I Built A Better Belt Grinder…Here’s How

Simple Build, Monster Power, Portable
Save 15% off laser cutting at SendCutSend: sendcutsend.com/timwelds
(Not an affiliate code, they're just an awesome friends of the channel)
***Learn Welding and Fabrication***
Learn welding and fabrication in my $39 online courses: courses.timwelds.com
***Why not 2x72?***
This 2"x48" grinder will be perfect for fabrication and is a much smaller machine that a typical 2"x72" knife grinder. The main advantage of the longer belt on a 2x72 is improved heat dissipation during massive material removal, which is less important to me than overall machine size.
***Parts and Tools***
Download the .dxf CAD files for free: timwelds.com/wp-content/uploa...
Motor: amzn.to/3yH9nvJ (alternatively, a single phase motor in a 56C frame would make this build much less expensive, though it would eliminate the speed control)
Variable Frequency Drive: Mine is fine, but I don't love it. If you know of a great one, please leave a comment.
Rollers: amzn.to/3eA5hyG
Tracking Screw: amzn.to/3yHaQCk
Spring: amzn.to/3TkbVb2
2x48 Belts: amzn.to/3VtDyQR
Rubber Feet: amzn.to/3yHneC2
Square Tube Plugs: amzn.to/3CBGq5o
Round Tube Plugs: amzn.to/3g8VIqV
Awesome Tap and Drill Set: amzn.to/3CDtEn0
***Disclaimer***
Welding and fabrication can be dangerous. Always work safely. These videos are provided for entertainment and general information. TimWelds assumes no responsibility for anything you choose to do. Any design files provided are not guarenteed to work for you, though they are the same files that worked well for me.

[@TimWelds]

You can learn to weld. I'll show you exactly what to do in my affordable online welding courses at courses.timwelds.com.

[@calimesacox]

Where'd you get the wheels the motor and speed controller

[@harrypehkonen]

I work at a metal fabrication shop. I have designed and had laser-cut a couple of parts already, but I really want to put together a kit like this at some point. Thanks very much for the inspiration! For those who have not seen them (like me, in the past), having precision-cut locating tabs and holes are amazing!

[@jiaVincent]

Do you need this belt grinder

[@mikepierson3097]

Dude, that is a really impressive build! Very nice work!

[@onefortheroad2291]

5:30 “I’ll go ahead and weld this on like a boss”. That you did sir

[@maxw576]

Nice build! I built a 2x72 I designed a few years back. Very handy tool! I integrated a variable height stand for standing and sitting use and a few accessories with mounts. I used wood templates and cut with a hand plasma cutter. Wheels were expensive at the time so turned my own using a HF lathe and radius tool mount I made. It was a very challenging project for my amateur capabilities. I'm very glad to see you sharing your design and making it easier for people who would like to build one.

[@SS-ws8bf]

Mr. Tim, I'm a new subscriber. I just want to say that your idea to include the plans in a single link is revolutionary and excellent. It's like you're the new Popular Mechanics! Seriously! THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT! This is on my 2023 must do list. Impressive welding, too but I REALLY want to commend you for this list. I'm glad I subbed.

[@warrenmusselman9173]

I've been on the edge of building a 2x72 for the last 2 years but have been torn over the space it would take up in my small shop. Until now I haven't seen a decent design for a 2x48. Many thanks Tim - this is now on my to-build list although I may make a few mods in order to use a motor I already have.

[@TimWelds]

Awesome! I've helped build a few 2x72s for friends and have had the same hangup on the space they take up. I figured I might as well just make one that will work for me.

[@toolteardown1]

Wow, home made tools are always a dream when done right. Solid build quality, practical features and designed from experience. Great job!

