Many of you know your options, and you usually get what you pay for. For many of us, at least at this point in time, a BIII or Hardcore is not an option.
My first, and current grinder, is a Grizzly. Many have scoffed, and while I admit its limitations, it is a good grinder when you consider the price. Problem is, I am outgrowing it. I decided that I need to do something soon to accomodate my growing grinding wants and needs. Not being a machinist, I decided that making my own would be costly.
To make a long story short, I contacted Grizzly Industrial to see if they sell the grinder without the motor. They do. It is part #P1015089 (Complete Box #2) and it sells for $149. Being that the complete grinder is an integral unit (the motor shaft is also the arbor), one would need to need to enlarge the hole in the pivot arm bracket and install a shaft and bearings. This would allow a person to hollow grind without the motor in the way, and also set it up for variable speed (via pulleys or DC motor). I also have some ideas for an integral small wheel setup (the change would only require pivoting the arm back and adjusting the idler support arm).
After the financial Holiday burden is over, I intend to start this project. My goal is $450 dollars, which includes farming out the machine work. If there is an interest, I will keep this project updated.

Brett

BCB27,
Keep us posted on your progress. I am always interested in building my own/saving money.
Sashcord

I am also building a couple of grinders.One of which is a 1 x 42 horizontal grinder with a 3" drive wheel and 1/2" and 3/4" wheels for doing finger grooves and profiling.Dave

You might want to check out this site. He'll sell you a kit or make you any parts you may want.
www.geocities.com/beaumon...index.html (http://www.geocities.com/beaumontmetal/index.html)
Mike

Mike,

Rob has done some work for me in the past and is going to do the machine work for this project as well.

Brett

My recommendation would be step pulleys for an inexpensive variable speed machine. It costs much less than a DC motor and controls.

I plan on using a 1.5 hp industrial motor (reversable).

Brett

Have you tried N. E. Coote grinders.They come without motors, so you can configure how you want it. They come in 2/6/48 285.00 P/S, 2/6/72 310.00 P/S, 2/8/72 310.00, 2/8/72 385.00 P/S, 2/10/72 398.00 P/S.
His number is 360-437-0366
Hope this will help you in your decision.

Ken

Ken,

I have taken the Coote into consideration. If my figuring is correct, I should be able to make exactly what I want for about $100 less.

Brett

Does Coote have a website and will they ship into Canada?
Thanks
Steve

Coote does not have a site Steve,and will not take credit cards. His PH/FAX is 360-437-0366. I have talked wiyh other makers about this grinder and have had no negative feedback. I plan on buing the 2/6/72 after I get well from the holidays, the Grandkids broke me again. If you flat grind or convex like me I think this machine for the money is a great choice. Ken

Is the grinder done?
How about some detailed pics and your review after using it?
LOTS of us are interested in these home grinder projects!
Thanks,
Dave

Dave,

I have all the parts collected except for the shaft. Hopefully, I will complete the project after the PKA show and post pictures.

Brett

Hi Brett,
I' ve been working on a similar project. instead of reaming out the mount, I'm going this direction:
http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Aug/2001864223728082608840.jpg
I just got my shaft from Rob Frink and will be finishing up this week. For now, I'm going to run mine with the Grizzly motor and pulleys. Here's a pic of the axle setup.
http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Aug/2001867953308589732496.jpg
Good luck with yours. Look forward to seeing how it comes out.
Regards, Greg

Greg,
Welcome to the CKD, you will find a lot of friendly people here who are willing to help.
Have fun,
Mike

Greg,

Welcome to the CKD, and good luck with the project. I look forward to seeing pictures and hearing a review.
I decided to ream out the support and install a bearing because I think it will put less strain on the bearings in the long run. I am thinking about putting one of Rob's discs on the end opposite the contact wheel. The grinder will overhang my bench, so using the disc from the side should not be a problem.

Brett

Greg,
Welcome,.
Keep us posted on your progress,.

Interesting anothor way you can do it is make pullies that
can be threaded onto the buffing shaft and have a seperate motor with a belt to run the grinder.
You also have a good idea were are you going to set the block and the pullies in front of the motor or in the back
and were are you going to run the belt of the motor
I also have a griz,I put a ten inch wheel on mine
got it from norm coote for 110.I would like to hear how you are going to ingage the front pully on to the shaft
there is the black space there and a washer that hold the wheel on were is the pully going on the front.
you can email me a house-house@mindspring .com
I am interested in our set up.
Thanks nathan

Many of us are working on nerw grinder ideas, and many of us own grizzlies that we would like to improve. Please keep this thred going until some of these projects get finished up!

