2" by 72" Homemade Belt Grinder

[@garyharbison1019]

Bearhawk , Thanks for your help. I'm just about finished with my grinder. I have the 10" wheel and related parts ordered along with some belts. Everything else is finished and it will be up and running as soon as I completed the wheel assembly. Your videos and detailed measurements were a great help.

[@tatarinovsergej]

отличный гриндер!самая практичная и простая конструкция какую я видел,очень все просто и эфективно!минимум деталей и максимум пользы,я такой же сделаю! спасибо за идею!

[@kennyhess4537]

You were the inspiration in my 2x72 grinder build. I will be posting some video soon to show it off. Could not have done it without your ideas. Thanks

[@alaskabearhawk]

Kenny Hess You're more than welcome Kenny. I hope you get a lot of use out of your grinder.

[@garyharbison1019]

I got hung up on trying to find the right size pipe to fit the barings and failed to compliment you on your videos. I've watched a lot and yours are among the best. Thanks for sharing and you clairifying that the pipe was schedule 80 really helped. I found finding schedule 80 pipe locally was impossible

[@alaskabearhawk]

Thanks Gary, I appreciate that. That catch on Schedule 80 was all you...thanks!

[@seume]

very nice, thanks for sharing this, always neat to see other belt grinders to get some ideas flowing

[@alaskabearhawk]

seume You are welcome. It's a compilation of other's ideas thrown in with a few of my own. Lots of great ideas out there!

[@gunnutmike]

Great videos on the belt grinder. I probably have everything I need to build one except the contact wheel, motor pulley, and the timing belt pulleys from my daughter's KIA that I threw away 6 months ago! Couldn't think of a use for them at the time. Oops.

[@TINKERTON1000]

Great video! Now time to begin work on building me one! Thanks for the detailed video!

[@alaskabearhawk]

Good luck on your build! It will be a welcome addition to your shop.

[@jrbass62]

I've been looking for a good plan,Love the way you build!! I love building stuff!!

[@alaskabearhawk]

Thanks Johnny! Glad you liked it. I hope to have a set of CAD drawings available for the grinder soon.

[@alaskabearhawk]

You're welcome! Thanks for the kind words. I knew the time I spent making the thing would be worth it, but I never realized how much I would actually use it. Literally, I use it almost every day and it has been a life-saver. I don't know how I survived without one. You'll really like yours I'm sure.

[@alaskabearhawk]

The Soob bearings came out of a 1996 2.5L engine, probably the same as other engines. I don't have the part number, but you should be able to get them at NAPA, but they are relatively expensive. What I would do is go to a Subaru dealer or an import garage and ask for ones they had replaced. They are usually replaced even if they feel ok, generally they spin really free and the mechanic recommened replacement. They may be worn but will be plenty good for a belt grinder. Good luck!

[@A_Barbosa]

Just the best I have seen!. Thanks for posting.

[@AltonMachineCom]

Nice grinder I love how simple it is! Thank you

[@Mikeandwendy74]

great idea with the timing belt pulleys and the schedule 40 pipe. perfect bearings for free :)

[@doberman74]

very good looking grinder, im looking to make of of my own as soon as i get a MIG set. This is one of the better and simpler designs iv seen, i suppose the only thing missing is a back platter but there would seem no reason why a double wheel setup couldn't be made for the front, and hey presto as im typing you show your version of it :)

[@PetefromTn]

This is an awesome simple design.....bravo thanks for sharing man...

[@paulminelga3353]

PetefromTn Thanks for the kind words! Like I have said before, I use it almost every day and can't imagine not having one. I am working on a set of CAD plans for the design and hope to have them available by the end of the year.

[@PetefromTn]

Sweet, I look forward to your CAD drawing but I have already started making one. Did not notice it in your excellent videos of it but what are the lengths of the main frame spars? Thanks for sharing again.