[@vulrath31]

Thanks for the video! I don't comment much (if at all), but found it important to share my thoughts. I'm in the process of building this right now, and I'm going to share a few things I've learned so far about fabrication in regard to this project specifically. 1) The threaded mounting holes on the motor are only 1/2-3/4" deep and are blind. Don't thread a 1" bolt in there and keep cranking. Ow. 2) The holes are all 3/8" as drawn, but the linked rollers are designed for a 12x40mm (I would take it to the hardware store and double check that) shoulder bolt. You could do what I did and drill it out to 10mm and get a lock nut, or you could thread it for M10x1.5 (I think that was the thread I was able to find in the hardware store). If I were to do this again, I'd have waited for the rollers to get here before I bought anything else, and definitely before I paid for the custom cut plate (which is indeed very nice), and used what's available to guide my choice on what size to thread the hole. A simple thing that could have alleviated most of my non-welding woes. [I just double checked and it should have been threaded from the start. I'm actually more satisfied with how I did things like this than if I'd done it as designed. If you get the plate as drawn you can still tap it yourself pretty easily.] 3) There are a few options for 120v input. I just grabbed the cheapest. Input is usually listed as RST on the VFD - for 1 phase 120v input hot is R and neutral is T. S is used for 240v, and ground is its own lug. 4) You don't need a ton of the 1-1/2" square tube. Maybe a 4 foot section tops, if you're thinking about making multiple tool rests. I didn't think about what I was doing and bought 8 feet of it. 5) You can make life a little easier by using KIPP style toolless screws (ratcheting handle screws) for the 4 side adjustment screws. 6) I think it's definitely important to build the frame Mr. Welds has on his, but I also think it's a good idea to go to Harbor Freight and buy a $60 grinder pedestal for this thing as well. This way you can still move it around, but you don't have to do as much lifting/fighting with it when it comes time to use it. I have more than a few tools that I dread using because I don't want to fight with getting them out from under the work bench.

[@deemstyle]

Great comment- thanks for sharing!

[@-DIYPRO-]

Great build. Thanks for linking the parts!

[@gordonvanlieshout8134]

Impressive! Quality workmanship.

[@bennyb.1742]

Well, this is on my project list now. I'm building a new shop after the loss of my previous one and I'm having a lot of fun making most of my own equipment and furniture. This grinder is awesome

[@Tinkery]

Sweet build! That is exactly the kind of grinder that I’d like for my shop: lots of flexibility, small package, and simple bullet proof construction. Well done!

[@TerryBeatson]

Looks like a practical addition to your shop, great work Tim, keep the videos coming

[@Hey_Its_That_Guy]

This is great, Tim. Simple and brilliant! Nicely done!

[@JakeyBabesxXx]

It's rare to find a build in KZbin I actually like. I love this

[@PharaohMoan]

Man! This is such a beautiful, compact, practical design. Started my 2x72 build, and as far as I’ve gotten so far is the whole front end (platten, rest, etc.). I may just have to make this design the back end to save space. Thanks man!

[@InchFab]

This is what I needed in my life, Tim. Always love your projects, and I'm all over this one.

[@ruslangabitov5202]

Thank you for sharing. Great idea for horizontal - vertical conversion!

[@AubMar]

You've kept it simple, the key in engineering, Thank you for sharing here, beautiful work!

[@eddieagha5851]

Very clever Tim! Good job!

[@tribum]

Very cool! I watched some of your earlier videos a couple of years ago. You're welding like a pro now bro! Kudos!

[@buckw65]

That was amazing. Nice work

[@westvirginiamm9802]

Nice build your a good teacher I watch your videos daily I get something from every one of them

[@jessemejia4673]

Awesome project Tim --- enjoy seeing your videos --- can't wait to see the next ones --- have a great day

[@Yaroslav_Tselovanskyi]

Very nice build, I like that you used MIG/TIG depending on the situation. One thing I would add is a counter nut for the tracking adjustment screw, maybe a nut with a tiny lever welded to it so you can lock the tracking screw in position firmly after adjusting it.

[@rogermccaslin5963]

I was thinking a coil spring slipped over the screw just to give it some resistance against vibration.

[@stephenschwarz7185]

I love this! Would be a perfect project for someone wanting to practice their welding skills for a real life use!

[@vincentbarkley9121]

Great, great video. Loved the design.

[@migs1121]

I'm almost done building mine. for a weekend warrior like me, this is a great project. Two things, my motor does not have a flange to mount it so I have to modify the design a bit. Second, if yo guys need bolts I recommend the Bolt Depot. Great prices without having to spend a tone in shipping!

[@LaceyOGrady]

Your vocabulary is amazing, I learn so many correct names for things in your videos. Fantastic work!

[@alanrichardson7244]

I’m really impressed. Especially with your dog table. It’s beautiful👍

[@chainring_tattoo]

Great job, Tim. I really enjoy your channel.

