Shop built 2x72 belt grinder

[jbr]

I decided to build a 2x72 belt grinder based on jeremy schmidt's design. This is what I have so far using a 3hp 3 phase motor and a imported vfd rated for 3hp

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[acourtjester]

Nice looking work, I built one about a year ago great plans to use.

[jh1990]

I decided to build a 2x72 belt grinder based on jeremy schmidt's design. This is what I have so far using a 3hp 3 phase motor and a imported vfd rated for 3hp

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Sweet! I like that "platen" attachment. Details on it?

[acourtjester]

If you really want to get technical what is shown is a platenless grinder attachment. A platen would be mounted directly behind the belt between the 2 rollers, this stops any deflexion of the belt as material is being ground.
Now to give you how to make one watch this this one has a platen

[jbr]

This is what I have so far for the platten, need refinement but works

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[acourtjester]

that looks like it will do the job, the only thing is to adjust the platen so the belt is almost touching. That way there is no friction between the belt and platen, until you are grinding.

[Capt B]

that looks like it will do the job, the only thing is to adjust the platen so the belt is almost touching. That way there is no friction between the belt and platen, until you are grinding.

Nicely Done I just finished one a while back as well!

[jh1990]

If you really want to get technical what is shown is a platenless grinder attachment. A platen would be mounted directly behind the belt between the 2 rollers, this stops any deflexion of the belt as material is being ground.
Now to give you how to make one watch this this one has a platen

'

Haha, yes. That is why I put "platen" in quotes. I wasn't sure what to call it.

I like that design for it.

[Farrier-1]

Are these 2x72 belt grinders any better than a stationary disc sander, 4" belt etc? What's the hype all about?

[acourtjester]

In some ways yes it is very easy to change a belt the a disc, and you can have more optional tools with a belt grinder.

[John T]

Are these 2x72 belt grinders any better than a stationary disc sander, 4" belt etc? What's the hype all about?

Yeah
I don’t see the hype either

Dont get me wrong,
Lots of nice work building these things... in this thread,

But they take up way too much space for justification... for me.



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[TraditionalToolworks]

Yeah
I don’t see the hype either

Dont get me wrong,
Lots of nice work building these things... in this thread,

But they take up way too much space for justification... for me.

Actually I see it the opposite. They take up less space than a 6x48 belt sander, or a 12" disc sander.

They are more convenient, easy to change the belts, the belts are way cheap and can be found for about $1/ea and it's easy to fabricate different types of attachments. That's why they're so popular. I don't have one, but have planned to build one, not because they're hype, but because they look like a better mouse trap.

[Farrier-1]

I have low end sanders that I use. One is a 12" disc sander. I really like it but the grit wears out quickly and it's a pain in my *** to remove the pad. I wouldn't mind a quick change belt at all.

If it pencil's out, I just might have to fab up a 2x72 belt grinder. Surly not going to spend $2-3k on a commercial unit.

[VaughnT]

Very nice build. I've been following Schmidt's videos and always get a kick out of what that kid comes up with. He definitely thinks outside the box!

Are these 2x72 belt grinders any better than a stationary disc sander, 4" belt etc? What's the hype all about?

100% yes! No matter what you do around the house, a 2x72 is orders of magnitude better than your average disk/belt combo from some big box store. Not only can you get a huge selection of belts, but the quality of the abrasive and the speed with which you can change the belts is amazing. General tinkering, woodworking, metal stuff.... everything is better when you have a 2x72 nearby.

Yeah
I don’t see the hype either. But they take up way too much space for justification... for me.

It depends on how you build them, really. You can make a version that takes a shorter belt, like the 2x36 or 2x48, and they do quite well for 90% of what you might need. You'll go through more belts simply because there's less belt to wear, but they are still infinitely useful around the house. If you don't like the stick-out, go vertical much like the Kalamazoo version. Some say this limits what accessories you can use, and how you can use the thing, but it might be great for what you need, and it takes up no more space than your average bench grinder.

I wouldn't mind a quick change belt at all. If it pencil's out, I just might have to fab up a 2x72 belt grinder. Surly not going to spend $2-3k on a commercial unit.

Make it pencil out and you'll be happy that you did. I was a lot like you back in the day and have been kicking myself ever since I first turned my 2x72 on. It's dreamy being able to go from 36-grit to knock down welds and thirty seconds later I have on a Scotchbrite belt for doing fine polishing.

The key to a good 2x72 is the motor. You want at least 1.5hp, and if you can rig up some can of variable speed drive it's even better. Any motor under 1hp will bog down easily. It's not a deal breaker if that's all you have on hand, but you'll definitely find yourself looking for something more powerful sooner rather than later.

[jbr]

Very nice build. I've been following Schmidt's videos and always get a kick out of what that kid comes up with. He definitely thinks outside the box!




100% yes! No matter what you do around the house, a 2x72 is orders of magnitude better than your average disk/belt combo from some big box store. Not only can you get a huge selection of belts, but the quality of the abrasive and the speed with which you can change the belts is amazing. General tinkering, woodworking, metal stuff.... everything is better when you have a 2x72 nearby.



It depends on how you build them, really. You can make a version that takes a shorter belt, like the 2x36 or 2x48, and they do quite well for 90% of what you might need. You'll go through more belts simply because there's less belt to wear, but they are still infinitely useful around the house. If you don't like the stick-out, go vertical much like the Kalamazoo version. Some say this limits what accessories you can use, and how you can use the thing, but it might be great for what you need, and it takes up no more space than your average bench grinder.



Make it pencil out and you'll be happy that you did. I was a lot like you back in the day and have been kicking myself ever since I first turned my 2x72 on. It's dreamy being able to go from 36-grit to knock down welds and thirty seconds later I have on a Scotchbrite belt for doing fine polishing.

The key to a good 2x72 is the motor. You want at least 1.5hp, and if you can rig up some can of variable speed drive it's even better. Any motor under 1hp will bog down easily. It's not a deal breaker if that's all you have on hand, but you'll definitely find yourself looking for something more powerful sooner rather than later.

I agree

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