capitalcrew
.44 mag
This is going to be my project thread for the belt grinder I am making. As most of you know from my other thread I've decided to try to make a few knives and after looking for a suitable grinder to start with I decided I didn't like the prices or the options and set out to build my own. After a lot of research I found this design here DIY Knifemaker's Info Center: BG272 - DIY 2 x 72" Belt Grinder and decided this is what I was going to go with, at least for a starting point.
Main differences between mine and his are a non tilt adjustable platen and fixed speed. I did read in the comments on that page that he rarely adjusts the angle of the platen anyways so I decided to skip it entirely. Fixed speed is just a cost saving option, I may upgrade to a VFD control for the motor in the future so I have speed adjustment, but for now this will do.
Parts / Supplies list:
A few notes.. I order excess of all of the different steels. I figure I'll have extra if I make any mistakes and it never hurts to have some extra around. You'll want a chop saw to cut things square, I've been using an angle grinder with a cut off wheel and it isn't ideal but it is workable. If anyone needs a spring I had to order ten, but I only need one, so I'll have 9 available if you decide to make one of these. The 2hp motor I have is actually something I bought for my lathe but I decided to use it for the grinder after the motor I bought for this project turned out to be more suitable for the lathe due to shaft diameter. I will be using the cost of the motor I bought initially for this project when I figure the total cost though. If you don't have three phase power you'll have to find a single phase.
Cost so far:
Motor - 20 on CL. (SCORE)
Steel - 75.87 (cut fees included)
Caster / Driver Wheel - 13.80
Springs - 25.65
Idlers / Tracking Wheel - 41.75
Total - 177.07
I still need to purchase the nuts, bolts, and washers so they're not figured into the cost. I also don't have any belts yet.
To get started you cut your 2x2 square into the proper sizes. You will need three 10" pieces, one 4" piece, one 3.5" piece. Leave a little extra to square up the ends, especially if you're using an angle grinder. Find the one 10" with the squarest end and set that aside, that will be your vertical / upright piece that houses the tensioner and holds the tracking wheel. The other two you can put on a flat surface and butt up against the third piece, tack and then weld the two pieces together. Don't weld anything to the third piece yet, that upright will be welded later. You only used it here as a reference to keep the ends that touch it square.
I will update this more as I go, this is as far as I have gotten so far. I would be working on it tonight but there's a bit too much going on in the shop right now for that. I expect this weekend to get the frame welded to the plate so I can start working on the moving piece of the upright and the platen.
Edit - I accidentally posted this before I was ready lol. Pictures will all be in subsequent posts.. I can't add any now that I'm editing the original.
Main differences between mine and his are a non tilt adjustable platen and fixed speed. I did read in the comments on that page that he rarely adjusts the angle of the platen anyways so I decided to skip it entirely. Fixed speed is just a cost saving option, I may upgrade to a VFD control for the motor in the future so I have speed adjustment, but for now this will do.
Parts / Supplies list:
- 60" 2x2 steel square tube, 3/16 wall
- 60" 1.5x1.5 square tube, 3/16 wall (any wall thickness will work here really)
- 24" 2.5x2.5 angle, .25 thick
- 24"x12" flat bar, .25 thick
- 30lb/in 3.5" free length, .9" diameter spring https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005KVAM48
- 5" caster (drive wheel) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004071SZU
- Idler and tracking wheel set Belt Grinder wheel 2x72 set for knife grinders
- A suitable motor, I have a 2hp 3p motor I will be using.
- Assorted nuts and Bolts
A few notes.. I order excess of all of the different steels. I figure I'll have extra if I make any mistakes and it never hurts to have some extra around. You'll want a chop saw to cut things square, I've been using an angle grinder with a cut off wheel and it isn't ideal but it is workable. If anyone needs a spring I had to order ten, but I only need one, so I'll have 9 available if you decide to make one of these. The 2hp motor I have is actually something I bought for my lathe but I decided to use it for the grinder after the motor I bought for this project turned out to be more suitable for the lathe due to shaft diameter. I will be using the cost of the motor I bought initially for this project when I figure the total cost though. If you don't have three phase power you'll have to find a single phase.
Cost so far:
Motor - 20 on CL. (SCORE)
Steel - 75.87 (cut fees included)
Caster / Driver Wheel - 13.80
Springs - 25.65
Idlers / Tracking Wheel - 41.75
Total - 177.07
I still need to purchase the nuts, bolts, and washers so they're not figured into the cost. I also don't have any belts yet.
To get started you cut your 2x2 square into the proper sizes. You will need three 10" pieces, one 4" piece, one 3.5" piece. Leave a little extra to square up the ends, especially if you're using an angle grinder. Find the one 10" with the squarest end and set that aside, that will be your vertical / upright piece that houses the tensioner and holds the tracking wheel. The other two you can put on a flat surface and butt up against the third piece, tack and then weld the two pieces together. Don't weld anything to the third piece yet, that upright will be welded later. You only used it here as a reference to keep the ends that touch it square.
I will update this more as I go, this is as far as I have gotten so far. I would be working on it tonight but there's a bit too much going on in the shop right now for that. I expect this weekend to get the frame welded to the plate so I can start working on the moving piece of the upright and the platen.
Edit - I accidentally posted this before I was ready lol. Pictures will all be in subsequent posts.. I can't add any now that I'm editing the original.
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