[@garyharbison1019]

I finally finished my grinder and it really turned out nice. I followed Bearhawk's measurements and everything worked great. For those of you that are like me and don't have material laying around and have to buy everything this might be of interest. These were my cost. All the steel cut to lengths (including labor) $85 Aluminum schedule 80 pipe cut to length plus shipping $56 Subaru idler barings (4 of them) $10 Turning the pipe to accept the barings $10 Grizzly 10" contact wheel $78 Grizzly shipping $16 Aircraft Spruce 3/4" pipe for axel $18 shipping included Pillow block pulleys ( Beaumont Metal Works) $34 shipping included Crown face drive pulley (Chicago Die Casting) $37 shipping included Assorted bolts ,nuts and washers Probably $20 I robbed the motor off my 45 yr old table saw ( 1hp 3450 rpm) cost will be a new table saw. I couldn't get it done for a $100 but really like what I have thanks to Bearhawk.

[@alaskabearhawk]

Great work Gary,,,congratulations! Once you get used to having one, you will wonder how you ever survived without it.

[@jk07ist]

Gary Harbison Gary, thanks a lot for sharing the cost information. I have worked almost exclusively with wood, not metal, so I had no idea what this would cost. I really appreciate the information.

[@alaskabearhawk]

Thanks for the comment! I hope you will get lots of use out of it. Just FYI, I didn't realize when I made this thing how much I would be using it and how useful it is. I just thought how neat it would be to have one, but I couldn't pony up the green to get a "real" belt grinder. Now, I'm using it all the time and I don't know how I lived without it. If you do fab work, even for yourself, it's time and money well-spent.

[@theblueserpent]

loved it .. like all the idea in it self i will be makeing one exactly like yours ty

[@alaskabearhawk]

You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it and I hope the information is useful to you.

[@alaskabearhawk]

Thanks for the kind words! I got the pulley at a local bearing suppy store. It's made by Chicago Die Casting Mfg. KZbin won't allow an internet link in comments, but just google that company or "zinc crowned pulley" and it should be one of the top links.

[@WAGONJON]

That thing is awesome! I want to build one!!!

[@alaskabearhawk]

You need to have two crowned. One on the drive for sure and one on the tracking roller. That will take care of any tracking issues you may encounter if they aren't perfect. You need to have the platen rollers without a crown and aligned...at least that's the way I made it. I suppose you could crown all four, but I certainly would just make a very, very slight crown on the platen rollers.

[@Lakesideforge]

Would love to have some paper plans for the piece with the rest and the full grinder.

[@alaskabearhawk]

Sure. 2 1/2 in Sched. 40 mild steel pipe (2.88 external, 2.47 internal) and cut to 2 1/8th inch wide. Hope this helps.

[@JohnGrimsmo]

Excellent video, thanks for sharing!

[@alaskabearhawk]

@slab698 It would take a little to explain, but it really is easy once you see it. I'll try to get something up that describes how it works.

[@alaskabearhawk]

@slab698 If you look at the top of the vertical piece, there is an adjustment for tracking at the top pulley. Let me know and I can post more detailed info on the actual construction.

[@levanfirst2574]

Hello there, really nice and simple grinder you have. I have one question though: do you think if I insert heavy duty ball bearings into the pipe (2 per wheel) are they going to work as nicely as Subaru belt pulleys?

[@levanfirst2574]

thanks for your reply, that would definitely help me :) one more thing, is it enough to have only one wheel crowned (in case of 4 wheels setup)? would it hurt to crown other wheels as well?? thanks

[@waynemcmurtry]

Great video, I also watch your 5 part videos on how to make it. One question, where did you get the crowned motor pulley? Wayne

[@MIXAEL7]

could you supply the dimensions of the post and the cross member as well as the compressing telescoping bar also how much was the 10" wheel ? thanks for your help .that is an impressive design !! I Have done the KMG GRINDER but I really have the need for a 2nd. unit and your awesome design fits the bill just right . 4/5/11

[@neiljborja]

I know this is an old video, but perhaps you could put a handle on the tube with the idler pulley to make it easier to pull down, it's what a lot of 2x72s that style have. Thanks for the video.

[@alaskabearhawk]

Thanks for the kind words Neil. A handle is something I haven't thought of, but it really isn't necessary. I change the belt very easily just with pressure from my palm and a handle would just get in the way. It would have to have some kind of linkage that pushes the column straight down. If it were offset, like just a handle welded on the side, I suspect it would bind because the force would be pushing the column down and pulling horizontally at the same time. I like the KISS principle in this case.

