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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Tasmania
    Posts
    102

    Default Jeremy Schmidt 2x72 Belt Grinder

    Hi all,

    Just showing off my newly completed Jeremy Schmidt 2x72 belt grinder (metric plans). This was a really fun and satisfying project to build, and was a good challenge without being overly complex. Definitely one of the the most 'precise' things I have ever made, with all the attention paid to making sure things were dead square and true. Sometimes I spent nearly 1hr with clamps and squares getting ready to weld, but the proof is in the pudding and the belt tracks absolutely dead straight so I am glad I made the effort. The belt tracking adjustment works extremely well too, very positive and fine control. The motor is a 2kw DC treadmill motor with chinese speed controller which I already had, but in future I think I will replace it with an induction motor. It's fine for now though, just lacks a bit of grunt if you really come onto it hard you can slow the belt down. I estimate that I spent around AU$600 total but that probably includes about $200 of consumables like saw blades, welding wire, spray paint etc. Having a lathe I saved a little bit of money making the hinges and locking handles myself from scrap steel. But the rest of the grinder was made from new steel with hacksaw, files, reciprocating saw, angle grinder, drill press, and my old 1200x150 belt/disc sander combo which saved a lot of time finishing and tidying parts. I had intended to make the wheels myself on the lathe but it ended up being one of those silly things where it was cheaper to buy a set than buy the aluminium round bar in minimum lengths.

    In review, its a great machine and its absolutely SOLID, like really heavy. It took maybe 6 months of doing a bit here and there in my spare time. In future I plan to make the big and small wheel attachments and tilting table for it but first I will be making a stand for it to sit on. I can highly recommend it as a fun project and a great tool.

    The original build video by Jeremy himself:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dxCAHU_xpY

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    Cheers,
    ratters

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    Nice job, Ratters.

    Grahame

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
    Posts
    618

    Default

    We built two of them and it took about a fortnight to do both. I bought new 3 phase motors and one runs off a Powtran VFD and as I never get into costing stuff like this I have no idea of what it cost but the motors were about 250 each from memory. I was fortunate to con my B in L to do all the hard work, I just supplied the money and found all the bits. I am curious, where did you source the spring from because I could not find a suitable one anywhere.
    CHRIS

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Tasmania
    Posts
    102

    Default

    Hi Chris,

    The spring was from Bunnings, they had a heap of different sizes and from memory it was very cheap, under $10 i think. What brand of motors did you get? What speed and HP are the rated for? I do intend to replace my treadmill motor in future so I would be keen to hear how yours are working out. I drilled extra holes in the motor mount plate to accommodate the 2 most common motor foot patterns so it should be a quick swap when the time comes.

    Cheers,
    Jared

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
    Posts
    618

    Default

    I couldn't find any suitable springs at all but I have a contact in the US and he bought 2 of the same spring Jer used from McMaster Carr for me. I bought the motors from our electrical motor supplier, they are 240/415/3 phase and the speed is variable via the VFD. I run mine at 60hz which is 3450 RPM or thereabouts. I have no idea of the brand but I bet it is made in China. I started a thread on the build, I thought you may have seen it at the time though there were no build details at all.
    CHRIS

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Athelstone, SA 5076
    Posts
    4,255

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Chris Parks View Post
    I couldn't find any suitable springs at all but I have a contact in the US and he bought 2 of the same spring Jer used from McMaster Carr for me. I bought the motors from our electrical motor supplier, they are 240/415/3 phase and the speed is variable via the VFD. I run mine at 60hz which is 3450 RPM or thereabouts. I have no idea of the brand but I bet it is made in China. I started a thread on the build, I thought you may have seen it at the time though there were no build details at all.
    I just went to the local spring manufacturer...they have a scrap table....lol

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    586

    Default

    I bought the plans for a 'housemade' 2x72 grinder. Guy has a heap of videos on youtube for the build, and I've got 5 revisions of the plans over the iterations.
    Very similar design.
    I'll make it one day.

    Would be interested in trading notes / ideas if you want...

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Tasmania
    Posts
    102

    Default

    Yep I've seen the housemade revolution grinder as well, it looks equally as good. For whatever reason the Jeremy Schmidt design won me over so I went that way but I don't think you can go wrong the revolution it looks great. I'd be more than happy to give any tips or advice to somebody building one. I'm only a DIY backyard kinda guy skills wise, no formal training in anything except years ago at high school but these projects are well suited to novices and amateurs and you don't need anything except reasonably basic tooling.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
    Posts
    618

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by eskimo View Post
    I just went to the local spring manufacturer...they have a scrap table....lol
    Our local spring maker closed the doors years ago.
    CHRIS

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