On finer grit belts, I'll grind calluses off. I've been bit by all sorts of belts, except the 36 thankfully! But, on a recent cold night in the shop I got bit by a 60g, it hurt a little, more like a very mild friction burn than anything else. Certainly was no cause for alarm or to fashion some kind of guard. When ya work in a metal shop, things happen. But I'm always wearing safety glasses :)
Agree with you about guards . I prefer top grinding so I can see it better so I usually turn the grinder around so I'm working from the back of the grinder. Then it is turning the right way to use the top of the wheel safely.
Glad to see that there still is some common sense left in this world ! 😊 I get really tired of so many people giving advice, on stuff that most have never even been around ! I tell them if you don't like what you see, then don't come in MY shop ! Very good setup you have there sir, lot of time and effort involved ! 👌 Thanks for sharing and take care. 👍
Great video! And I absolutely agree with you that situational awareness is always essential, no matter what you are doing. There is risk in every occupation. Be aware of your surroundings! Be aware of what you're doing! Thanks John.
Fantastic walkthrough of your grinders. Excellent narration. very informative, wonderful comparison of the virtues and vices of each machine, Top job, bloody well done, mate. Cheers from Michael. Australia.
I just stumbled on this after extensive belt grinder idea research and let me just tell you I can't wait to binge all of your videos my friend!! So informative, and thanks to you Im snapping up a 200$ dental lathe that's been on craigslist for a while in my area, I had NO IDEA what, or how TOTALLY AWESOME it truly was!! Thank you 😊!!!!
Thanks allot for the info on the grinders. My only grinders at home are a cheap old tiny bench grinder and an angle grinder. The shop at work has well, allot more diversity. But I'm not comfortable taking my home projects to work often. Except to show them around. It certainly will help me decide what kind of grinder will best fit in my shop. And oh, the safety thing. You're one of the safest minded Smith's I watch. So don't mind people saying how unsafe being safe is. Have a great day.
This video came up as i was looking at belt grinders thanks, what im working with is just a 1x30 grinder for now at least. I would love to make my own.
Hey there John, always a pleasure to hear your perspectives. A few years ago, I learned about the hard scotch brite wheels, and they're awesome. I noticed some questions about keeping the belt cool. One of the cooler (if you'll pardon the pun) ideas I've seen is to use a machinists cool mist setup. It's basically an airbrush which blows a mist of water/coolant mix onto your work. You can get cheap ones for $16 on Amazon. I have two (one each for the lathe & mill), and have been satisfied. I recommend putting a valve in the compressed air feed so it's easy to turn it on and off. The fittings and valve actually cost more than the mister if you buy them at the local hardware store. When I complete my 2x72, it will incorporate a mister.
I think your videos rock, good stuff. I want to build up a shop. and can see it takes time and money to get there, you have a lot of stuff that any shop would be envious of, great video...
Really , Really enjoyed seeing this video on your grinders and explanation on each. Also the resource list, was a very nice addition. As far as these Osha self appointed , well they are on ever channel and makes me think many are just trolling ? I guess it makes them feel important ?? Like the scariest words you never want to hear, " I'm from the government and here to help you " ! Your such a gift to use newbies, by explaining things so well and interesting .
I absolutely agree with the gloves around rotating equipment. Don't wear them. Especially on a drillpress, especially a gear driven one. And also unless you put side load on a grinding wheel it's fine. They will blow up if they are going to when they are new. Always do a ring test on a new stone when installing, if it rings it's good, if it thuds it's no good.
I used a tube of silicone caulking that had dry out/ harden as a eraser for a belt grinder, it worked well. My co-workers had never heard of the rubber belt cleaner. I agree with Alien Wired, I could listen to you ramble all day. The safety cops can go over broad, when one caught me drilling without gloves & ask why, I replied "Because OSHA said no gloves on drills,mills & lathes). This person looked shocked & did not believe me, I told her to call them, they would tell her( this was before Google was around).
Thank you very much for a very thorough walk trough your grinding equipment! It is enlightening video :) As I am planning on designing my belt grinder, I am in a search for practical information, and this is it! And regarding situational awareness and common sense, as you said, you have to be informed and take care. Thank you!
Great video John. I do think the belt grinder is a safer option for grinding. I've known one person who died from an exploding grinding wheel. Most likely misused by another person in an industrial situation. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
Thanks for showing us around your shop John. I too enjoy seeing how other guys do what they do. I got a good chuckle when you made the comment about the " Safety Police". These people are easy enough to deal with when they are self-appointed but when they get a government job can easily become a nightmare. Great video as usual.
I actually see a place for the government safety guys in industry. Its one thing for me to make an informed choice regarding my own safety. But its different when employers put their employees at risk trying to save a buck.