[@Brian18741]

Super tidy little design, very slick! 👍

[@sayeretmatkaal]

Oooooooh ! That's a BEAUTY ! Well done !

[@johankralt5318]

hey Tim, nicely done! definitely a big inspiration to make my own. Thanks a lot! greetings from Amsterdam.

[@kennethtencza9209]

Very nice, simple, strong, excellent 👏

[@korkie17]

Tim this is such a cool build! I can't believe this is the first video I have seen on your channel. Really cool stuff going on here!

[@TimWelds]

Thanks Kendall! Hope you and your family are doing well!

[@marty4645]

Hey thanks Tim! Awesome!

[@nuclearmelon7817]

Hey Tim love you're content. Recently bought your mig/flux core and basic fab course and they're great in the future I would love to see an advanced fabrication course and maybe a deeper dive into cnc

[@TimWelds]

Thanks!

[@carrerasjuanito]

Great work Tim. I think I will use your design as ''inspiration''' to build mine

[@jimc3678]

Nice Build!... Been following your channel. Keep up the good work.

[@barrylinkiewich9688]

I work in a laser cutting shop and I've built a 2x72", I love it but dang it's a LOT of machine and definitely NOT portable; I can lift and carry it but I need a pretty good reason to do so. It also takes up a TON of bench, and floor space in front of it, it sticks out a good 15-18" beyond the edge of a 24" deep bench. Honestly, for general shop and fab work something this size would suit most people much better so I really appreciate you uploading the files, I think that's the push I needed to finally build another and downsize to something a little more manageable.

[@merkyworks]

Really nice project

[@wesleemiller]

Great video.

[@johnkelly7264]

Thanks heaps for the CAD files! Subbed here.

[@DirtyDickMurdok]

Brother u have helped me tremendously 👍🏼

[@Suescissors]

Very good design!

[@markkusuurinkeroinen2098]

Very nice👌. I was going to build Jeremy schmidt belt grinder but when i saw this. I Have to think again... Looking forward to see upgraded table🤩

[@sirtooby]

Wow, thanx for sharing this information. Looks really well built. Smart when smaller and when you tilt the grinding you do it by tilting the hole assembly. Hope I can find a business tha can help me with the parts

[@homemadetools]

This is a better belt grinder! We shared this video on our homemade tools forum this week 😎

[@jaredharper5786]

I think this will be one of my first at home projects once I get my welder

[@Midlife-Adventures]

Thank you Tim.

[@ParsMaker]

Nice work

[@vikingironworks9261]

Awesome work mate! Loved the look of this and might have a go myself. Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺 😎👌

[@philochristos]

You made a fine knife grinder!

[@crossgrainwoodproductsltd9230]

Now here I thought in North America we couldn't run 3-phase motors without a converter. I'm baby new to this, but I really want a belt grinder so I'm absorbing as much info as I can. This is very sharp looking! Lucia's Shop built a very fancy one. You should check out her channel.

[@jasonhovey815]

What a great project

[@DougsMessyGarage]

The belt grinder project turned out great.

[@therocketman321]

That's pretty awesome!

[@CraigHollabaugh]

Yeah, another project! Thanks Professor Binford.

[@TimWelds]

More Power!

[@andrewfung9614]

i feel like these 2x48 belt grinders are useless to most people but the people who need them or covet them find incredible use for it. Ive been dreaming of one for a long time and this video gave me the inspiration and realization to realize i have everything i need to build one myself.

[@davevick1775]

Nicely done and thank you, however maybe a note with the .dxf files specifying which holes in which parts need to be tapped would help.

[@JimmyJamesJ]

WOW! Great work. I've done a similar belt grinder project but mine is not as nice as yours. The only comment I have is you've made a mistake mounting the VFD to the frame holding the motor. I've seen many VFDs fail prematurely from vibrations caused by being mounted to the motor frames. The vibrations cause the solder joints in the circuit boards to fail. Other than that, I love it.

[@dfinma]

This is very, very impressive 🤘

[@civhonbmm3]

Wow that’s nice all I need a good size workplace and skills todo it go back to learning again.

[@anthonyrosipko6124]

I’d love to see a video or small series on basic cad and showing how you use onshape.

