A grinder question..

I am pretty sure someone on here has tried or heard of these, but I couldn't find any posts on it.

I was using a borrowed belt grinder from my next door neighbor (that is until i moved this last weekend) and figured i would have time to build a grinder from the "grinder in a box" plans, but alas I am just not going to have the funds to get one of those up and running.. I found one of these Multi-tool belt grinder and was considering getting one.. they bolt right onto a bench grinder and I already have a variable... the only problem is the smallest contact wheel is 3 1/2 diameter so i would have to find something for hollow grinding..

What do you guys think?

Based on the minor amount of experience I have grinding razors there are 2 major considerations...

1 Speed control..... you need to be able to reduce the SFPM ( not RPM) to 400-800 for finish grinding

2. Wheel stability......... it is really important to have a contact wheel that does not vibrate/oscillate when grinding.

Others will add their experience......

I've just been holding various cans, glasses etc. against hollow-ground razors, to check the radius, and I think you could do most with a wheel of 3.5"or bigger. It would be a good idea to have some sort of fairly large removable fence on the flat plate part of the belt's run, to rest things like scales against, and another on the wheel. But those are things you could rig up for yourself. It looks like a useful tool for someone in your circumstances.

I am working on a "grinder in a box" myself. I'm down to the Variable Frequency Drive and drive wheel. Still have some little stuff to do to it...but I'm close! My first razors were made with a 4x36 tabletop grinder and a wet grinder from Sears. IIRC the belt grinder was around $100 from Home Depot and the wet grinder was around $50. Here's the thread: http://straightrazorpalace.com/forge...ake-razor.html

Those are handy little units. They come with a flat platen. They are not as adjustable as some of the big ones, but it's a good way to convert a bench grinder into a much more effective tool for making blades. The belts are not hugely expensive in those sizes too. I know a lot of knives have been made by folks using similar or the same tool.

The only place I can see not getting the job done was if you insisted on a small radiused thumb notch. It is true that some things you might want to feature on a razor will be limited by the size of the wheel.

If your blades look good and shave, made with simpler tooling you have at home, you're better off than the guy with tool acquisition disorder who can't make anything until the right tool is sitting on the bench. Then when the buyers demand that tight radius, and you can afford better, buy the big tools. :)

I think 3.5" would be good. I do most of my grinding with a 4" wheel. My one concern would be belt speed. I think pre-heat treat grind would go great, post-heat treat you would have to light quick touch. I think it would work, and would be a good purchase.

Charlie

Depending on the bearing, you might be able to adapt a 2" wheel from USA Knifemakers. I have just made 3 razors so far, 1 with an 8", and 2 with 4". I have a 2" that I haven't tried yet.

Cool, thank you for the replies.. I think I am going to invest in it..

I liked working with my neighbors grinder.. His had all the bells and whistles too.. Only had to rotate to the wheel size I needed at the time.... variable speeds... His was a grinder in a box that he just took the cad plans to his work and cut it himself.. and made all the modifications.. ect....would like to have one, but WAaaaay too expensive.. even for the build it yourself..