How To: Track Your 2x72 Grinder in Forward & Reverse

Lets get your 2x72 Belt Grinder Tuned to go Forward and Reverse.
►► ►►►Socket Allen Wrench Kit►►► ►► amzn.to/3nT3NOo
► Link to Plans for the DIY Tilting 2x72 Belt Grinder ►► bit.ly/2Pa7JvZ
►► Take all the hard work out this build and buy the Ultimate Build Bundle for the 2x72 Belt Grinder ►► bit.ly/2WIPgt4
► ►2x72 Wheels ► bit.ly/3vwq3Vn
►► FACEBOOK GROUP FOR DIY BELT GRINDERS◄◄ / diybeltgrinders
►►Work For It Podcast Spotify◄◄
open.spotify.com/show/0uz3L0b...
►►Work For It Podcast Apple ◄◄ podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...
►► Makery Network Website ◄◄ makery.network
►► Empire Abrasives Affiliate Link (10% off first order)►►lddy.no/swep
►►Tools ◄◄
► Welder I use ► amzn.to/36AQDxY
► Magnetic Brace Tools ► amzn.to/2SuC62q
►Socket Allen Wrench Kit► amzn.to/3nT3NOo
► Large Magnetic Brace tools (RED) ► amzn.to/2SDYbLY
► Tap-Magic ► amzn.to/39lXBsa
► Welding / Grinding Mask ► amzn.to/2tMS5yP
► JET Milling Machine ► amzn.to/2ZQqzwk
► Hold Down Clamping Mill Set ► amzn.to/2SQFeWM
► LED Sewing Machine Lamp ► amzn.to/36pWsOK
► Magnetic Level ► amzn.to/3sAXt1C
►►2x72 Supplies◄◄
► 2HP Iron Horse Motor ► bit.ly/2UUZMhR
► VFD (To Control the Motor) ► amzn.to/2XLg0vd
► Reverse Switch for VFD ► amzn.to/2OVUWgA
► ►2x72 Wheels ► bit.ly/3vwq3Vn
► 2" Wide High Carbon Steel Plate (For platen face) ► bit.ly/37qo2wM
Disclaimer: House / Work may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links here.
PATREON ►► / housework
BUY ME A COFFEE ► (one time donation to support my work): www.buymeacoffee.com/housework
INSTAGRAM ► / house__work
WEBSITE ► www.HouseWork.us

[@remyd5032]

I literally just got my motor and got it mounted up last night. I realized real quick it was going to need some adjustments. I decided to wait until today and I found this video in the meantime...perfect timing Thanks for the tips Brian

[@HouseMadeUS]

Right on!! Glad it's helping. Cheers Remy!

[@XeoWolf]

Just finished the build to the point where I can put a belt on and work on the tracking. After about an hour of "fiddling" with it I got frustrated and had to head off to work. I'm going to try again with this knowledge when I get home. Wish me luck!

[@HouseMadeUS]

You'll get it! No luck needed. 🤠

[@augiedad54]

Very down to earth explanation of the alignment process. Good work!

[@HouseMadeUS]

- Thank you! 🧨🧨🧨

[@mattmerrell8929]

In the middle of my build and cannot wait till its finished. Love your videos. You do an excellent job explaining everything.

[@dlancello]

I set the tracking using a small turnbuckle on the primary and it works great!

[@HouseMadeUS]

Awesome, that’s great! 🤩

[@Beldraakthesludir]

Great info! Just got my kit assembled tonight, and wiring it up tomorrow!

[@keithrutsey9992]

Great video. Just bought the Revolution 5 kit and I’m excited to put it together. Keep up the great work!!

[@christiannairz5366]

This was very helpful. I just finished my grinder, loving it. So glad I bought the plan and built this beast. Thanks.

[@coinflasher]

Great info. Thanks for taking the time to share this with the community

[@luc1fersflowers]

just got my kit so excited to get it running!

[@HouseMadeUS]

Awesome. Thank you! 🙏🏼

[@paulz5531]

Been struggling to get my grinder to track both directions. Watched the video and the lightbulb went off in my head. Out to the shop and had it tracking in 15 minutes. Thanks.

[@dlancello]

My build is 90% done. Really helpful on tuning the tracking. Thanks!

[@russhigbee6357]

Nice, that takes the hair pulling outa setting the tracking. Appreciate it!

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thanks Russ! 🙏🏼

[@darylhawes8804]

Hey Brian, You did a great job explaining the Subtle nuances of tracking. I don't think I've seen anyone else explain it better and I've watched a lot of tracking videos Thanks, 👍😁

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thanks Daryl! Once you get it, its quite simple. Glad you enjoyed this video.

