Today in the shop (sub-base for bench grinders)

reible · Post by **reible** » Fri May 31, 2013 11:28 pm

Out with the old and in with the new. Way back when I had made a sub-base for the two grinders I had. I had to make some changes to my set up and ended up with loosing capacity and fond myself not so happy with the new set up.

I was about ready for a change last year but then the $20 grinder started to have issues. Sounded like a good time to upgrade. Of course funds don't always let me do what I want to do when I want to do them. That was the case last year.

This year was another story and I was able to get a new grinder. The upgrade was by way of going to an 8" version with variable speed. I have a very nice older Rockwell (machine shop grade). I wanted to have them back to back so I figured out how much area I need and found a scrap piece of 3/4" plywood to use.

After locating where the holes needed to be I use a drill bit to mark the hole locations. Here is a little tip for you, when you need to make hole like this you can pick a bit that doesn't get used too much, like say 9/32". A lot of the standard bits like 1/8" or 1/4" and the likes are used a more frequently so spread the use around.

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Some of you might be wondering why I did the pilot in the first place? In that case this next photo is really going to get you wondering.

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What the heck is that blue tape for?

Those of you that have grinders know what a mess they make... yeck. The binder, the grit, the removed material.... Many years ago I had seen this bench grinder mounted on a bench with a sheet of sheet metal under it. The idea stuck with me. So rather then getting up/down/left/right/top/bottom right it was easier to put the sheet metal down just as it was going to end up and using the pilot hole from the underside to locate them.

(You might notice that the top is made up of two piece, that servers no purpose but it did let me use up to scrap pieces I had sitting around.)

After drill the sheet metal it looked like this:

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The plywood and sheet metal were then separated so I could work on making the holes the correct sizes. The grinders mount with 3/8-16 bolts, the tool rest uses 1/4-20 bolts. By using the thread inserts I was able to keep the bottom flat (no nuts/bolt sticking out).

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Used a step drill on the sheet metal.

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You are also noticing how dark it is in the pictures, not from it being night but rather heavy overcast. Had to pull thing in several times to day due to rain.

Ed

reible · Post by **reible** » Fri May 31, 2013 11:30 pm

This is as far as I got today. The glue maybe overkill as the grinders are pretty heavy and bolted down. Still didn't want the edges getting caught on anything.

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Weather permitting I should be done with this project tomorrow.

Ed

reible · Post by **reible** » Sat Jun 01, 2013 7:59 pm

Well the rain did not hold off so only a small bit more got done today.

I have the Veritas® Grinder Tool Rest which has been unmounted and unused for the last several years. One important part of this project was to regain use of that jig.

Here is where I got it from and they can explain just what it is.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.a ... 3072,45938

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.a ... at=1,43072

Part of my design this time was to have the option of mount at either wheel. Last time I just had it on the left side (finer wheel).

This was the test fitting for the mounting. And it was just moments before a very fast transition to heavy rain happened.

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Actually the intent was to show a few ideas and not so much the finishing steps of mounting the grinders so I think this tread is now finished. Thanks for looking!

Ed

joshh · Post by **joshh** » Sun Jun 02, 2013 5:50 am

I'd love to see the thread continued to the very end. Very good ideas and I will probably steal them

fredsheldon · Post by **fredsheldon** » Sun Jun 02, 2013 9:00 am

Ed, sounds like you could use one of those 12 by 12 pop up tents so you can continue to work rain or shine

Of course standing in water or on wet ground might be electrifying

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sun Jun 02, 2013 2:28 pm

fredsheldon wrote:Ed, sounds like you could use one of those 12 by 12 pop up tents so you can continue to work rain or shine Of course standing in water or on wet ground might be electrifying

What Ed needs is a 120 x 120 storage building for all that currently consumes 'indoor' garage space. Then he could work in the garage on all days.