[@levanfirst2574]

thanks you for your help :) that would help a lot

[@alaskabearhawk]

I don't see any reason why they wouldn't work. The attractive part of the Soob bearings is the inner race bore is the size of a bolt and the wide outer race, making them ideal to use in this application. You probably will need to make a bushing to make it work. Clearances would be tight so there is no radial play between the bearing, bushing and bolt. The bushing length should be exact to the bearing's width so they won't have any axial play. Bearings would have to be aligned as well.

[@aeallen72]

What size springs do you use to compress the tracking upright

[@lmogden1]

GREAT VIDEO

[@Drakos9119]

Great vids...thanks...one question, what did you use for the tensioning spring?

[@alaskabearhawk]

Thanks! It's two one inch diameter hardware springs tacked together end to end, making it about five inches long. Look at the next video, 2" by 72" Homemade Belt Grinder Part II (4:37 long). I describe it in detail.

[@alaskabearhawk]

KZbin blocks web links, so just google Chicago Die Casting and one of the top links should be for the company. At the top of the page there are some links, click on the Pulleys link and that will show you the crown-faced pulley on the bottom-left of the page. You will have to know your motor shaft diameter. I think the pulley is 3 inches wide. You will probably have to call to find out where to buy one. I bought mine locally at a motor and tool repair shop. Hope this helps...

[@alaskabearhawk]

@AltonMachineCom Thanks!

[@josecid9986]

hi sr ,,, kind pipe put it on in the bearing wheel .. I got bearing Subaru but .. can tell me sr what pipe install it . you say 4140 .. but what dimencion , are is .. thanks sr

[@mannyfilmsinc]

Great video, thanks! Have you had any problems with static? How do you deal with that?

[@alaskabearhawk]

Hi Manny...interesting question and I've never thought about it. But I don't know what you are referring to when "dealing" with static. Have you experienced static discharge using a belt grinder? In all the years I've been using the grinder I have yet to experience any kind of static discharge. Whatever I'm grinding is in direct contact with the belt and I guess if there is any buildup of static electricity during use it would dissipate immediately. Hope this helps...

[@mannyfilmsinc]

Thanks for your reply. I was using my newly built belt grinder without a platen, polishing with a belt that has a cloth backing , and when i touched the machine, I had a big discharged. I started reading a lot about it and is not an uncommon things using belt grinders. Do you use the machine mostly with a rest table and probably touching it often? If yes, maybe is there where you are "discharging" yourself. .. I have to try that...

[@alaskabearhawk]

That would probably be it. 99% of the time I'm using the rest and that probably provides the path of least resistance for any static. Also, the grinder is bolted to a large metal table and the motor is grounded to the table and the electrical connection and that helps too. Maybe you can fashion some type of static discharge tether like people use when working on sensitive electronics, but that may not be such a good idea around rotating equipment. Maybe standing on an anti-static mat would help.

[@anthonyvelez2163]

Very nice.

[@garyharbison1019]

Where did you get the flat/crowned pulley that is on the motor shaft ?

[@alaskabearhawk]

KZbin blocks web links, so just google Chicago Die Casting and one of the top links should be for the company. At the top of the page there are some links, click on the Pulleys link and that will show you the crown-faced pulley on the bottom-left of the page. You will have to know your motor shaft diameter. I think the pulley is 3 inches wide. You will probably have to call to find out where to buy one. I bought mine locally at a motor and tool repair shop. Hope this helps..

[@alaskabearhawk]

@USMCSergeant00 Thank you!

[@alaskabearhawk]

@slab698 Hi... I got the parts at a local store, but you can get all the stuff you need online. Google surplus center for the pillow block bearingsn and chicago die casting for the die cast zinc pulley. KZbin doesn't allow posting of links. So sorry for the late reply. My dad isn't doing so well and I had to fly out for a visit.

[@alaskabearhawk]

They are two springs, 1in by 3in. Go to my video "2" by 72" Homemade Belt Grinder Part II" for a detailed description on the springs:

[@billdavid6315]

which model subaru so i can check some junk yards, thanks!!

