Viel belt grinder - what hp motor?

the table is probably homemade the top pulley and brace have been moved to the rear and an extra pulley added. it looks as it will wear belts quickly due to the new angle moving the pulley to the rear created
. the motor is openframe and wont last well when metallic particles get inside. if mine the top wheel would go back to stock location. look closely and you can see the red primer where it was
 
kn4wd said:
the table is probably homemade the top pulley and brace have been moved to the rear and an extra pulley added. it looks as it will wear belts quickly due to the new angle moving the pulley to the rear created
. the motor is openframe and wont last well when metallic particles get inside. if mine the top wheel would go back to stock location. look closely and you can see the red primer where it was
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Thanks for pointing out the modifications. When I was posting the pictures I thought the angle of the belt above the platen looked odd, but I wasn't sure what the problem was. I'll try to move the vertical column back to the original location.

Edit... I just had a look at it, and the column was welded in the original position. So someone went to a lot of trouble to move it. Very strange. I wonder what they were trying to achieve by moving it back? :confused:

I hear what you're saying about the motor, and I'll keep my eyes open for one that's sealed, but the motors that Viel and Lee Valley sell are also open frame. So is it really that big of a problem?

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I've been grinding for 2 years on my 1/3hp Viel.
 
if you do any serious grinding yes, the motor is magnetic and where do you think the metal fines go? I tried one using filter foam to shield it with, it worked around a year. the fines found their way inside and the motor went with a loud pow. yes the support weas welded in place instead of shimming the spring they moved the support arm.you also will want to get screws and springs for the tracking system and remove the shim stock. remember magnetism makes the motor turn and it will attract metal when running.
 
kn4wd said:
yes the support weas welded in place instead of shimming the spring they moved the support arm.you also will want to get screws and springs for the tracking system and remove the shim stock.
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Wow, this thing has really been butchered. The spring has been cut down too. I've relocated the arm and clamped it in place for now, but I had to add a wooden dowel shim almost 2" tall to get the proper tension on the belt. I emailed Viel about a new table and sent them a pic of the table that's on it now. They said this machine is more than 30 years old. I'm glad I didn't pay much for it.

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viel will sell the spring and the screws for tracking as well. I bought a spare wheel for mine to ream out for the 5/8 shaft. I had some duralon, a form of nylon over an inch thick. I cut a piece and fitted it to the tube so the spring rests on it now and it did improve tracking a lot. I would have the tube welded as it was in the first place. don't worry about age just refurb and use it.
 
streetcore said:
Thanks again for the advice. It seems odd that Viel would only sell them bundled with either a 1/4 or 1/3 HP motors. Why would they sell them like that if they're underpowered? They do sell 1/2 HP motors separately, and they're only $10 more than a 1/3 HP, so it can't be a cost thing. The 1/4 HP Baldor is a really good price and they're supposed to be great motors, but I'll start looking for something more powerful.
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I spoke with the rep at Viel a month or so ago. He told me that the reason they do this is because of Canadian Law. (I wonder if liability issues would be more accurate, but that is only a guess). They cannot sell you the 1/2 HP motor installed. But you can install it yourself.
 
My grinder finally died in July. I made some insane knives during the 2 years I ran it.
 
Frank Niro said:
These sanders . belt grinders have been made for all sorts of applications. 1/4 HP would immediately give you problems, none due to you but it would leave you wondering. Princes Auto has good motors at very reasonable prices here in Canada. By the way, some great work can be done on one of these! Sure wish I had enough room to leave mine on the bench at all times. Where did you find that Veil?
Frank
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Frank, I know this is an older thread but wanted to ask, do you know this for a fact? Have you had or do you have direct experience with the Viel grinder/sander with both the 1/4hp and 1/3hp motors? Both Viel and Steve Bottorff say that all that is needed for knife sharpening is the 1/4hp.
 
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