Building my new 2X72 grinder

roxtar

roxtar

Joined
Mar 11, 2010
Messages
85
Well, got the main unit welded up.
I used the prints from the no-weld grinder but, since I'd much rather weld than drill & tap holes, I switched steel in place of aluminum.

I searched for whoever posted the prints for this unit but came up empty so, if you're out there, thanks.

Next up is building the main tooling arms with attachments, machining the wheels, and getting out the sander to make it all pretty.

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Then it's time to set up the motor.

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Thanks
I actually meant I used steel instead of the aluminum the prints called for.
I don't have a TIG setup, only MIG.
It could definitely use a little lightening but it should outlive the cockroaches in nuclear winter. :D
 
I have one that looks just like that on my bench. Well almost, I did not weld it but used flat head cap screws to hold it together. It is at about the same stage of completion. Just waiting for my wheels from Rob at Beaumont metal works to finish putting it together. I had to make a base for my motor, it is a 2hp 3ph baldor C face. The face is ready but I need to weld it to the base plate. I should have it running by the end of next week. Have to take momma camping or I would have it done sooner...

Oh it has only been 18 years not having one. I decided to go ahead and build one to move into the 21st century.
 
roxtar said:
Good eye.
I have a 4X4 fabrication shop, specializing in Land Rovers.
This is a buddy's XJ we're parting out to raise cash for the new project; a '91 Range Rover desert racer.
Click to expand...

I have a '94 Country that I wheel (ARB lockers front and rear, OME/JKS lift, 33x10.5s, 4.56 gears, Ford 8.8 w/Super 88 kit, ARB bumper w/winch, snorkel, etc. etc.). Also in the family are the wife's '90 Wagoneer Limited and my daughter's WIP '95 Sport. I've got most of a '92 Limited for parts. So I notice XJ parts :D

There is a local Rover club in this area--they have a yearly winter meet/trail run. Great looking trucks--if I wasn't heavily invested in the XJ platform....
 
Cool, I started out building XJs.
Here's my old '99 Classic; caged, 4 link rear/3 link front 8.8/D44.
I used to be the VP of NAXJA (North American XJ Assoc) midwest.

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Here's the current "company vehicle"
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A couple mandatory posing shots. (Large bald guy is the owner of the XJ we're parting. He's been converted to the Land Rover coolaid :D)

BTW, I'm new to these forums. I assume hijacking your own thread is acceptable?

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I am still new at this, but the belt tension spring looks a little light. I had to add a heavier spring when I built mine. The belt would wander without more tension.
Looks good, have you tried it yet?
 
Still working on the pulley configuration.

Agree completely on the spring; not just the tension but the whole design.
Without something to keep it centered, a coil spring just bends instead of compressing.
I just ordered a 20# 6" gas strut from McMaster that I'm going to try instead.
 
Nice XJ! Certainly way more hardcore than mine, and the flex! I kind of designed mine to do "everything"--daily driver, most Eastern type trails, mild rocks and the like. I did one run down in Mass with NAXJA a few years back--I should re-up my membership. Here is the obligatory pic, after which we will return to knife making ;-)

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OK, back to work.
Allllllmost done.
Got all the wheels done, the stand built, and the motor mounted.

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The gas strut seems to be the perfect answer to the coil spring problem.

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Up next is building the platen.
Pulleys should be in next week.
I just have to wire the switch and it's time to make sparks fly.
 
zaph1 said:
Looking good. How much play is in the tube that holds the attachments?
Click to expand...
Thanks.
None.
I clamped everything together around a 1.5" X 1.5" tube when I welded it.
I had to use a press to get the tube out after it all cooled.
I actually have to grind/sand down the attachment arms to fit inside it.
That allows me to keep things as tight as I want.
 
Last edited:
Roxtar: You may have seen my other thread about building mine. One of the problems I had was the amount of play in the tube. I saw how you made your own tube and wondered how well it worked. I had to install several adjustable screws in it to limit the play(and adjust for tracking).

Platen is next on mine, also.
 
zaph1 said:
Roxtar: You may have seen my other thread about building mine. One of the problems I had was the amount of play in the tube. I saw how you made your own tube and wondered how well it worked. I had to install several adjustable screws in it to limit the play(and adjust for tracking).

Platen is next on mine, also.
Click to expand...
I also changed the plans there. I'll try my best to describe what I did.

Instead of clamping the arm with just a bolt pushing directly into it (or in your case, several screws) I left out a 3" section of the tube and then welded a piece of 1/4" plate with a threaded hole to cover it.
I then cut out a piece that loosely fits in the left out space.
When I tighten the clamp screw it now pushes on that plate, rather than the arm itself.
clampplate.jpg

That helps in two ways; it keeps the screw from galling the arm and it spreads out the clamping force.
This might help considerably if you have too much play in the tube.
You could actually cut out 8" or so of the tube side and use two screws.
This would force the arm solidly against the backside of the tube.



I milled out the platen yesterday and finally made some sparks.
Yeeha!!!

platen001.jpg


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