Thread: How to/what do I need to build a grinder?

As my workshop and restauration pile grows the idea of a grinder have slowly started to grow in my head, first and foremost for heavier restaurations, but I hope to try making a razor or three some day

I would like to build it myself, problem is that I really don't know squat about how it should look and what parts I need except for a motor and wheels and would like to know as much as possible before I start building.

I guess what I'm really asking is if anyone can help me get to know everything I need to know to build and use a grinder

Thanks

Here is a good place to begin: No Weld Grinder

The grinding belts you will use are metric, but you should have no problem finding them. Mirka has all sorts of abrasives.

And another, with a good many more designs to choose from...

CNCCookbook: Belt Grinder Ideas

I'm in the process of building one of these myself, and i'm going to be modifying the contact wheel from a 2" wide one to a 1" wide one to make it easier to build razors, but with the standard stuff, it will be a 2x72" belt grinder. Just take your time on the drilling and tapping, and you'll have no problems building it. Here's a link to the plans. www.dfoggknives.com/PDF/GrinderPlans.pdf Good luck, it's a fun build. BTW I'm building mine out of 6061 aluminum.

Thanks guys, I will take some time and look through the different solutions and hopefully build one in not too long.

I do have a couple additional questions though:

What size(s) is recommende for the grinding wheel? Should I go for a solution where I can use different sizes?

As I understand 2" width is whats recommended for razor grinding, or have I missed something here?

2" is the standard, however charlie Lewis swears by a 1" wide one. As far as wheel size, its personal preference. 8" seems to be the most common one but it will depend on how much hollow you want in the razor

Originally Posted by recurvist22

2" is the standard, however charlie Lewis swears by a 1" wide one. As far as wheel size, its personal preference. 8" seems to be the most common one but it will depend on how much hollow you want in the razor

Lately I have been using 2" belts and liking them a lot. I have come to the realization that belt size does not matter, it is all in how I use the grinder.

Charlie

That big one at Mike's must have grown on you, Charlie. LOL

Thanks for the info, now to next question

I have a two motors readily avaliable, both 1400 rpm, one 0,35hp and one 0,5hp will anymof these be sufficent for razor grindng, or should I try to find a stonger one?

Mine is 3 hp with a phase converter speed control. You can control speed with step pulleys. 1hp might do the job, 2 is better. 3 is probably overkill, but it was used and the price was right. You could try the 1/2 hp, but I'd suggest searching for at least a 1. Good luck. Another source for DIY grinders is USAKnifemakers. They sell plans and a precut kit. Also many sizes of wheels. I have 8, 4 and 2 inch plus a flat platten. If you just have one, 8 or 4 would work.