Makeshift grinders...

[JDarvall]

Thought I'd better contribute some. Been a while. I've got a couple of things I really want to show off, BUT, I sort of want to keep them to myself at the same time...uno how it is

So instead, I've got a few pics of a grinder setup I fixed up this avo....quite proud off....(don't laugh:mad: ..it ant pretty , Remember, Its all about 'function' in my shed....in so far as the tools anyway)

See, what I want is to mount as many wheels as possible in the small area, that is my shed. Different wheels permanently setup speeds things up immensly. And I don't like buying new grinders when I've got parts lying about that should do the job.....

Here's the pully setup. It is powered by a washing machine motor...up on the wall....Interestingly I've found that, whilst not a dramatic improvement, a wall mounted motor brings less vibration to your wheel than if the motors afixed to the same table the workheads on. Vibrations going into the wall more I'd say.

I've got a belt going from the motor to an old workhead thats positioned with its grinding wheel overhanging the table. I intend to use this wheel for grinding flat surfaces. Its not mean't for grinding on its side, but it works fine. Done it before in my old house. I've put a plate between the wheel and the workhead to help support it from the side pressure I'll exert on it.
<div><img src="http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d74/apricotripper/1hhh.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />

Theres a double pulley on this first workhead, that allows me to run another belt to a forward workhead. This workhead I picked up off a garage sale. Brass bushings...no bearings like in the first workhead, which is a worry. I've had a brassed bushed workhead like this one before whose bushings wore out real quick...probably from all the fine grit flying about from my wheels....so I've got to keep it well greased. Off this workhead I have a wire wheel, a small profile grinding wheel, and a thin cuttoff wheel mounted in a chuck....<- I use all these to sharpen up profile blades.

The whole systems quite vibration free. Thankfully. A heavy bench helps

Quite proud of this...A pic of the motor with its Fred Flintstone housing

I managed to work out the wiring so I could have 2 speeds, in either direction. The speed switch is from the switch you find in regular household pedistal fans. I picked one up off the side of the road.
One of the buttons 'stops', one's for 'slow' speed, and ones for 'fast'.....The washing machine the motor came from must have a couple of speeds. (maybe slow was the washing cycle, and fast was the rinse ?)

The other switch is a regular 2P2T switch (I think that was what it was ? ) that governs the direction. either 'forward' or 'reverse' ....
<div><img src="http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d74/apricotripper/2hhh.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />

Why the need for all these speed and direction controls ? ...you don't need them, but it presents options....like.
1. wire brushes are best used by reversing the direction on occation, cause the wire bristles tend to 'bend' in one direction after a while and don't cut as well.
2. being able to reverse the horizontal grinding wheel, means I can dress the wheel off a bar on one side of the face whilst leaving the other half open so I can freehand a grind....see, dressing and grinding really are best done with the wheel coming down into the blade edge or wheel dresser. So, I just reverse the direction to dress.
3. I may one day mount a mop or felt wheel which must move away from the blade.....so, I'd reverse it then.

As for speed, in general I think its not important. I prefer fast over slow. But the speed at the perimeter of a wheel will be faster for a larger wheel over a smaller one....so, speed control could be useful if I mount a larger wheel and it starts going too fast. When that the case I just use the slow setting. Either that or play with the pully sizes.

Here's a quick pic of the horizontal wheel setup I've mentioned before, with me sort of showing the side I'll grind with a blade. The other sides not finished yet, but I've placed a file to show how a little rest will go....off this rest I'll jig a diamond stick jig, so I can dress the wheel flat on occation.
<div><img src="http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d74/apricotripper/4hhh.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><br />

..... not bad eh ?...AND I didn't even electrocute myself setting it up. Not once.

[Andy Mac]

Hey Jake,
I like it a lot...does nearly everything you need, and it didn't cost too much, with the added bonus of satisfaction from doing it yourself!
It's got that wonderful 'homebrew' look to it, but for me I'd be a bit of wus and bung a guard over the belts ...I have an aversion to them!
I've been considering something similar, but for now I have a movable base with one normal grinder pointing one way and and 180degrees away is another, with a Multi-Tool on one side and a tapered spindle on the other for mops and buffs...pretty quick to change. When I said the base was movable it needs some work, but the thing's never going to be as stable or vibration free as yours.

Well done

[Caliban]

Jake
I love it. It has "real shed" written all over it. I'd feel comfortable in your shed but I'd be nervous in a neat shed like, (for example, and no offense intended,) Sturdee's.
I like the multi belt setup. Wish I could scrounge bearing shafts like that.

