Second 2" X 72" Belt Grinder Build

[acourtjester]

Some time back I built Jeremy Schmidt's 2" X 72" grinder, it was a fun project and very useful addition to my shop. So I decided to build another with a few small changes (2 HP motor) and I modified the tracking wheel assembly. When I originally built the other one I converted Jeremy's drawing to DXF files for CNC Plasma cutting of the parts. I started welding up the body of the grinder today.

[acourtjester]

After I cut the parts I tacked some parts together and drilled the pivot holes and the ground the mounting area so they were easier to align and weld in place.

[acourtjester]

Additional images of the build, shown is the alignment wheel assembly. I change to match others I saw on YouTube, this allows it to pivot using 2 longer setscrews and a different way to adjust the tracking of the belt. I 3-D printed a knob for the long 3/8" bolt for adjusting the belt tracking, a change from how Jeremy did it. Here is a 1" X 30" belt grinder I made to clean out the seam inside the tube. I had tried to use another method (using a shuttle with a High Speed lathe tool) to cut the seam but it did not work. The grinder made short work of the seam as shown.

[VaughnT]

Can't wait to see how it comes out. I've been thinking about cannabilizing my 2x72 in order to make one a bit better. I like the idea of something that'll flip 90º when you need it to.

Talking about getting rid of that pesky seam, Jason came up with a pretty neat concept that looks to work fast... after you get all set up for it.

[acourtjester]

I tried to use that method it could be the seam in my 2-1/2" tube was very hard and I could only move about 1/4" at a time. I used 3/4" all thread with an air impact wrench I even tried to hammer it through, no go. The belt grinder took about 20 minutes per tube.

[acourtjester]

Little more work welded the motor mounting bracket and the up right for the tracking assembly with torsion spring. welded 3/4" rounds to the sides of the tubes, drilled and taped for holding bolts ("T" handles).

[Lis2323]

Looking real good


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[acourtjester]

Attached bench feet on the stationary tube and setup the position of the tracking assembly ready to weld in place. assembled and welded the platen and wheels.

[el bob]

Thank you for posting and sharing the build. Nice to see how someone else went about putting theirs together. Later this year, these pieces will get to come back to the work bench. The belt grinder got leapfrogged, a couple times, on the priority list.

[acourtjester]

Great start el Bob, it will go together in a short amount of time. Welding and grinding the tubes as you are going to do will be the most time consuming, that is why I went with the standard structural tubes. Take your time when aligning and assembling. I did make changes to the tracking assembly so I can make small adjustments, Jeremy shows bending one part to align.
I did a test fit up today using the platent from the other grinder, I will be welding up the platent with the new parts in the morning. After I have assembled all the different attachments I will powder coat all and wire it up.
Images from my reply #3 images 3 - 5 shows the parts for the tracking assembly I will be reconfiguring the original one to the newer way after this one is completed.

[12345678910]

Can't wait to see how it comes out. I've been thinking about cannabilizing my 2x72 in order to make one a bit better. I like the idea of something that'll flip 90º when you need it to.

Don't kill a grinder, it's handy to build the second with and always useful later.

[Lis2323]

Don't kill a grinder, it's handy to build the second with and always useful later.

Agreed.


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[acourtjester]

Welded up the Platen assembly, image shows the new and old. Next will be the tilting table assembly.

[whiskeymike]

Nice work as always Jester. Wish you were in TX, you’d be a great neighbor!

[Joegreen02]

Very nice build! Excellent skill bud!


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[acourtjester]

Here is my DIY CNC plasma table in action, I cut some more parts today for the adjustable angle table for the grinder. This is on 3/8" steel
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tWU...ew?usp=sharing

[el bob]

Nice cutting video and DIY CNC plasma table.

[acourtjester]

Did some more work on the attachments for the grinder, this was the adjustable angle table. It is constructed so the table can be set from 90 degrees to 45 degrees in relation to belt. After cutting the parts I needed to grind a 45 degree angle on the front lip of the 3/8" X 8" X 8" table. I tack welded the plate to a 20" section of 2" angle, laid the belt to almost horizontal and slide the lip of the plate back and forth against the belt. This process took maybe 30 minutes and is shown in the attached images. This angle was made so the table can get very close to the belt when grinding a part with the table set at an angle. Much closer then if the plate was left with the lip being at 90 degrees. Next was the shaping of the 2" X 2" support tube for the 1" pivot rod to be welded on. There is a slotted part for the locking bold the is on one side of the plate and a corresponding part for the pivot bolts. These were welded in place on the plate with a part that the locking bolt goes to.

[N2 Welding]

Nice.

[Lis2323]

Nice work on the angle table, jester!!


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[acourtjester]

Completed the second Angle table assembly, added a handle to the belt tracker assembly. Did another test fit of the grinder components, will do some finish grinding to clean up the assembly and work on getting it ready to paint/powder coat and final assembly.

[N2 Welding]

Will that spring be too much tension on the belt?

[acourtjester]

Well I don't think so, reason I have the same spring in the original grinder I built about 2 years ago. I used the same music wire that Jeremy called out for and many others have built this grinder and I have not seen complaints about it.
I did have that thought when I first built it and would remove the belt when not being used, but leave it on for some time now no problem.

[acourtjester]

Added a 8" contact wheel to the grinder.

[acourtjester]

small update I would make "T" handles by welding a small flat scrap to a bolt. Wanted to look a little fancier so I cut some wings and welding the studs in them, they give me a little larger handle