[@aaronmalin4160]

Another great video by a great dude!

[@markdill7740]

Awesome tutorial as usual! This will be soooo helpful when I get my gen4 finished. Thank you for being you brother!

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thank you Mark!! 🚀

[@babayaga-bubbatohisfriends4385]

great video mate, hoping to finish my build this week end so this info is super handy.

[@davidnolan361]

Love this video and I will be buying the grinder in the future

[@crazydougthewolf]

Thanks for the info, I've built several grinders over the years but just learned something new about adjusting the tracking, thanks again!

[@HouseMadeUS]

Glad to help! Thank you.

[@BrandonGuise]

I'm going through this video for probably the 10th time! lol.. I added the dominator tracking system and I haven't gotten it just right yet. lol Just know that you're making some KILLER information that is invaluable..

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thanks Brandon, it will get there ASAP. Sorry for the delay on that. The dominator makes it easy to dial in.

[@toddbolce694]

Great work Brian, very helpful!

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thanks Todd! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@jona1017]

Thanks for the constant updates and passing on your knowledge about your product to us. Job well done sir

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thanks Chris. I appreciate that very much. 🙌🏻

[@kriskilbourne3966]

Great video and perfect timing. I just finished my Revolution and was having problems getting it to track. I will put this info to good use tonight

[@HouseMadeUS]

⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️Awesome Kris. Glad it can help! Cheers!! ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

[@garetkonigsfeld2]

I run in reverse alot it was one of the first modifications I did to my grinders over 10 years ago. Reverse is super handy. Awsome video. Thanks for sharing.

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thank you Garet!! I get asked about this all the time. Other than sharpening what other reverse functions do you do?

[@garetkonigsfeld2]

When making really thin kitchen knives ill run in reverse just because I've had the thin edge catch the splice in the belt. It's also easier for me to do convex edges in reverse. In forward I feel like I need to stand off to the side with my elbows way out and in reverse I stand pretty much normal. Awsome tip videos you make I really like how you brake down the small stuff. Really cool outside the box thinking. Thanks for sharing 👍.

[@matthewmysse1523]

Perfect timing...I am just now at this point in my G4 build...played around with the tracking a little and was getting frustrated...had to set it aside due to a business trip, but have been wondering what I have been doing wrong and brainstorming for ideas on my trip since...now I have something to reference when I get back!

[@HouseMadeUS]

Nice! Glad it can help! Thanks Matthew. 🚀

[@mikehegdahl5393]

Thanks as always! Looking forward to getting time to build mine! Keep getting your accessories as you show them!

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thanks Mike! Just a little bit every day, goes a long way.

[@chucklesp]

Thank you! Much needed info.

[@alk5749]

This video really helped me dial my tracking in. Could not believe the difference that bottom platen wheel effects the tracking. You the man, man!

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thank you!!

[@ponderosaknifecompany8]

I bought first gen plans from you a while back. This build has been a great challenge for me I finally finished it up just recently. I did a shakedown run and the tracking was ok going forward but sucked going in reverse. Thank you for this video it made my headache go away and my neighbors appreciate the peace and quiet now.

[@HouseMadeUS]

Yeah I show the reality behind the very minute adjustments and how critical they are. And how fiddley they can be. But once you get the concepts all is possible.

[@Batti2323]

This is an excellent tutorial that makes all the difference in getting your grinder to run well. Thanks!!

[@HouseMadeUS]

⚡️⚡️⚡️Thank you⚡️⚡️⚡️

[@charlescamen5225]

a very practical video and sound hints.

[@ktmxkid243]

I learned a lot. Thanks

[@jamesblue13]

Great detailed explanation!

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thank you!!

[@jbbenni]

Just watched this again, long after my initial setup of the grinder. Really helpful. Great tips presented clearly. Thank you BH!

[@HouseMadeUS]

Yes indeed!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@glennthibodeaux6141]

Wow thanks Brian my revolution has always run good going forward but not in reverse. It will now run forward and reverse with minimal adjustments. Thank you for the awesome tutorial.

[@HouseMadeUS]

Awesome Glenn, thanks for watchin!!

[@johnbaer4540]

John This video is exactly what I was looking for. thanks

[@HouseMadeUS]

Glad it helped John. Thanks

[@widneyburton5559]

Thanks for this!!

[@paulsalb1686]

Great information! Will review this video when I need help on my 2x72 revolution belt grinder. Thanks Brian

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thanks Paul!! 🚀

[@stormbringer6860]

Great video Brian! This is so very helpful and answers a lot of frustration I've had. Thank you very much!

