mcraigl Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Well, My 2x72 belt grinder build is nearing completion. I still need to make a work rest, that will probably happen tommorow evening. I'm all booked up with a blue and gold banquet this evening, and maybe blueprints if I get home early enough (doubtful). Anyway, y'all can look at the pix and let me know what you think. I had all the parts that were feasible cut out by the waterjet guys. Fab'd the rest. Mike-hr did the welding for me. I had them cut all the bolt holes a little undersized and then I just reamed them with the appropriate drill bit depending on whether they were a clearance hole, or getting tapped. I'm estimating the weight at around 200lbs, and she just sits there and purrs. The bearing on the small contact wheel gets warm after 15 minutes of grinding, not sure why other than it's really turning fast. This was not a cheap build. I was far too impatient to wait 'til I could scrounge stuff. I hunted for a cheaper motor for a while, but finally just ordered a brand new one. It's a 2hp, 3ph Baldor with a 7/8" shaft. I ordered the drive wheel from Joseph Bader since they use a direct drive system and bore their wheels 7/8". I talked to Rob at Beaumont, and it would've been cost prohibitive to have him rework his CNC program to build it. I did order the tracking and contact wheels from him. I websurfed 'til I was satisfied that I had found the most economical (cheapest) VFD and ordered it. All in all, I'm just about a grand into this grinder, but for the features and build quality I've got I think it's still way cheaper than buying a commercially built one. Plus, I get the satisfaction of having built it myself. I did all the design work in AutoCAD, and once I was satisfied with a part, I was able to email the DXF file to the waterjet shop and pick it up after work. A very fun build that has occupied me for about the last month. Cheers, ML Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 As if I don't have enough projects, this inspires me to build another grinder LOL. No, I'll make do with mine as it works great for me but I do really like this design. I can see, at least IMHO that it could be done rather inexpensively if one had the resources . Xxxxxxxxx grinder mcgraig! I LOVE it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintjohnbarleycorn Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 nice job, is your vfd enclosure home made, and is the back open, I see some thing that looks like wire nuts behind it. If so you might want to think about the metal dust that might get in there, being a conductor it could cause havoc. I think I have you beat on Frankenstein its alive though! ha ha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcraigl Posted February 25, 2009 Author Share Posted February 25, 2009 Yes, I couldn't find a box I liked so I just fabbed one up out of 22ga. sheetmetal. You do see wire nuts in the picture, I took it before I buttoned everything up. I didn't want to close it all up until I had made sure the motor was going to spin the correct direction in case I had to switch some wires around. It's all buttoned up now though. You just may have me beat on the frankengrinder. If you look closely, you'll see that this one's name was etched into the tracking/tension arm by the waterjet shop. In my best german accent, Fukengrinden is it's name. I've run into numerous little "issues" along the path on this build and have been updating the cad drawing as I go, so when I go to build another one, it should be a piece of cake. I've got a feeling we'll be building one for Mike-hr before too long so I should get a chance to put that statement to the test. We'll see. Or maybe I'll build a few to sell? who knows. Anyway, just glad to have it operational. Hopefully tonight I'll get the workrest done, then tommorow night I'll be able to forge a blade or two and do some grinding on it. That'll be exciting!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentiron1946 Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Saint John Barley Corn, I think that yours is way beyond Frankenstein! Both look like machines to get the job done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintjohnbarleycorn Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 are you think along the lines of grindasoraus? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintjohnbarleycorn Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 or rubegrindasouras? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 (edited) Talk about FrankenMonster grinders, I just started throwing parts at at a motor and pully and "POOF!!" And it will not discriminate between flesh or steel ... Sorry about the clutter, and the tool rest is finished in real life ;) Edited February 27, 2009 by Dodge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintjohnbarleycorn Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 looks great, what size motor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Thanks. The Drive piviots so that the platen can be level with the floor or really any degree in between. It pins at 90 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finnr Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Scott: On some motors for my woodworking tools I have tapes a plain scotch brite pad over the vents. It makes a pretty good air filter. Just be sure to clean it out before each use. Finnr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintjohnbarleycorn Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 I also thought of using some air conditioner filter, for the vfd venting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reid Neilsen Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 Grind-zilla(s).... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
me miller Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 mcraig the only thing I would add is go to ELLIS'and get you a ceramic platten to glue to yours. you wont believe how much difference it will make to grind on.Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintjohnbarleycorn Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 I am curios about the platen, how does the ceramic help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
me miller Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 It is so slick that it slides over it. It will wear at a more even rate to keep you from getting score marks on your blades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.