My Belt Grinder arrived and is in place

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10-14-2017, 02:36 AM
onotoman

5 Attachment(s)

My Belt Grinder arrived and is in place

Hi Guys,

Now that I've setup my belt grinder, I just wanted to share some pics and to ask those much more knowledgeable if there's anything else I need or whether anything looks not quite correct.

Some comments:

I live in New Zealand so sourcing a reasonably priced variable speed belt grinder was difficult. Units from UK or USA were going to cost around $2,000 in shipping (at least when looking on Ebay etc.)

I sourced this one from China, it cost around $1,200 NZ Dollars (approx $850 US) including shipping to my door (I did have to pay some customs charges but not too much)

The motor and controller are not sealed, so I will replace these with sealed units at some point.

The Platen is ridiculously large and will only work with a 82 inch belt. Everything else is fine with a 72 inch belt. I've ordered a smaller one from an Australian outfit.

The small wheels have nice big bearings, so should be fine?

All seems to run smoothly and true.

As mentioned in an earlier post, I also have a 3.5 inch wheel. I'll need to make a spindle to use with it, but that shouldn't be too difficult.

Anyway, here are some pics. Any comments most welcome.

Attachment 275472

Attachment 275473

Attachment 275474

Attachment 275475

Attachment 275476

Many thanks

Onotoman (Dave)
10-14-2017, 03:29 AM
caltoncutlery

that is a nice looking grinder!! way nicer looking than the one I built out of an old treadmill and pop cans :}

one thing I think that is missing is a whole bunch of dust, and a water container

congrats!!
10-14-2017, 04:08 AM
onotoman

I'm not at work next week, so will make some dust. I have an old paint tin that I can fill with water too :-)

I think I'll need a few smaller 'small' wheels - the two that came with the grinder are 1 inch and 1.6 inch. I'll need a 0.5 inch and possible smaller?

Quote:

Originally Posted by caltoncutlery

that is a nice looking grinder!! way nicer looking than the one I built out of an old treadmill and pop cans :}

one thing I think that is missing is a whole bunch of dust, and a water container

congrats!!
10-14-2017, 06:02 AM
LX_Emergency

Nice! Congrats! I'd been looking at that one for while but went with a locally available one in the end. Looking forward to hearing how you like it.
10-14-2017, 07:36 AM
Bruno

that looks like a nice unit. A sealed motor is a must though. With all that metal dust and the magnetic coil in the motor, that's a massive short circuit waiting to happen :) As to the length of the belts needed: there is no reason why you should stick with 72" belts. If you find a place where you can order belts, they usually make whatever size you require. You'll be buying belts in bulk anyway, and having 2 different sizes is not going to be more costly in the long run, since they will wear only half as fast.
10-14-2017, 09:38 AM
rolodave

Very nice looking grinder. The price is also quite good for a well made machine.
10-14-2017, 10:54 AM
bluesman7

Quote:

Originally Posted by onotoman

The motor and controller are not sealed, so I will replace these with sealed units at some point.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruno

that looks like a nice unit. A sealed motor is a must though. With all that metal dust and the magnetic coil in the motor, that's a massive short circuit waiting to happen :)

I can't tell for sure, but that looks like a TEFC motor to me which means that the electrical parts are enclosed. Under the vented end cap is just the fan. If you can't see the windings through any holes you are good to go.
10-14-2017, 04:06 PM
ScottGoodman

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluesman7

I can't tell for sure, but that looks like a TEFC motor to me which means that the electrical parts are enclosed. Under the vented end cap is just the fan. If you can't see the windings through any holes you are good to go.

Looks like that to me too!

Do as Victor says, if you see no windings...you are good to go. Nice rig by the way!
10-14-2017, 10:40 PM
onotoman

Hi Guys,

I removed the end of the motor and there's only a plastic fan in there and a solid casing, no view of the windings or anything.

With regards the Control (VFD) presumably, so long as I keep that high up out of the way of metal dust, it should be OK until I get a sealed one?

Thanks again for all the advice guys. I'll let you know how I get on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottGoodman

Looks like that to me too!

Do as Victor says, if you see no windings...you are good to go. Nice rig by the way!
10-16-2017, 05:32 PM
Bruno

Excellent. You're good to go then!
11-03-2017, 02:09 PM
waldbrent

looks like a nice grinder setup.. solid?
11-07-2017, 04:15 AM
onotoman

Hi Waldbrent,

Yes, really solid. The VFD (controller) is the weak link though. After around 3 hours of grinding today, I heard a bang and the trip switch in my workshop triggered.

Dust got into the VFD and short circuited.

One IP65 sealed VFD on order. That blade will have to wait :-(

Quote:

Originally Posted by waldbrent

looks like a nice grinder setup.. solid?
11-07-2017, 11:18 AM
Substance

I just mounted my VGD n a metal tool box on end on my grinders stand
11-08-2017, 10:52 PM
onotoman

That's what I'll do too - unless I can source a sealed one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Substance

I just mounted my VGD n a metal tool box on end on my grinders stand
12-03-2017, 01:54 PM
alexalex

All great replies, thanks! I'm looking for a belt grinder and I'm on a pretty tight budget though. I was researching the web and discovered these reviews on best grinders http://mechanicguides.com/best-belt-grinders/. I need one for sword and knife making.

Is Grizzly H6070 Belt and Disc Sander worth considering?
12-03-2017, 02:03 PM
Geezer

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexalex

All great replies, thanks! ...snip.... I need one for sword and knife making.
Is Grizzly H6070 Belt and Disc Sander worth considering?

They are a lot cheaper at Harbor Freight or similar stores on line.
Good for scales and such but not for a knife grinder !!
~Richard
12-03-2017, 03:03 PM
Geezer

Quote:

Originally Posted by onotoman

That's what I'll do too - unless I can source a sealed one.

Just find a small used computer case with fan and filter.
Should be cheap enough!
JMO
~Richard
12-03-2017, 03:23 PM
caltoncutlery

for a good 2x72 on a budget, nothing beats home built. they really are not all that hard to put together, and if you have the skills for making razors, knives, and swords, then you should have enough skills to build a belt grinder with skills left over. and I'm not sure how many belts ive used, but its been quite a few, and not a single one has ever complained about being run by a homebuilt instead of a factory grinder

here is a nice one

https://youtu.be/ZnSHaVuQPfM

here is one that I built from an old treadmill and old soda cans

https://youtu.be/q16IdasJj5U

and a upright style

https://youtu.be/3pm7Po4by0k