Thread: Introduction and Forging a Razor from a File

Thanks Randy for the link and information, it's very helpful.

It's been slow going but my 2x72 build is coming along. I figured out how to get it to track properly and got from a co-worker a gas strut when he replaced the ones on his hatchback to use for the tension and tracking. Next up will be to mount the motor which came from a treadmill.

Originally Posted by dcraven

It's been slow going but my 2x72 build is coming along. I figured out how to get it to track properly and got from a co-worker a gas strut when he replaced the ones on his hatchback to use for the tension and tracking. Next up will be to mount the motor which came from a treadmill.

Thanks for posting this, it gets the wheels turning.

And this may not be the thread for this, but has anyone used a ShopSmith as a power source/base for a grinding station?

Safe Grinding...

I had a treadmill motor on mine, for awhile. Never could figure out what parts controlled the speed, so I just mounted the whole works. Looked weird, but worked like a champ until the motor died. Now I've got a 3hp 3 phase, and a phase converter.http://straightrazorpalace.com/images/attach/jpg.gif

I'm so glad I stumbled upon this post. I've been looking for a custom hand made pairing knife for my wife for her birthday in a few months. Do you have an online shop?

Thank you for your interest. I just sent you a personal message.

Skipnord, when you were running the treadmill motor what size hp motor was it and what did you use for a pulley? I tested mine out last night, it's tracking well but gets easily bogged down. I used the pulley that was on the motor for the treadmill and ground down a groove using a file. It didn't seem to matter whether it was running at half or full speed using a 120 grit belt. From the picture it's hard to read the specs, it's a 1.75 hp 110 VAC 1305 WATTS.

I'm wondering if putting a pulley on the motor would help as I just filed down the pulley that was on there for the treadmill which is very small, or if I should start looking for an alternate source for motors.

I should mention I'm using an 8" contact wheel and a 4" drive wheel with a 3" pulley.

It sounds like the belt is slipping on the motor pulley.

Just my 2¢

Thanks Randy. I figured it out when watching the video below. I noticed when at 2:10 he changes from the large lower wheel to the small lower and vice versa on the higher ones, thus slowing down the speed. That was exactly how mine was running so I cut a groove in the flywheel and made some changes above so it would run setup this way. Once I did this it began hogging metal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OcbUTK5i5g

Good video. It sounds like you agree with Randy that your pulley was slipping. I put a regular pulley on my motor - about the same size as the driven pulley - and controlled the speed with the treadmill speed control. If you are just running the motor at one speed - hopefully its max, a set of 3 or 4 step pulleys will work to control your grinding speed. as I recall, my motor was a 2hp. Yours might be a tad weak - I'm using a 3hp now. Good luck with your project!