Belt Grinder build

[GHarman]

I am moving out of heavy, for me, fabrication due to physical limitations. Gonna leave that heavy stuff to you youngins':-lafOo. . However, my shop has a need for a belt grinder with 3 position usage. The serrated 8-10" contact wheel, the removable platen/slack belt position and, on the opposite end a narrow section the allows for a 2" diameter contact wheel with the belt running parallel for about 4" as it runs onto and off the 2" contact wheel. I have seen many plans out there and would like input from anyone that may have their own ideas. (I may have to build 2 units, to get what I need?) I will be glad to post my progress with pictures. The belts will be 2"X72" . I know where I can get an adjustable tracking head and idler pullys as well as contact wheels. If you have other sources for price comparisons, I would certainly be interested. I would like to keep the price under $400 for all the components. A commercial square wheel belt grinder costs about $1800 at the low end. Thanks! GregH



PS, I have the steel to build the framework.

 

[GHarman]

I decided to start with a ready made two wheel head for stock edge prep. Kalamazoo makes a 2"X48". I have a Craftsman two machine setup on its own table with 2 motors that use belts to drive some older wood working tools. The motors are in really good shape and this 2 wheel belt head is also a pully drive and would nicely replace the little sander. The other unit is a very small joiner that would be replaced by the squarewheel belt grinder. I just got to come up with a design that will be useful. Heres a link to a picture of the unit that I purchased for $250 plus shipping. An American Made ToolOo. ??!!! Greg



2FS 2″ Belt Sander | Kalamazoo Industries

 

[kenny61]

My dad was a machinist made his own machinist tools, vices and such. Keep us posted it will give me some good memories

 

[GHarman]

Kenny61, I will keep posting. I just dont want to reinvent the wheel! I have found several sets of plans out there in internet land and may use them with some modifications. My pardner built one for his shop, His own design, that uses a ball bearing wheel mounted rubber tire, from Harbor Freight, as a tension wheel, a door hinge for the tension wheel mount/adjustment as well as a few other ideas. Its very interesting and it works! I cant take all Spring and Summer of 2010 on this as I need it yesterday:-laf. I may even become entrepenural in the process:-lafOo. . GregH

 

[GHarman]

"Ask and you shall receive"!

After some searching on the 'net, I found a set of plans that may be just the ticket! I watched the accompaning video and it seems all the R&D is complete. It looks like a really servicable piece of equipment with lots of options. So! I ordered the plans and hope to get started on them ASAP. The original design is a bolted together, "no weld". However, I will be welding where appropriate. GregH

Heres the link: ! Plans for the No Weld Grinder - Sander. Nearly 50 pages... No Weld Grinder Sander - 2x72 belt sander grinder