Today in the shop (sub-base for bench grinders)
Posted: 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.
[ATTACH]21685[/ATTACH]
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.
[ATTACH]21686[/ATTACH]
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:
[ATTACH]21687[/ATTACH]
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).
[ATTACH]21688[/ATTACH]
Used a step drill on the sheet metal.
[ATTACH]21689[/ATTACH]
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
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.
[ATTACH]21685[/ATTACH]
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.
[ATTACH]21686[/ATTACH]
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:
[ATTACH]21687[/ATTACH]
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).
[ATTACH]21688[/ATTACH]
Used a step drill on the sheet metal.
[ATTACH]21689[/ATTACH]
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
Of course standing in water or on wet ground might be electrifying 