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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    54
    Posts
    825

    Default Jeremy Schmidt 2x72" Belt Grinder

    My son has been making knives for a little while now and has got to the point where he needed something more substantial than my 2x36 Multitool.
    I did a bit of looking on the interweb at different grinder designs and reached the conclusion that the Jeremy Schmidt 2x72” grinder was a very versatile option so I purchased the plans from Jeremy’s site and got to work.
    I’ve tweaked things in a few places mainly due to using metric sized stock but I also made what to my mind were a few minor improvements.
    Here’s a shot of the main fabricated components of the base grinder and the platen attachment.
    Gerr Schmitt Grinder 01.jpg
    These shots show the base frame.
    I changed the hinge material to be based around 50mm wide rather than the 1.5” specified in the plans, not for any reason other than it looked more in proportion to the fabricated tube section.
    Gerr Schmitt Grinder 02.jpg
    Rather than relying on a single bolt tightened against the table mount arm to secure it, I milled a slot and will use bolts into threaded holes in the tool arm itself. Instead of welding the feet on, I welded on plates which allowed deeper holes to be drilled and tapped without extending into the tube cavity. Separate feet assemblies can then be bolted on allowing for different mounting options in the future if required.
    Gerr Schmitt Grinder 03.jpg Gerr Schmitt Grinder 04.jpg

    This is the grinder frame.
    Gerr Schmitt Grinder 05.jpg
    Again the hinge was based on 50mm wide rather than 1.5” and a slot rather than a single threaded bolt hole for securing the tool arm.
    Gerr Schmitt Grinder 07.jpg
    Rather than welding the motor mounting plate to the frame I wanted it to be adaptable in the event the motor needs to be changed in the future. Slots were milled for the motor mounting bolts to allow adjustment of the motor position as needed.
    Gerr Schmitt Grinder 06.jpg Gerr Schmitt Grinder 08.jpg
    The feet for the base frame.
    Gerr Schmitt Grinder 09.jpg

    The tensioning/tracking wheel assembly components.
    Gerr Schmitt Grinder 11.jpg Gerr Schmitt Grinder 10.jpg
    Motor mounting plate, this is customized to fit the 2hp 3phase motor.
    Gerr Schmitt Grinder 13.jpg Gerr Schmitt Grinder 12.jpg
    Cheers,
    Greg.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    54
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    825

    Default

    Platen attachment.
    Gerr Schmitt Grinder 14.jpg
    I fabricated the wheel mounting arms on the opposite side of the mounting tube to the way it’s done in the original design. This allows more clearance between the base frame and platen frame when mounted to the grinder. This is probably not a real issue but it just seemed less cramped if I did it this way. I also did away with the brace between the arm and the mounting tube, it just didn't seem necessary.
    Gerr Schmitt Grinder 16.jpg Gerr Schmitt Grinder 15.jpg Gerr Schmitt Grinder 17.jpg
    Gerr Schmitt Grinder 18.jpg Gerr Schmitt Grinder 19.jpg
    To be continued.
    Cheers,
    Greg.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
    Age
    71
    Posts
    5,942

    Default

    Nice work, Greg. I hope he appreciates the effort you've gone to for him.
    If you don't mind my asking, what did the plans cost and are they easy to understand?
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    Hi Kryn,
    Here's a link to his plans

    2×72″ tilting belt grinder | Jer's Woodshop

    Theres a high light in green within the linked page which takes you to the purchase page for the belt grinder.

    The plans are in booklet form, with step by step instuctions.

    The booklet contains text, colour photos, computer generated diagrams and dimensioned plans with imperial measurement. He has also put thought into the accessories.

    For the work he has done AU 36 dollars odd is very reasonable. It is a download. No problem with NBN.

    There will need to be slight change in material dimensions as our heavy walled square tube varies from US stuff.

    Grahame

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Athelstone, SA 5076
    Posts
    4,255

    Default

    wish I could weld like that

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    54
    Posts
    825

    Default

    Hi Kryn,
    Just to add to Graeme's post, the plans are very well done and easy to follow. In addition to the plans for the grinder itself, there are plans for a number of attachments he has also designed for which there is no charge. There are also great YouTube videos for not only the grinder but each accessory in which he explains the reasoning behind each design.
    Jeremy appears to be a very intelligent and charismatic bloke, his grinder design is innovative and has clearly had a lot of thought go into it. The fact he offers the plans for such a low price is a credit to him, he is defiantly worthy of support.
    Cheers,
    Greg.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
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    71
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    Default

    Thanks Grahame and Greg, certainly a well thought out piece of kit,. Will have to have a closer look at making one when time permits.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    54
    Posts
    825

    Default

    Rather than using bolts for all hinge joints various, 12mm and 10mm 1045 pins were machined and secured in place with M6 countersunk cap screws and washers.
    Gerr Schmitt Grinder 20.jpg Gerr Schmitt Grinder 21.jpg