[@HouseMadeUS]

Glad it could help! Cheers! 💪🏻😁

[@erikbullard2289]

Excellent video, your information is extremely helpful. Thank you

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thanks Erik.

[@marklyon3071]

Great info. Looking forward to ordering one!

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thanks Mark!

[@stephensteliou7397]

i now understand better the belt grinder and also the sound is more clear than other speakers have a variable volume on critical moments

[@stephenborders4654]

Great information. helps to understand the setup.

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thank you.

[@ericmoore2236]

Your work is incredibly informative and I love the technical terms wibbely wobbly 😂 thanks again Brian 👍

[@HouseMadeUS]

It’s a technical term. 😂😂😂

[@Rob11235]

Awsome explanation!

[@HouseMadeUS]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tullydj2]

Thanks for the vid. Love my grinder. Used it today and its a beast. Love it!!!

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thanks Donald. It’s a tank of a machine. 🚀

[@briancoots5543]

Great info!

[@dcords01]

Great video. Very informative. That’s going to help a lot. Thanks.

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thanks Dan. Cheers! 🚀

[@heliguy3062]

As usual great job on the video for tuning the tracking on the grinder. I have built the Revolution I love it and use it all the time keep up the good work looking forward to see your next video cheers.

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thanks man, glad you’re getting lots of use out of your Revolution! Cheers 👊🏻⚡️

[@BecksArmory]

I love that you showed the adjustment of the lower platen wheel! I've had to do this on just about every grinder. You explained it perfectly! This video is packed with a ton of great info! I made sure I clicked on your add. :)

[@HouseMadeUS]

Yeah it’s something you wouldn’t think could make a difference, but it does! Primary / secondary for the win!! 🚀🚀🚀

[@luizantoniomellodealmeidap9510]

Hello! I did not think that this situation woud exist. The Bolt hás to be 90 degrees with platen. Maybe because you can not put more torque. If you torque só much, Will cause Axial loads on bearing. There are design with snap ring tô attach the wheel tô the Bolt. Maybe this solution help tô solve this problem. In my opinion, the 90 degrees for platen wheel has to be done during fabrication of the machine and no more adjustment necessáry after that. I dont know If os possíble. I see in another vídeo a Guy using snap ring. Maybe work.

[@BecksArmory]

@@luizantoniomellodealmeidap9510 well not all bolts are straight and not all nuts have faces that are perpendicular to the bolt axis. This is why giving them a twist can fix your issues.

[@luizantoniomellodealmeidap9510]

@@BecksArmory YES, you are right! The Twist is a good alternative. Thank you for the answer.

[@Sloansteelsigns]

Great video!

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thank you Omar. Cheers! 🙌🏻

[@MrRoscoj]

Great video! Thanks!

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thank you Bradley. Cheers! 💪🏻😁

[@paulvanzweel8287]

Great Video!

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thank you Paul! 🤩

[@raulgomez3588]

Brian, excellent video and one of this type was needed. Thanks friend

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thank you sir! 🙌🏻

[@Gekko1900]

Very useful 👍 thanks

[@richard-sim]

I've been thinking about the wheel and tracking mechanism designs, and I'm pretty convinced that they're just plain wrong in several ways. Crowned pulleys work by the very slight bend the crown causes on a misaligned belt, forcing it back into alignment over the centre of the pulley. Having two crowned pulleys draws a (imaginary) line between them that orients the belt - but it doesn't just move the belt side-to-side, it's twisting the belt between the two pulleys as it has to be straight when it goes over the platten which isn't necessarily in line with the imaginary line. All that is to say, I think the correct solution is that the drive wheel shouldn't be crowned and then the contact wheel's primary and secondary axis (using your terminology from the video) should only be used to get that wheel exactly parallel to the drive wheel with an additional side-to-side sliding movement (keeping it parallel to the drive wheel) to actually adjust the tracking. That way your tracking in both directions is determined by the tracking wheel alone. Less belt twisting, no opportunity for different forward vs reverse tracking, cheaper large drive wheels, but at the cost of a bit more complicated tracking mechanism. This does rely on your motor and platten wheels misalignment being less than the crown on the tracking wheel though...

[@HouseMadeUS]

Hi Richard. I too thought this was an issue. So I ordered a flat drive wheel. It didn’t change much. I still had side to side wobble. Only until I had lined everything up did it go away (mostly) always a work in progress. Fun work none the less.

[@ksarrow]

Cool stuff, thanks man.

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thanks Kevin! I appreciate that very much. 💪🏻😁

[@LARRY-cc6yl]

Great info

[@davesmith8936]

Great vid! Very technical yet understandable. Thanks.

