OK ya'll remember my "Poor man's surface grinder" where I used my milling machine and a grinding disk? Well, that does work, but Travis Wuertz (and others) have a MUCH better idea. A new member on this site posted about building a surface grinder that was inspired by Travis's design. (I Can't find the thread by OneArmed now) Looked pretty good, so with a bit of guidance from him on source of the guide bar, I built my own.
Here's a long thread from another site where he introduced the first build and started the whole SGA projects by finding a source for the parts and decoding Travis's design for us to home build. https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/home-built-surface-grinder.1532559/
Here was first step, building the magnetic chuck. Travis's chuck is 12" long, I decided to build 14" so it would handle my larger chef knifes.
Above is the 14"X2.5"X1" aluminum bar I milled slots for the magnetics. I ordered a pack of 20 of 60mmX50mmX3mm - I "thought" they were N52, but after I got them, decided they're not that strong, and checking the listing, it doesn't say what strength they are. They are holding ok, but I think I'd like the N52 better, and maybe even 5mm thick. I might make another chuck, and if I do, I'll order N52 magnetics, AND I think I'll only use 2" wide bar.
Here's the SG from the "front" (or facing grinder) with it mounted:
The dial indicator looks good there, but not sure I'll leave it. The adjustment bolt is a 1/2X20 TPI which gives .050" for a full turn. The dial on 1/2"X20 all thread rod has 10 equal marks so that works pretty good. Here is a view from bottom showing the knob I turned from a 1-1/2" aluminum rod that locks the adjustment in place.
This is a view of magnetic chuck with a bar I've been grinding. In my first tests it seems to be holding .001" (or less) over a 11" bar (different than shown)
Here's a VERY short video showing the grinding.
I'll be out of town for a couple of days, and not sure if I'll have internet access after Friday morning when I get on the road. I'll be happy to answer any questions when I return.
Ken H>
Here's a long thread from another site where he introduced the first build and started the whole SGA projects by finding a source for the parts and decoding Travis's design for us to home build. https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/home-built-surface-grinder.1532559/
Here was first step, building the magnetic chuck. Travis's chuck is 12" long, I decided to build 14" so it would handle my larger chef knifes.
Above is the 14"X2.5"X1" aluminum bar I milled slots for the magnetics. I ordered a pack of 20 of 60mmX50mmX3mm - I "thought" they were N52, but after I got them, decided they're not that strong, and checking the listing, it doesn't say what strength they are. They are holding ok, but I think I'd like the N52 better, and maybe even 5mm thick. I might make another chuck, and if I do, I'll order N52 magnetics, AND I think I'll only use 2" wide bar.
Here's the SG from the "front" (or facing grinder) with it mounted:
The dial indicator looks good there, but not sure I'll leave it. The adjustment bolt is a 1/2X20 TPI which gives .050" for a full turn. The dial on 1/2"X20 all thread rod has 10 equal marks so that works pretty good. Here is a view from bottom showing the knob I turned from a 1-1/2" aluminum rod that locks the adjustment in place.
This is a view of magnetic chuck with a bar I've been grinding. In my first tests it seems to be holding .001" (or less) over a 11" bar (different than shown)
Here's a VERY short video showing the grinding.
I'll be out of town for a couple of days, and not sure if I'll have internet access after Friday morning when I get on the road. I'll be happy to answer any questions when I return.
Ken H>
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