[@JoeMalovich]

This is fantastic! I'm interested in if you have any updates or modifications you've done? Maybe a fixed base that allows the grinder to hinge over for horizontal grinding? How about those other tables?

[@melgross]

Very nice Tim. I’ve wanted to make one, but haven’t gotten around to it. The only thing I would suggest it to use something to cover that A-36 belt back plate. You’d be surprised how quickly they wear. Possibly a graphite sheet used for that purpose, or next time, a steel with good wear resistance, such as AR-400.

[@dennisyoung4631]

Perhaps a replaceable strip of UHMP? (What I had thought to use if I ever managed a grinder build.)

[@cae2487]

Why not just buy a ceramic glass platten to put on it. I'm pretty sure it's like 20ish bucks for one.

[@melgross]

@@cae2487 I don’t think I’ve ever seen a ceramic platen for these kinds of sanders. We’re talking about metal. There’s a lot of pressure used for metal. A ceramic platen could crack from the high point pressure and heat.

[@cae2487]

@@melgross go take a look at pops knife supplies they offer those plattens for sale. They can break but you'd have to really be slamming your work piece into the belt but as long as you are using it like a normal belt grinder you shouldn't have any issues. You cam only push so hard against the belt before you are going to bind it up or put a whole butt ton of heat into your part. Knife makers have been using ceramic platens for years because they last longer than steel platens and they don't heat up as fast as a steel platen would.

[@melgross]

@@cae2487 for,knives, I suppose they might be ok for a while. But for anything else, we really push it. They wouldn’t last.

[@zachrawlings6523]

That's incredible

[@johnforeman4393]

Very nice and compact grinder build! Do you have a list of the hardware & bolts you used?

[@mrt7512]

Hi Tim, appreciate the work you put in your videos, nice looking belt grinder. Do you have any tips when cutting miters on 4x1 tube? So they don’t go out of square? Thanks

[@jaspercallahan3318]

We do industrial work and do alot control cabnits. We use drives from automation direct. Great drives never had any issues.

[@Tubeagrutis]

Friggin' awesome!!! Been wanting a belt grinder, but the space and cost were challenges that I wasn't ready to take on. Now with your build here I'm ready to go. Thank you, Tim!!!

[@jiaVincent]

Do you need this belt grinder?

[@BraveUlysses59]

Good job.

[@xylemmelyx]

Sweet. You built in 12 minutes what took me a mere 7 months to do, and I suspect yours is a tad better than mine. :-) Great vid. Thanks.

[@leoposch]

Oh man, I've been wanting a narrow belt sander like this for years. This might be the one.

[@buckwheat7424]

i built a pretty sweet bike stand for a xr650r out of a bed frame on the side of the road without any detailed measurements. it looks like hell, but it works as i only have running a 115v millermatic wirefeed, at the highest voltage it still struggles on much more than sheet metal. like trying to weld a nut onto a 3/8" broken bolt is tough. something about the chinese steel bed frames it welds them with ease, a little splatter but at least it gets some good joints. weird about the welder is it'll weld beautiful looking beads on stainless with flux cored wire.

[@njbaquatics4827]

Love the compact format of this. Did you ever get round to do it any more designs for different to rest and maybe a contact well?

[@machmat33]

Love the compact build and just tilting it on its side is genius.... so simple. Have two comments.... the availability and cost of 2x48 instead of 2x72 belts. 2x72 belts are so common, in such a wide variety... I don't know about 2x48 belts. Second Comment.... I can't see that controller lasting very long sucking in grinder dust. Bad in the vertical orientation and terrible in the horizontal orientation. TEFC motors are pretty well sealed and in my experience can take a lot of abuse. Maybe a VFD in a watertight enclosure? Nice design and I never thought about using a laser cutting service.

[@phllint]

Teco L510 is an awesome vfd. I use it on my lathe and its phenomenal

[@Yousoundvaxxed]

As a knife maker, that’s an amazing grinder for those who don’t have much space!

[@Thomeeque]

Impressive, thanks for sharing all the sources. VFD should be IMO protected better, especially for the horizontal use (or just kept away in the safe distance from the unit).

[@johnnorris1227]

Yeah if all that grinding and sanding debris get inside the VFD it will more than likely release the magic smoke.

[@hayesrutherford9415]

Nice design.