Good idea for a cheap variable speed motor is an old tredmill motor. I purchased a buch of equipment from a guy and part of that was 2 x 72 grinder he had made with a tredmill motor. Not sure how long the motor will last because it is not sealed, but they are easy enough to come by and they are very adjustable.
I have three pairs of good welding gloves, padded for heat, long gauntlet and steer hide. Buffing, wire wheel or grinding on hard wheel it makes no difference to me, I wear these and no guards either. I don't own a forge but enjoy the experience of learning. I just a retired auto tech who wishes to have a bigger garage! Right folks. We want a big oversized garage, lift and a small house attached of near by. As the family grew, we needed a bigger house & got that call at work from the wife to look at the home she & the realtor was at. I took lunch, walked in the front door and saw my wife dancing down the upper main floor open hall, saying this is it. I told her to tell the agent, I went back to work. Ended up with the smallest garage I have ever seen. Then tools come home. I got room for a small bicycle and two flies. Damit.
Great shop grinder tour. The reason the small wheels need to be run slower is not so much due to the size of the bearings its the fact that for the same belt speed the smaller diameter wheels are spinning at a hugely higher RPM.
You are right about the buffer. It is the scariest tool I own, and mine is a factory enclosed machine. I have almost always been in business for myself. Do you keep a regular schedule and work on certain days only. It takes discipline. Great video! Jerry
I’ve actually been thinking about making a knife for myself. Something like a good decent sized bushcraft/camp knife. I’ve looked at Damascus blanks on Amazon, some good, some bad, and then started thinking about using a file instead. I’m a journeyman diesel mechanic so I have files. But no real way to grind anything. So I decided to check out Amazon and the web for belt sanders. Ha ! Ummm 🤔, NO. Sticker shock ? LOL ! More like heart attack shock. The prices are crazy
Thank you for this very informative presentation. Can you please comment on what system you have for partially used belts? Do you always leave a belt on until it is totally shot and then throw it away or do you sometimes replace belts that still have life, or choose a partially worn belt to put back on for a particular job, and if so how do you keep track of what belts are in what states? I have used belts hanging/laying all over the place and have no idea what to do with them but it seems wasteful to just chuck them all.... Thank you.
I just finished (well....) my own (if you are interested, there is a short video in my channel covering the design and first steps. I'll do a walkaround video shortly). It is for a 2" belt, anywhere from 70"-78". It's a slow speed - about 1400ft/min which is good for grinding metal without getting it hot too fast. I am working on a hinge to flip it over horizontally. The motor is about 1kW or 1.35hp. It has two laser cut parts, which is expensive. All told the parts cost me about €200-250. Planning, designing and actually building the thing did take a couple of hours - possibly two digits worth. One looses count when sparks fly ;-)
I actually have one of those dental grinders, RED WING brand, they are very pricey new. I have never actually used it, I got it for like $30 used. I think it has a normal drill chuck on one end, not sure it might have nothing installed on the other end. That clutch thing is cool indeed. Will have to look at it again, and I think yes they have 2 speeds. ( I looked online and that quick chuck is VERY expensive, thats like a $1000 grinder and chuck you got there new)
I looked at mine today it has only the one chuck on the one side but its not the quick change clutch type like yours its just the one you tighten by hand.
Great videos as always. And I'm learning to hate you the more you show your tools.just sheer jealousy nothing personal I still love ya. Lol 🔨on!! Please keep showing your tools I'm just joking you know me and swage blocks. Hehe
I do think about that at times. I certainly never want to make people think they need all of the stuff I have collected over the years or that I am trying to rub anyone's nose in the fact that I have some cool tools. But I know I like seeing the cool stuff in other peoples shop even if I will never own the same tools, so I hope most people share your attitude and enjoy seeing some of the options.
I never wear gloves on the 72" grinder and will invariably take the licks, cuts, scrapes and buffs that come with it. The wire wheel on the other hand riggers gloves, leather gloves, I got sick of the wire wheel rubbing me raw. I always wear rigger gloves on the wire wheel. The wire wheel won't grab leather gloves and just scates off them.
I have power (but at one point it was just the generator) The battery lights are the video lights. Moving cords around the shop every time I move the lights is a real pain, So I like the battery power for those.
We use to use a grease on a glass belt sander when polishing the edges of glass tops. Turned the water off to the belt first, of coarse. This was back in the early 1960's. Don't know how old the machine was, it was in a Paint and wallpaper store and we did windows and screens also.
But in this twenti first century what blacksmithing amounts too. I know welders, machinists ,polishers, grinders are all different trades . They are sons of blacksmith but they will not believe. Mechanical engineer too. God knows mit was born in gunsmiths backyard.
i have been doing this for about 10 years knives forging dragons roses and other stuff i run my grinder the other way so it throw things away from me why do you not
Since most grinding is done on the front of the wheel rotating toward you throws sparks and anything that get loose to the ground. Otherwise it is more likely to be thrown into your face. I have never seen a commercially made grinder rotating upwards. I assume you must grind on the top of the wheel in most cases.