Thanks,
Dave

Hi everyone,
Thank you very much for your welcome aboards. I've finally gotten my grinder conversion up and running. Tonight as matter a fact. There is still work to do on it and I will try and answer any questions on it when I am finished. I will post the completed machine then. There have been some problems and some changes. The biggest change so far was the motor. I had planned to use the Grizzly motor that came with, but found a 1 and 1/2 hp at Harbor Freight for just under $90. The griz motor will do buffing duty now. Here are some pics, it runs smoothly. (fact it is on in one of the pics) Thanks again.
Regards, Greg
http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Aug/20018226381468436977776.jpg
http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Aug/20018228040060434106410.jpg
http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Aug/20018227870620279640031.jpg

Nice set up, were did you get the houseing unit that the bearings are setting on.I found a place that sales the bearings
for 12 dollars.I know the one peace comes with the griz I am
asking about the square box on the left side of the wheel.also did you have a machinest make your shaft that the wheel rides on
nathan

Hi Nathan,
The bearing support is made up of sections of 2" X 6"
wood that I screwed and glued together. I fiberglassed the contact surfaces.
Rob Frink made the shaft for me.
Regards, Greg

I just read your post, I am new to all of this and don't know much about it. I hammer out my knifes and then been fileing them. If I was to make a sander or order one from N.E. Coote what would be a good size to get?
Thanks for any help you can give me.
Jim

Most of us use a 2X72 inch belt.
My burrking is still using 2X60 inch belts.
A few use the 4 inch wide belts, but it is just a few.

My grinder is pretty much finished for now. Added a brace for the idler arm and removable mount for the tool rest. The tool rest can also be mounted lower to allow use on the contact wheel. Very happy with how it came out, only problem now is; my girlfriend likes to use it.
Regards, Greg
http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/2001962500102858266215.jpg http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/2001963683953661766346.jpg
http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Sep/2001968004436735861812.jpg

Hi,
I forgot to add that I put some support under the idler arm and added a spring inside the spring on the idler assy.
Regards, Greg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid26/p3249e374942ccca5e29cc23028b77b9e/fe405265.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid26/p89388d9c8c84248a1b170a9ab88657ef/fe4048e1.jpg

Where can I get a Girlfriend powered grinder? :)

Good looking grinder, How does she bite?

Brett,

Nice job on the conversion! Looks like you're set to go. I also converted my grizzly when it would no longer do what I wanted to do. I made mine into a three-wheel grinder by replacing the platen with an idler wheel from Bader (if I had access to a machine shop I would have made the wheel as well). So far it's done a fine job for me. My next project is to make it variable speed.

Gary Mulkey
Fall Creek Knifeworks

Gene,
she sure does, especially if your not careful how you handle her.
Regards, Greg

Greg,
You've done a great job in the conversion and even a better job in sharing the info online. The photos and descriptions of your work are very thorough and helpful. Your craftsmanship and ingenuity are supurb!

I think it is a great contribution to the forums and I thank you!

Great Job!

Rob

Rob,
Thanks for the kind words and thanks for your help .It was the linchpin in the conversion. Pleasure to work with
you.
Regards, Greg

Ya..that looks like you have done a GOOD job!....It is allways nice to see how people get what they want

I meant How does the GRINDER bite, not your girlfriend.LOL
You guys...............
Hey , Let's see what she is making too.
Inquiring minds want to know.
Have fun, Be blessed.Work SAFE.

Here are some preliminary photos of the Grizzly that Rob Frink has helped me modify. These photos were taken by Rob. I will post some photos when I get the grinder completely set up in my shop.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid26/pbd9c8f73a161cc62528e9daf79874292/fe3aafb6.jpg.orig.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid26/p72f84ef20d05be0d52e3a5496a97f27c/fe3aafb0.jpg.orig.jpg

Brett

Looking good, can't wait to see the finished proguct.

Wow, Brett, that is looking real sweet. I'm glad your idea to ream out the support arm for a bearing worked out. I like that idea alot. The disc is very handy too. It's really cool to see someone's idea come to life. Great job! I look forward to seeing the finished product.
Regards, Greg

Here are a few pictures of the complete grinder setup. You can find more pictures of the grinder plus some other pictures of my shop at www.imagestation.com/albu...4292355849 (http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=4292355849) .
Adding it up, I paid approximately $585 for the complete setup including the motor and controller, which I purchased used. The motor is a 1 HP Leeson. It seems to have enough power for hollow grinding and grinding on the disc, but tends to bog down when I get aggressive on the platen. Oh well, I still have my standard grizzly for that stuff.

Brett

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid27/p93f56e1b3b2e48df9a96a61ea5b2f16f/fe33742f.jpg.orig.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid27/p6638d68c03da46050d82cb31b4f7a951/fe33747c.jpg.orig.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid27/p3b01b73fd242b347f8764e35ea0c42a5/fe337464.jpg.orig.jpg

That looks simple and clean, man.
Good job!