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thanks Dave! 💪🏻

[@derekreay3879]

Much more informative than I ever would have thought … thank you

[@HouseMadeUS]

Glad it was helpful, Derek!

[@nikknives9352]

Nice video!pro's tips! thanks for that!

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thank you Nik! 🙌🏻

[@williamlanphar630]

Thanks,again, as always.

[@HouseMadeUS]

My pleasure William!

[@anhtuan71]

I really like his belt sangding machine products . Very beautiful and goof quality .

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thank you!

[@cohenjacocks8550]

My tracking was all wrong! Very helpful

[@shootgp]

Always good info as usual. For the secondary tracking maybe a half inch square welded onto it for a wrench would help in that adjustment (or maybe laser cut one in for a socket drive).

[@HouseMadeUS]

Definitely something I have thought about. I would hope that secondary adjuster wouldn't need much after its dialed in but that would be a nice touch. Cheers.

[@REKKnives]

Great video thanks

[@HouseMadeUS]

⚡️⚡️⚡️ Thank you REK !!! ⚡️⚡️⚡️

[@ponderosaknifecompany8]

Thanks for the video! I don’t feel like a failure with this build.

[@HouseMadeUS]

Awesome man! Thank you!! 🙌🏻

[@nukebert1]

Good stuff. Thnx.

[@HouseMadeUS]

You're welcome Bruce. Thank you.

[@trainwon5699]

Good job thanks

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thanks Don! 🙌🏻

[@raulgomez3588]

¡Me encanta este vídeo! He comprado una ovación de 50,00 MXN 👏👏

[@ezmeadows]

Hey thanks for the great info, will you be doing one for the new tracking mechanism? Again I thank you

[@jimcollins9316]

Great video, thank you so much for the info!

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thank you Jim. I appreciate your support. 💪🏻

[@avparsons1]

Good info,

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thank you! 🙌🏻

[@helicopterjohns]

Nice video!!!! Appreciate the information. John

[@CGT80]

Great explanation! there were a couple little things I would have added to the explanation if I was doing it, but you were very detailed and have a knack for speaking in front of a camera and also for getting great shots and editing them. The video seems simple, but then I noticed either a closer shot or zoomed in edit with your original dialogue. I'm not sure if you had a second camera or b roll, or if you zoomed in with editing, but it takes extra time to edit and even more for additional camera shots. In the end, it makes the video much more effective. I will be buying your plans and cad drawings to build a hybrid grinder that will use all the good points from various builds. One of them will be a rotary platen designed by helicopter John, to allow one tool bar to give 5 or 6 different options.

[@luizantoniomellodealmeidap9510]

Nice procedure Brian! Very informative and well explained. Thank you! Just a comment If you allow. When you start the alignment of the wheels, the drive wheel has to be 1/4 " outboard in relation to platen wheel. Not faced with the platen wheel. Because the drive wheel has 2.5" and the platen wheel 2". I think the more important is the alignment of the center of the wheels . It is just a detail but the drive wheel is biger to work with some variation on sand position. Same think is valid tô tracking wheel. I think It is also 2.5".

[@freestyla101]

this was a reaaallly good video. For anyone that has built their own 2x72, how far out do you adjust the tracking wheel? So it's in line with the platen wheels?

[@HouseMadeUS]

The center of each wheel should line up.

[@kevingade5615]

Great informative video. My issue is it won’t track in the middle. I don’t have the secondary adjustment and the belt just rolls over the middle. I know this is minimal information, but any ideas on how to fix it? Much appreciated thanks

[@sudo_nym]

Great job, Brian! 👏🏻 And good job having Lord Feder on last night, too. I’m with you! Bingo bongo bango! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😇

[@HouseMadeUS]

😂😂😂😂 Bingo!!!! 😂

[@sudo_nym]

@@HouseMadeUS 🤜🏻💥🤛🏻

[@alexm2833]

After inspecting everything thoroughly, my particular build needed an additional 3/16 spacer between the platen and the tooling arm to track correctly.

[@shauntucker5145]

Love the videos and design. Wondering as I have a 6ft x 4 ft sheet of 1/4' plate in my garage would it be stiff enough to make this grinder or is the 3/8 that you have everything made out of critical?

[@HouseMadeUS]

The design calls for three separate sheet thicknesses. I think .25 would be too thin. Sorry Shaun.

[@alecf3691]

Finally getting to the exciting part on this gen 4. But having a heck of a time getting the alignment. It seems to track well on the platen rollers and the drive roller, but the belt is not in the center of the tracking wheel. Any thoughts!?

