Belt Grinder Stand/Storage & Organization Ideas

[Kevin McGhee]

Now that I have two belt grinders on the way I need to think about how I am going to set them up. I am thinking of making a work table, with both mounted to the top, with places for the attachments to slide into and a rack on the back for belts, but I was hoping you might have something to share.

 

[KnuckleDownKnives]

I'd suggest using the custom search engine on the site a read through some of the many many posts on these subjects..

https://cse.google.com/cse/publicurl?cx=012217165931761871935:iqyc7cbzhci

Search belt storage, shop tour.... You'll probably see a lot of pictures and get good ideas. Read what people have said, and you'll see what works and what doesn't.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Don't try and get too fancy with the racks and storage.
Tool arm racks can be as simple as PVC pipe strapped to the table side or rack.
Belt racks are also best if the belt hangs on 4-6" PVC. Make the rack with 2X4s and put 6" long pieces of the PVC pipe over them and attach with one or two screws.
Contact wheels can be stored on lag screws.
Get a small plastic parts box or little toolbox and put all the allen wrenches, box wrenches, spare fuses, spare handles and parts,etc. that go with the grinders in the box. Put the box on/under the work table and keep it there.

Depending on your shop, consider making the work table mobile with heavy duty locking wheels. This allows moving it out in the middle of the shop .... or rolling it outside on a nice day.

Don't forget good lighting over the work table.
Don't forget about dust collection.

 

[Stang Bladeworks]

I store my tool arms in 4 inch pvc pipes mounted diagonally at an upward angle right beside my grinder. I fasten them with perferated strapping. Its nice to not have to move too far to change attachments. For belt storage i use cheap hooks from home depot. I just screw them to my bench. I have a hook for each grit (new and used). I use lag bolts to store work rests and simillar items.

 

[Natlek]

Depending on your shop, consider making the work table mobile with heavy duty locking wheels. This allows moving it out in the middle of the shop .... or rolling it outside on a nice day.

I like heavy stable bench without wheels .My new grinder now probably weight more then 180 lbs and for moving around I use cold beer When i need to move this thing I just open one beer loudly ......... two minute later my neighbor is already there

 

[Mahoney]

Our grinder is mounted on top of a small table with steel legs, tool arms and work rests store below the table between the legs in a rack made from pieces of square tube.

I used to keep my belts on hooks on the wall, then I read a post on this forum to the effect of "why are all your fine grit belts hanging out in the open air, possibly being contaminated with larger grit dust?" That got me thinking, and the next time past an Ikea I picked up a Helmer drawer unit. The drawers are a bit deeper than needed, but 2X72 belts fit in pretty well, and it didn't cost much. Now the only belts out are the ones in use, and the new belts stay clean