hey you guys! I didnt know where to post with this particular question but I am wondering if you guys have any advice for me. I am building a 2x72 with a single phase motor so I am going to use step pulleys, however I want it as compact as possible. I am wondering if you guys had any good ideas to make a bench top style sander with a pulley system. Originally I was going to make a standing sander, but I prefer a bench top so I cant really use the motors weight for tension on the pulley belt. I also want to make it quick and easy to change the belt speed, any ideas on how I can tension the belt AND make it convenient to movie it around? Thanks guys!
So here is the problem I see with what you are saying! The weight of the grinder and the motor makes an item that is not readily moved. I remember a DYI grinder some one made that stood on its own stand. something similar to this one! I goat this pic by Googling KMG clone!
I suppose this set-up above, could be set up so the motor is on a pivot and uses the motors weight to tension it.
Personally I think I would rethink the idea. Make the grinder mobile by putting it on it own cart.There is a reason for the large base plate on a KMG and that is the mass helps to smooth out any vibration. My KMG clone has a 3/8" thick, steel base plate. I remember picking it up while building and once it was mostly assembled it was not something I wanted to tote around. Let alone the 40 or 50 lbs. or more, the motor adds. I personally have a bad back and limited work-space so had to make mine mobile! Thus the cart I affectionately named the "War Wagon" after the old John Wayne movie!!
Here are some close-ups of the motor! The motor is set on a pivot and the weight of the motor handles the tension. The motor I has is strong enough that I had to install a counter balance spring. When the start-up capacitor kicks in, the motor would jump upward enough I feared the belt might jump!
The handle is to make it easier to lift the weight of the motor, as I mentioned it is heavy! The chain is there for the same reason, the motor got away from me when I was changing to a different pulley. The chain keeps the motor from crashing into the cart if it does get away! The spring is to keep the motor from jumping high enough to throw the belt at start-up!
Here is a view of the belt for the grinder going thru the cart/table-top it sits on!
The War Wagon has been ever evolving and has changed since these pics were taken! The cart solved a number of problems for space and mobility! It allows for my forge, and grinder to both be easily mobile and take up as little space as possible.