes out of her room hearing the laughter and I headed back to check Shannnon. She was okay, scared but okay. The quake woke her up and the shelf over her bed came loose on one end and swung over and off the other nail, missing her completely. Happily we were leasing the house and the camper survived in tact landing on rolls of chain link fencing, horses were fine if frightened. Sylmar was a mess but got off pretty light. Now I wonder how many times the question under discussion got asked. The above is my most memorable memory, probably because it had a funny answer. Frosty The Lucky.
October 13, 2025Oct 13 Author Another video showing belt splicing for a homemade belt grinder. This one has an interesting variation on removing the grit from the fabric backing by gluing it a board and peeling it off. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DYDh3GwZg/?mibextid=wwXIfr Looks like more trouble than it’s worth, but I thought I’d pass it along anyway.
October 13, 2025Oct 13 Stripping the grit from the belt is about the only thing interesting in the video. Do you think the method would work on a high speed metal rated belt? Frosty The Lucky.
October 13, 2025Oct 13 Author I honestly don't know, and I'm not inclined to try and find out. I do know that the cyanoacrylate glue shown in the video probably isn't strong enough. Additionally, the amount of work involved in de-gritting every single belt probably isn't worth the hassle.
October 13, 2025Oct 13 Yeah, I'd add it to my, "Can be done but not worth it." files If I hadn't round filed that file years go. The de-gritting technique is the only thing I'd keep in my, "maybe if," file. I try not to discourage people from the do it yourself experiments, you never know when something or a combination of different somethings might be just what you need in a pinch. Frosty The Lucky.
October 28, 2025Oct 28 Author A little belt making. Tape got a bit off-center, but it’s looking good.
October 28, 2025Oct 28 Author I think I’ll add a guide line to the clamping jig, to align the ends of the belt and give a visual aid for placing the tape.
October 28, 2025Oct 28 Sounds like a good idea, I think I'd make the alignment marks temporary in case they don't work, that way they can't confuse things later. The adhesive saturation looks really good. Frosty The Lucky.
October 29, 2025Oct 29 Author Another glue-up; this one after I scribed in an alignment mark. Looking good. (NB: I didn’t split the belt as evenly as I would have liked, which is why it’s wider below the splice than above.)
October 29, 2025Oct 29 Looking better. Please note, no snide remarks about being wider below the belt. Frosty The Lucky.
October 29, 2025Oct 29 Author If I were to hang my grinder from the ceiling, it would have suspenders and a belt!
December 29, 2025Dec 29 Author Rescue session for some of the belts that blew apart after removing the splice tape and glue residue, I sanded the coating off the back of the belt until the fibers were exposed and made sure all surfaces were thoroughly wetted before gluing and clamping. Slight variation this time: since the label on the bottle notes that joints benefit from extended clamping times, I’m clamping each belt for an hour in the jig and then moving them to a simpler jig (two boards and a C-clamp) to cure. While I know that I'm violating Frosty’s “Only change one variable at a time“ rule, this means that I’ll be able to get more belts glued up during this warm spell we’re having.
December 29, 2025Dec 29 Author Addendum: The crowned top of a piece of railroad track is an excellent support for sanding the back surface of the belts.
December 29, 2025Dec 29 You've always been a pretty reckless risk taker kind of guy John, I gave up on you long ago. Frosty The Lucky.
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