[@rodalbert3274]

Brian when adjusting the wheel with the tracking arm u continually had to move back and forth turning the machine on and off what about adjust the tension on the tracking arm screw leave the machine running use a crescent wrench or what ever works best on the tracking arm while the machine is running and adjust it in one step ?

[@joeknight7527]

Alright I'm gonna dig into this today and see if I can get her running straight

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thanks Joe, hope it all went well.

[@user-pv9gh3yh7j]

I purchased your grinder and wheel package last May and just now (end of Aug) putting it together. After following your alignment instructions, I had difficulty getting it to track in both directions. The problem lies in the different widths of the wheels. The drive wheel is 2.25", the tracking wheel is 2.50", and both platen wheels are 2.00". You can not use a straight edge on the outside of the wheels as demoed. You must allow for the difference in widths. Both drive and tracking wheels are crowned, therefore the center of these two must align. I suggest making all three wheels the same width. Otherwise I love you machine.

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thank you.

[@jean-michel4898]

Great piece of advice thanks a lot !!!!

[@HouseMadeUS]

You’re welcome! Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@sieprienstra6631]

Super informative, thanks. Too bad my grinder hasn't got secondary axis

[@HouseMadeUS]

Can you add it to your grinder?

[@sieprienstra6631]

@@HouseMadeUS don't think so. I'll dm you on IG.

[@garyboardwine3349]

Lol that's pretty much same techniques I used starting at the drive wheel, platen wheels, I used a digital angle gauge on the tracking wheel to establish the primary angle in line with the other wheels, it ended up within a 16th of being aligned with the platen bracket from top to bottom, I traced that to a slight variation in the tube steel , the factory roll ,weld , I also had to adjust my bottom platen wheel as well

[@HouseMadeUS]

Yeah the digital level works too. I find it quicker to do a straight edge but you probably got a more accurate set up using that little level.

[@garyboardwine3349]

I used mostly a strait edge , only used the digital level on face of the tracking wheel, I laughed after watching your video, it was uncanny the same methods used , I guess some minds think alike lol, I also adjusted the drive wheel in and out , saying that , if you follow your directions to the tee, this grinder is very consistent in its build , peace !

[@3amForge]

I still remember watching you build gen 1 and you answering my questions I asked in the comments about my own build at the time. I thank you for your advice and will definitely be ordering one from you when I'm ready to upgrade.

[@HouseMadeUS]

Awesome Jason. Yeah man seems like yesterday. Almost 2 years now. Hope you all are doing well. 🙌🏻

[@Shrubfan]

Is it worth adding an adjustment screw mechanism to the secondary tracking point?

[@HouseMadeUS]

Its very nice to have, yes.

[@mkwlls]

Hey Brian, when you switch to reverse, should you flip your belt around or is it not a big deal? Love the "bounce and return" torque spec.

[@HouseMadeUS]

No need to turn the belts around. That is a misnomer. Keep it easy, keep it simple. 👍🏻

[@tonylatham5915]

Brian: Thanks for doing this video... I'm just to this point with my grinder.

[@williamnichols7295]

Bryan I 'm having trouble when I put pressure on the front of the platinum the belt runs off to the right .how do I solve this

[@AirGuitarRokin]

does the reverse tracking adjustment work on the 4" wheel for the Gen 5 too? just curious

[@HouseMadeUS]

Yea it should work on all generations of Revolutions.

[@luizantoniomellodealmeidap9510]

I think that a way tô show when the tracking wheel is in neutral position (primary and secundary tracking) would make the Job easier. Example: turn the adjustment Bolt until the end clock wise. Then turn 3.5 (openning). That is neutral. Wheel face in vertical position. Check with a level. Just a Idea. The secundary tracking would tô be marked with a pen as you did , but Also in neutral position.

[@larrydbrazil]

Why don't you consider a fine threaded bolt to fine tune the top platten which you adjusted by hand many times in this video?

[@HouseMadeUS]

Hi Larry, we added this in Gen 5. Comes standard in the kit. Or you can upgrade any revolution this way now.

[@user-ke7uf1lk3i]

I'm a simple guy, I see brian I like!

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thank you sir! 😁

[@user-ke7uf1lk3i]

@@HouseMadeUS good work Brain!

[@vickerja]

Finally finished the grinder and could not get it to track right…..that is until I watched this video.

[@HouseMadeUS]

Glad it helped! Thank you!

[@hagsmich]

Mine tracks perfect in forward but it won't track in reverse. I will try to follow this and see what happens.

[@anthonyfitzpatrick127]

I want you to know that I've been a youtube scholar for years and this is the first time I've ever been swayed to "hit the thumbs up and leave a comment down below"

[@HouseMadeUS]

Thank you brother! I truly appreciate you and this. Cheers!!