here is what tracy says on his site....
Cost Projections Break Down:
Plans = $25
You will save $25 for the plans cost just by avoiding trial error that I went through building your own grinder.
Basic frame
Metal with connecting hardware for the frame and all attachments = $75
Misc ? knobs, bushings, etc = $25
Pillow Block Bearings 5/8? $12.50x2 = $25
Total Frame and all metal for attachments = $125 full plans build (no wheels)
Minimal build flat platen attachment only = $60
Note: Attachments include tool table rest, flat platen, slack belt, contact wheel arms. This is for new metal from the metal yard (scrap) yard. Most scrap yards will let you walk around and find metal they will charge you ?surplus? price which is less than a dollar a pound. Wheels for the platen and slack belt attachments are listed below. Save $15 by using bolts for knobs.
Wheels
8? contact wheel -$235 (smaller wheels cost less, bigger wheels cost more)
4ea 2?x2? idler wheels for a platen and slack belt attachment ($40ea) - $160
Power Drive Wheel 4? wheel 5/8? shaft bore w/keyway slot - $48
Tracking Wheel 3.5? x 2.5? with ?? bore with bearings - $53.00
Wheels total cost all attachments = $496
Wheels minimal with just a platen = $80
Note: These are high quality wheels from Beaumont Metals. Rob Frink allowed me to become a reseller for Beaumont Metals wheels. All wheels include the bearings. Initially this doesn?t sound like much but it is when you cost them out. Of course, you don?t have to build the entire grinder to begin with and the wheels are more than half the cost so you can really keep the price down if you just build a flat platen for $80 in wheels. If you find another source for wheels cheaper, let me know. I looked, I don?t think you will ? but I?m entitled to be wrong. I am also a dealer for Contact Rubber Corp and the retail of these contact wheels I have listed is less than my dealer cost from Contact Rubber Corp. To my knowledge, no one is selling idler, power drive or tracking wheels like these.
Power Train:
Motor 1.5hp - $160 new
$25 to $75 used.
Pulleys 3 step pair for $31
Power Twist Link Belt 2? $14
Switch, wire, connectors, tape, switch box - $15
Extension cord for a power cord - $10
Power Train with new motor = $230
Power Train used motor = $100
I bought a used rebuilt motor for $75 for one prototype by checking the local motor repair places. I made no effort beyond that. There are lot?s of motors out there and you should be able to find a used or pull for well under a hundred dollars. There is NO good reason to save $20 here to go with a single speed pulley setup when a 3 speed can be had using the triple pulley setup for $31.
Plans and full build, all the bells and whistles. Every thing new, all attachments and 3 speed pulley setup = $876
Plans and a minimal build, used motor, single attachment flat platen, tool table rest, frugal approach =$265 to $300