ENCO 6x18 Manual Surface Grinder VFD Upgrade and Rack and Pinion Replacement

[@seanfitzgerald4052]

Awesome thanks.

[@hansmuller9121]

HeySamuel, you got a great grinding machine for a very good price. Have fun with the machine, I always enjoyed working with it. A little tip before you start grinding parts, you have to sand the magnet once so that it is properly planed. Since you removed and dismantled the magnet and the table too. We had a similar machine in our company and after every maintenance (once a year) we always sanded the magnet briefly. It is only minimal, but it can also happen that workpieces are otherwise not held properly.

[@samuelwiltzius]

Thanks! I have been practicing with some test pieces and working to improve my technique. So far, I learned that I was pretty terrible at first go, but have been gradually improving and am nearly to the point that I am comfortable grinding in the table flat. Early on, I was amazed how much better a clean table holds the peice.

[@hansmuller9121]

​@@samuelwiltzius I once had a part fall off my magnet because I tried to sand off too much at once. The thing flew through the room like a missile and got in a lot of trouble with my boss for it. :) I was more careful after that

[@steesbassoon]

Great video! I have an Enco surface grinder, too. I’d like to look into the wider arbors so i can use wider wheels. What are the specs on the Sopko arbors you have besides what width wheel they will take? Thanks!

[@samuelwiltzius]

I'm not sure if you can see this listing (or how long it will be visible) but this is what I purchased and I did have to modify them slightly to accommodate the arbor nut. They now work perfectly. www.ebay.com/itm/156472313960 I took a risk since there was limited info. These are not balancing hubs like the one that came on the machine. I've read that balancing is not needed on this size machine (though it can be done my moving material from the wheel with a carbide drill once mounted on the hub). I believe it is standard taper if you are searching. It may be useful to go to the sopko website and look up how arbors are described, measure yours, and then compare model numbers to the sopko website if looking for used.

[@steesbassoon]

Also, my grinder is cable driven, not rack and pinion. I’d like to convert, so any advice you can offer would be appreciated!

[@samuelwiltzius]

I was under the impression cable and ball bearing is better than ways and gears like I have. Somewhere I read gears can sometimes lift if cranked too forcefully - but I have not been able to produce this effect on my grinder (yet). I simply replaced the rack and pinion so all I had to do was measure each part and order replacements.

[@steesbassoon]

Also, this guy does AMAZING work and he has an Enco knock off. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWjLfqKoj9KgkNksi=K1lDi90ZTI7Y2fTy

[@samuelwiltzius]

Very cool channel! I can relate; my Monarch lathe and Bridgeport are from my wife's Grandfather's home shop and he was a machinist prior to setting up his home shop.