[Auld Bassoon]

Hi Shane!

Love it - just like a 19th century w/shop - and nothing wrong with that (OH&S notwithstanding ). I have to admit that I'm also a bit averse to open drive belts :eek: as I've had a "wake-up" call from one some time ago...

Cheers!

[Clinton1]

As usual, lateral thinking and great commonsense.
Good stuff.

Edit: I've been too stingy with the greenies, and can't give you one... owe ya.

[forge]

[QUOTE=apricotripper]
I've got a few pics of a grinder setup I fixed up this avo....quite proud off....(don't laugh:mad: ..it ant pretty , Remember, Its all about 'function' in my shed....in so far as the tools anyway)

Love the set up -Mr Apricotstriper.I especiali like the chuck mounted on one of the shaft's .Is that a blade you have in the chuck?Did you try to use a flexshaft in the chuck?
Regards ,Bela

[ThePope]

Holy s-hit, now that's a real mans grinder. Looks like something from Mad Max.
Not sure I got the balls to use it but, Love It...

ps: how many fingers in last pic, I only see 3

[JDarvall]

Glad you fella's like it...... thanks.

I suspect I've made a mistake mounting that brass bushed workhead, but I was too tempted to the multiple mountings it offered. I can't seem to be able to buy new bearing mounts like it, cheaply.

I was given good advice recently about a Timbecon special...their selling a bearing workhead for under $50. But, still they only offer one wheel mount. If anybody knows where you can buy a new cheap 2 ended bearing version (uno, threads both ends of shaft, with pully in middle) I'd like to hear about it.

Also ,like to know where, if possible, one can buy a white wheel thats larger than 8". Be great for the side grinder. Its time to buy a new wheel. The one mounted in picture is only around 6 and 1/2".

The chuck is an old Jacobs type I got for $5 at the markets, and was thrilled to find that it had the same thread as the workheads shaft. Which is kinda handy for mounting anything quickly...

Forge - in the chuck is a bit that takes one of those thin cuttoff disks that fit regular powered hand grinders, uno. I've never tried a flexy chuck before....It may fit, yes ? I'll have to get one of those and try.

Thepope - Fingers ? I'm not doing to bad actually. Still got 9 full length ones. Middle fingers of my right hands a little shorter, so, I can't be as offensive as I'd like to be. :eek: (joking, I'm not like that one bit )

Haven't had any open belt accidents yet. Touched the belt plenty of times, but then, I never seem to have much trouble with danger I can see, touch wood....Oddly, I only seem to hurt myself when the dangers hidden .....I did that with my jointer cutting my finger tip off. No problems with the safty guard off for 2 years. Put the guard back on and loose the tip.. :confused:

[forge]

Glad you fella's like it...... thanks.
I suspect I've made a mistake mounting that brass bushed workhead, but I was too tempted to the multiple mountings it offered. I can't seem to be able to buy new bearing mounts like it, cheaply. :

apricotripper-i brought pillow block's(bearings mounted in castings)From bearing distributors.the price was quite reasonable about$12 for a 25mm shaft.I can see why you would want to keep it.
Regards ,Bela

[scooter]

...
Also ,like to know where, if possible, one can buy a white wheel thats larger than 8". Be great for the side grinder. Its time to buy a new wheel. ...

Jake, maybe give someone like Flexovit or Norton a ring or email.

Check out your local tool shop maybe & note the manufacturers of the grinding wheels there.

Garryson I think is another, they make flap disks, maybe wheels as well?


Cheers................Sean

[Bodgy]

Great work Apricot. I'm also finding I need about 3 bench grinders, 1 x wire brush and brass brush wheels, 1 x buffing and white wheels, 1 x coarse and fine wheels.

Like your idea of the one power source.

I would guard the belts tho, looks like they're at willie height.

[MICKYG]

Apricottripper,

It looks like you could grind anything with that gear. Be aware that sparks or the little pieces that come from grinding metal way be able to get into that motor and may cause some unwanted damage. Just a thought.

Regards Mike.

[JDarvall]

Thanks..

I would guard the belts tho, looks like they're at willie height.

.... oooo.. ....that have to be the worst kind of chinese burn...getting your tackle caught between a belt and a pully ...

Your right, I should cover them up....also kids, I shouldn't have done all the electrical work myself either....Only a qualified electrician should have done that. mmmmm

Ta Sean....I'll make a few calls on the stones.
Ta Mike also....I should cover up that motor better.