    Stub axles for the platen and tensioner wheels were machined from 1045 and secured to the grinder with M12 countersunk cap screws. All wheels were machined from scrap yard aluminium round, I'm not sure of the grade but it machined quite nicely and is pretty hard wearing. Each wheel is secured to it's stub axle by an M8 countersunk cap screw and spacer washer.
    Gerr Schmitt Grinder 22.jpg

    The platen was lined with ceramic glass to make it smoother running and harder wearing. A series of 3mm grooves were machined into the platen to provide good anchorage for the adhesive and a shelf was welded to the bottom for extra support.
    The 5mm Schott Robax ceramic glass came from All Points Glass in Thomastown, two pieces cut to size was $70.00. I looked into various high temprature adhesives and decided on JB Weld two part epoxy, this seems to be a fairly common choice for this application.
    Gerr Schmitt Grinder 23.jpg Gerr Schmitt Grinder 24.jpg

    The platen mounting shaft is solid 40mm square bar. A series of holes were drilled and tapped M12 for attaching the platen tube and for mounting it in the grinder frame. M12 countersunk cap screws were used for both of these jobs. The platen is attached using M10 countersunk cap screws
    Gerr Schmitt Grinder 25.jpg Gerr Schmitt Grinder 26.jpg
    Cheers,
    Greg.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    54
    Posts
    825

    Default

    This is the finished base grinder, the motor pully is a bit narower than I would like but this was the only piece of 130mm aluminium to turn up at the scrap yard. Plan is to buy a 75mm length when I get a chance and make a wider drive wheel but this one works fine for now.
    Gerr Schmitt Grinder 27.jpg

    The grinder with the platen attached in both vertical and horizontal orientations.
    Gerr Schmitt Grinder 29.jpg Gerr Schmitt Grinder 28.jpg
    Gerr Schmitt Grinder 30.jpg

    Tracking is adjusted via a 3D printed knob on the tensioner.
    Gerr Schmitt Grinder 31.jpg

    A close up of the attachment mounting.
    Gerr Schmitt Grinder 32.jpg

    That's about it for now, the grinder runs incredibly smooth and takes about 10 seconds to switch from vertical to horizontal mode. The boy reckons its the ducks nuts and has already ground a few knives, including the tensioner handle so I'm going to call this one a success.

    Next job is to permanently mount and wire up the VFD and then onto a table attachment and either the small wheel or contact wheel attachments.
    Cheers,
    Greg.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
    Age
    71
    Posts
    5,942

    Default

    Thanks for the report and pics on the linisher Greg.
    Will there be a jig to be able to grind both sides of the blade to create the same angle?
    He's one lucky young man, to have a dad that will make something like that.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    Kyrn,
    Theres nothing included in the drawings that is suitable for blade angle grinds.

    However they bevel jigs are easily made.
    Below are some googled examples from hundreds of choices.They are all a little bit different from one another.

    Kwijibo, nice work on the finished product. Did you use the solid square bars? Jeremy S says they are what give rigidity and smoothness

    It will seem a shame to get your new rig dirty by working with it.


    Commercial Knife angle jig.jpgBlade bevel jig.jpg

    Grahame

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    54
    Posts
    825

    Default

    G'day Kryn,
    No plans to make a bevel jig, he was taught how to grind bevels freehand (thanks Matt) and seems to get good results. I might look at making something to aid tool grinding one day though.

    Thanks Grahame, yep nearly everything is fabricated from 10x40mm or 10x50mm flat bar, the only tube used was in the feet. As Jeremy says in one of his videos, it might be overkill and lighter stock would probably work fine but mass makes for smooth running and it's not something that needs to be moved around a lot. I can balance a 20c coin on the grinder tube while grinding, yep I had to give it a try. 😁
    Cheers,
    Greg.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
    Age
    71
    Posts
    5,942

    Default

    Thanks for the pics of the bevel guides, Grahame.
    I doubt that there's too many grinders out there that would pass the 20 cent trick, as you say mass makes for smooth running.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    Gulfview Heights, Adelaide
    Posts
    83

    Default

    Greg, I think you have done a fantastic job with this. I like your use of stub axles rather than bolts and your welding looks
    a lot better than mine.

    I have a couple of general questions for you.

    1) Is it easy to find 2 x 72" belts? I am in Adelaide and I cannot find this size belt for sale locally. Most belts here are metric size in smaller lengths.

    2) With the drive wheel and tracking wheel, how did you machine the crown on the wheels to centre the belt?
    I have a manual lathe (non CNC) and I am not sure how to machine this.

    Thanks
    Paul.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    adelaide
    Posts
    91

    Default

    Paul have you tried Weber Abrasives in Welland ?

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