Bench grinder motor attached to belt sander?

U

USMC_ROCKO

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Sep 19, 2011
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I am new to these forums and hope I am not posting in the wrong place, I am trying to figure out if it is possible to use a bench grinder motor for a Harbor Freight 1x30 belt sander to make a it a bit more powerful , The belts I am going to use are blaze grit sanding belts and I am starting out making knifes with good tools, and I am not trying to hurt my wallet.
 
A lot of people recommend harbor freight tools, but usually tools that are less critical, like hydraulic jacks. I haven't seen anyone recommend a harbor freight grinder, or drill press, for example. I don't see that HF 1X30 being of much use to you. Trying to modify it for more power will be a waste of money. A 2X42 is a better place to start.

Go down the knife making road and you will hurt your wallet. Try to make it hurt good.
 
There are many here that make good knives with a 1x30.I honestly never could.I had the 2x42 craftsman also.Both were great for shaping handles ect..If you really are going to make knives get the best 2x72 possible is my advice.I wish i would have 10 years ago instead of last year.Some things are just worth the money.That said from my personal experience,i have a friend locally that makes beautiful hidden tang skinners on a HF 1x30.He bought the extended warranty and is on his 4th or 5th free machine.All due to a switch problem.This is over the last 7 or 8 years.He's quite satisfied with Harbor Freight.
 
Yeah I would like to get or build a 2x72 belt grinder but they are all out of my budget, so I was thinking about building one like in Wayne Godards 50 dollar knife shop, it is refered to as Big Red, it uses a Dayton bench grinder with grinding wheels taken off and use the drive shaft to move the wheels, and various metal . And either homemade wheels or beaumount wheels.
 
USMC_ROCKO

If you're thinking about making a grinder, then I have just the design to follow. I found a picture of a homemade 2X72 grinder that fascinates me, and think it is what you're looking for. A peddle-powered belt grinder. If you use the gears from a racer you can go as fast or as slow as you want.

GrinderBicycleMexico52.jpg


I believe this gem was in Mexico where they have a saying "Queder es poder". A literal translation is "To want to is to be able to", or "If you want something bad enough you'll find a way to make it happen".

I agree with alb1K, By the time you get done messing around adapting the HF grinder you'll have spent enough money that you could have gotten a Sears 2X42. (maybe)

- Paul Meske
 
Well I understand and that is why I am only going to use the HF 1x30 for sharpening and doing handle work, I am trying to see if I can just build one using a 5" Bench grinder with the rpm at 3450 , and build the frame around it. I mean I have all types of angle steel and wood at my dissposal to build what ever I need, I just need to know if using a bench grinder motor to build a belt grinder will help me .
 
You may be able to do it, but it sounds like a very difficult project with no guarantee or proven set of plans to work with.
 
I got my idea from wayne godards 50 dollar knife shop , had it in depth and how good the bench grinder works for a motor to do a belt grinder.
 
Aren't most of the 1"ers driven by 1725rpm mtrs? My old sears was. The 3450 may be a bit much for the standard little 1" belts.....could get scary on a small scale.
Since I went vari speed on my 2x I rarely go at top speed, not found a need (all my "heavy" metal moving is done with a hammer).
 
USMC_ROCKO,

I really respect the idea of making a home-made grinder.

Before you try the bench grinder to 1x30 conversion, I think it would be well worth your while to look at the homemade grinder plans for bigger grinders - you will end up with a much better grinder, and will have access to a variety of belts that aren't available in the 1x30. Even if you don't make a 2x72, you will likely get some ideas toward a smaller build.

I think if you try searching this site for "grinder in a box" and "kmg plans" it will be well worth your time.
 
Tait said:
USMC_ROCKO,

I really respect the idea of making a home-made grinder.

Before you try the bench grinder to 1x30 conversion, I think it would be well worth your while to look at the homemade grinder plans for bigger grinders - you will end up with a much better grinder, and will have access to a variety of belts that aren't available in the 1x30. Even if you don't make a 2x72, you will likely get some ideas toward a smaller build.
Click to expand...


I agree, go to the Grinder section of this post

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...r-anywhere)-Oly-Wa-US?p=10047328#post10047328
 
Thank you guys for all the info but I am now going to build a 2x72 belt grinder like michael morris or wayne goddard, Or I can buy a used one.
 
I would strongly suggest a KMG or NWG style

It gives you a tooling arm which means - round contact wheel, flat platen, small wheel, flat disc are all possible.


and it allows you to use step pulleys for inexpensive variable speed.

You won't know how valuable variable speed is until you have tried it.

NWG
You can build it all "no weld" but it's much more tidy if you can weld it.
It's all tubing so the steel materials are pretty sheap and simple, just buy the cut lengths & the dimensions are not critical.

[video=youtube;7j9nkzbAsms]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j9nkzbAsms[/video]
 
I like that design of the NWG but I dont have a 500 or even 1000 dollars to get that kind of set up , that Is why I am trying to build one. And I am looking at the Grizzly 2x72 and it basically looks like a buffer motor or a belt grinder motor with a simple frame to it . I mean If I build my grinder of of a grizzley then it may save me some green till I can afford a NWG or KMG. So if there are any builds that may be cheaper and like what I have just described what I want to build , let me know guys.
 
USMC_ROCKO said:
I like that design of the NWG but I dont have a 500 or even 1000 dollars to get that kind of set up , that Is why I am trying to build one. And I am looking at the Grizzly 2x72 and it basically looks like a buffer motor or a belt grinder motor with a simple frame to it . I mean If I build my grinder of of a grizzley then it may save me some green till I can afford a NWG or KMG. So if there are any builds that may be cheaper and like what I have just described what I want to build , let me know guys.
Click to expand...

It gives you a tooling arm which means - round contact wheel, flat platen, small wheel, flat disc are all possible.

The grizzly doesn't have these features either & they are really worth while.

If you're building one, the wheels & motor are the most expensive parts - no matter which design you choose.
The extra materials it takes to do a toolbar setup is very little.


The frame can be made with tubing or angle iron - look around and find some scraps, it can be very cheap.

You can get used motors very cheap.
Free to $50 for a $300 motor is possible.

once you use the pulleys, it's easy to change the setup to use any motor.


Some people like Mike Morris have made wheels from MDF, but he's using a metal lathe to balance and true it.
I think he's running it slow too & maybe it won't fly apart on him.



Have a look at these plans & adapt them to your free materials.

http://www.dfoggknives.com/PDF/GrinderPlans.pdf


Variable speed, round contact wheel, flat platen, small wheel, flat disc, are all worth while to have.





Even this type could have variable speed pulleys on it.
http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCKnifeMakingGrinders.htm
 
Yeah fast14riot that is exactley the type of grinder I want to build, and it would be a 2x72 belt grinder . I just dont know what is the best way of building the one out of wood.
 
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