[@alaskabearhawk]

+Bill David Mine was a 95 Subaru wagon with a 2.5L engine. Good luck on your build!

[@johanvanzanten8927]

Awesome homemade grinder! What size is your drive wheel? Thanks

[@alaskabearhawk]

Thanks! The drive wheel is 2 1/2 inches wide and 3 inches in diameter.

[@johanvanzanten8927]

alaskabearhawk thanks! Couple more things, what size are your platen wheels and tracking wheel? Also does the tracking wheel or drive wheel need a curved ridge? Thanks again, Johan

[@alaskabearhawk]

Johan Vanzanten Hey Johan...there are six other videos in the series. Look at the videos and the comments below each one and that should answer all your questions.

[@johanvanzanten8927]

alaskabearhawk hey there again, sorry about all the questions. I have watched all the videos multiple times and didn't have an answer to this one. How precise does everything have to be? Will the belt fall off if I'm a 1/32 out here and there or will the tracking wheel correct any minor miss-allignment? I'm in the middle of welding and so far its going alright! Thanks

[@alaskabearhawk]

Johan Vanzanten Hey Johan... Just build it and just be careful making sure the wheels line up with each other. If you build it per the video you'll be just fine. In the grand scheme of things, being off 1/32 on a project like this is nothing to worry about at all. The drive wheel is crowned and tracking wheel is crowned and adjustable to help compensate for some misalignment. Good luck on your build!

[@levanfirst2574]

thanks you for your help :)

[@garyharbison1019]

I still don't understand. Pipe measurements are inside dimentions so 2.5" pipe is still going to be too large for the bearings I got from the Subaru timing belt assembly.

[@alaskabearhawk]

Don't get hung up on the 2.5 inches. It isn't inside pipe diameter, it's wall thickness. Schedule 40 and 80 pipe outside diameter is 2.875, but the wall thickness is different so the inner diameter changes. Schedule 80 pipe has a thicker wall than Schedule 40. As a result Schedule 40 inside diameter is 2.445 while Schedule 80 is 2.290. Hope this helps clarify. www.harvel.com/piping-systems/harvel-pvc-pipe/schedule-40-80/dimensions

[@garyharbison1019]

What was confusing was that I've always been told pipe measurement is given as ID and tubing is given as OD. This might help others. I found aluminum pipe on line at " onlinemetal.com " . The 2.5" pipe does measure 2.32 " ID and the Subaru barings measure 2.367 " OD. This should work real well and there is no minimum order. Folks might also try " ALRECO.com " . They deal in all types of aluminum.

[@alaskabearhawk]

Sometimes standards aren't what they appear to be. A great example is a piece of 2x4 lumber. It's 11/2 x 3 1/2...go figure. As you know, the pipe I used was steel, not aluminum, as it's what I had in the scrap pile. I can't think of a good reason why aluminum wouldn't work, but of course it's much lighter. I think I probably get a little flywheel action from the density of the steel spinning around, but I don't know if that really matters. I've used onlinemetals.com before and they are great to deal with. They do describe pipe as a passageway and tubing as structural, so that's a good generalization and explanation why they are measured differently. Looking at their aluminum section, the Schedule 80 aluminum pipe dimensions are the same as the Schedule 80 steel pipe. Good luck on your build!

[@alaskabearhawk]

Ok...I'll see what I can do.

[@riverotterluresericdenson9216]

how much you want for it lol

[@niksechtniks]

Nice! 5/5

[@jrbass62]

When you get drawings done please contact me..Thanks..

[@alaskabearhawk]

I'll try to remember!

[@jrbass62]

Sound like me!! So many projects!!..Thanks..

[@tatarinovsergej]

отличный гриндер!самая практичная и простая конструкция какую я видел,очень все просто и эфективно!минимум деталей и максимум пользы,я такой же сделаю! спасибо за идею!

[@alaskabearhawk]

Вы очень приветствуются. Спасибо за добрые слова!

[@levanfirst2574]

thanks you for your help :)

[@levanfirst2574]

thanks you for your help :)