[@TimWelds]

Thanks!

[@beastwolf7]

That is badass

[@jimsvideos7201]

The only thing I'd keep in mind is that in the horizontal orientation the motor might be prone to sucking up dust from off the bench. Great looking build; I could definitely use one of my own.

[@ericjensen4497]

I think that's the reason for the TEFC motor. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TEFC_motor

[@joewhitney4097]

Great little build Tim. I may have missed the information in your narrative. Are the plans available for purchase of this unit? Thanks for sharing.

[@sleepib]

If you weld a bearing ball to the tip of that tracking adjustment screw it should feel much smoother.

[@JCWren]

That's very slick! What was the total cost of the project?

[@mattyoung5084]

I second this question! Would be helpful to know.

[@brianleduc7797]

Very nice belt grinder I'm like every one else who watches projects never say the cost or were to buy the kits clearly

[@tylerkrell399]

@@brianleduc7797 He put the entire project in the description.

[@TimWelds]

The total cost was about $600, though I already had some square tubing on hand. You could save some cost by using a single phase motor without variable speed. The big ticket items were: Laser Cut Plates: $150 Motor: $220 VFD: $90 Rollers: $70 @Brian Ieduc As far as kits go, I designed this one from scratch, so there is no kit right now. Most of the major components are listed in the description as well as the CAD files for the plate work. There's also a link to add all the plates to a SendCutSend cart.

[@JCWren]

@@TimWelds Cool, thanks. Now all I need to do is get skilled enough with my TIG welding where I don't need to order 7 sets of parts from SendCutSend :)

[@bretchamberlain5302]

Awesome build, and thanks for adding the plans to the video description. I have a dumb question, are the original plans in inches or milimeters? When I was uploading them to sendcutsend, I had to stop because I don't have the program to open the original files, and therefore don't know what your original measurements were. Thanks again! I love your videos man.

[@TimWelds]

The files are in mm. Just make sure the dimensions look reasonable when you upload.

[@bretchamberlain5302]

@@TimWelds Oh, thanks...I actually got onto onshape to get the files and see that they were in mm. I am not new to fabricating, but I am new to these cad systems. Is there a quick and easy way to read the drawings for me to know what holes are tapped, and to what size? When I look at the files on onshape, I just see holes and can't figure out how to tell what size they need to be tapped. Thanks for answering these newbie questions, you're going above and beyond for me.

[@jmmcmahon]

Cool stuff. Can you talk about the design and the pulleys/rollers, what’s the sourcing of them. Thanks

[@TimWelds]

Thanks! I linked most of the components that I used in the video description. As far as the design goes, it has similarities to a lot of designs already out there, but by using the tab and slot construction of the main housing, I was able to reduce the overall part count and a lot of hand cutting.

[@dogleg6669]

Great build. Another great video.

[@deemstyle]

Nice build! Did you mention the vertical height of this grinder once finished? If not- can you let us know? I want to see if it would fit into a 15" tall cubby

[@iancraig1951]

Twin belt is good one, one fine , one coarse--very handy

[@SpottedMau]

I've been back to this video several time. Thank for taking the time. One question about the motor mount: Does the hole pattern from a 56 motor case the same as a 56c, like the one in your amazon link?

[@g.tucker8682]

Very clever design, Tim! Please stop giving me homework… :)

[@TheXxxwallyxxx]

Any progress on the accesoires of the grinder…? Like contactwheel and stuff….

[@laurencewatanabe]

Very nice i like dis how much if order all part sander belt

[@19672701]

Very nice build,wish I could learn some simple cad to design. I'm building a 2 pulley 2x48 for myself designed by chicken scratches.

[@TimWelds]

Check out onshape. It's not too bad to learn, completely web based and has a free version. That being said, I've built a lot of really cool stuff off of chicken scratches.

[@bfflorida2311]

Great idea... the only suggestion I have is to relocate your VFD. When used in Horizontal position most of the debris will be falling onto VFD, otherwise really nice video, Idea and design. 👍👏👏👏

[@6Sally5]

Super job! So…aside from it being custom designed, is there any savings between building yourself or buying an off the shelf similar grinder?

[@TimWelds]

It's not quite apples to apples with those on the market, but it ended up costing around half what I would have spent for a comparable off the shelf unit, not including my time.