Black Bear Forge Yes I do. I find I see things better and it throws things away from me instead of towards me. I had a polishing wheel throw a knife across the yard once. If it had been the other way it would have thrown it at me. I was just curious.
I'm 12 and I've been using guns for most of my life and when I went to the hunter safety then gave me a bolt-action just like mine to do the demonstration and they said I was too comfortable and I was very confused I wasn't doing anything unsafe but I was just too comfortable I just don't get it
If you are worried about hurting yourself on a grinder maybe you shouldn't buy one, make one, or even be around one. I've scraped my finger using hand sandpaper; you just have to be careful with moving equipment and watch yourself. If you can't keep yourself safe with equipment don't own any.
Very helpful and informative
Great videos love too watch.
That's pure and generous decent information will be obliged to you SIR GEE
Awesome video. Very enlightening.
Thank you
Best belt grinder vid I have watched and great advice about health and safety.
What a great teacher!
I wish I found this channel earlier.
Thank you
Great video. Nice grinders. Excellent setup. Thank you for sharing.
On finer grit belts, I'll grind calluses off. I've been bit by all sorts of belts, except the 36 thankfully! But, on a recent cold night in the shop I got bit by a 60g, it hurt a little, more like a very mild friction burn than anything else. Certainly was no cause for alarm or to fashion some kind of guard. When ya work in a metal shop, things happen. But I'm always wearing safety glasses :)
Agree with you about guards .
I prefer top grinding so I can see it better so I usually turn the grinder around so I'm working from the back of the grinder. Then it is turning the right way to use the top of the wheel safely.
Good and usefull video.... like everytime ...thanks master
Thanx for the wonderful tutorial
VFD is the way to go. Super versatile.
Glad to see that there still is some common sense left in this world ! 😊
I get really tired of so many people giving advice, on stuff that most have never even been around !
I tell them if you don't like what you see, then don't come in MY shop !
Very good setup you have there sir, lot of time and effort involved ! 👌
Thanks for sharing and take care. 👍
Very nice to share these things with us
Great video! And I absolutely agree with you that situational awareness is always essential, no matter what you are doing. There is risk in every occupation. Be aware of your surroundings! Be aware of what you're doing! Thanks John.
Lot of good information, I learned a lot. Thanks John!
Fantastic walkthrough of your grinders. Excellent narration. very informative, wonderful comparison of the virtues and vices of each machine, Top job, bloody well done, mate. Cheers from Michael. Australia.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I just stumbled on this after extensive belt grinder idea research and let me just tell you I can't wait to binge all of your videos my friend!! So informative, and thanks to you Im snapping up a 200$ dental lathe that's been on craigslist for a while in my area, I had NO IDEA what, or how TOTALLY AWESOME it truly was!! Thank you 😊!!!!
I'm glad the information helped out
I never knew there were so many different attachments to those grinders. Very interesting. Good video.
Thanks allot for the info on the grinders. My only grinders at home are a cheap old tiny bench grinder and an angle grinder. The shop at work has well, allot more diversity. But I'm not comfortable taking my home projects to work often. Except to show them around. It certainly will help me decide what kind of grinder will best fit in my shop. And oh, the safety thing. You're one of the safest minded Smith's I watch. So don't mind people saying how unsafe being safe is. Have a great day.
Great video, glad I found it. Take Care
Thanks for watching!
Excellent video. Very helpful and full of very useful information. Thanks.
Always wondered about the big grinder
I'm barely started on making a shop but I will get out to it, safely, the moment I do.
This video came up as i was looking at belt grinders thanks, what im working with is just a 1x30 grinder for now at least. I would love to make my own.
Great video of an amazing grinder "ed" shop !! Thanks
Thank you Sir. I've learned a lot.
Your the real deal my brother
Hey there John, always a pleasure to hear your perspectives.
A few years ago, I learned about the hard scotch brite wheels, and they're awesome.
I noticed some questions about keeping the belt cool. One of the cooler (if you'll pardon the pun) ideas I've seen is to use a machinists cool mist setup. It's basically an airbrush which blows a mist of water/coolant mix onto your work. You can get cheap ones for $16 on Amazon. I have two (one each for the lathe & mill), and have been satisfied.
I recommend putting a valve in the compressed air feed so it's easy to turn it on and off. The fittings and valve actually cost more than the mister if you buy them at the local hardware store.
When I complete my 2x72, it will incorporate a mister.
I think your videos rock, good stuff.
I want to build up a shop. and can see it takes time and money to get there, you have a lot of stuff that any shop would be envious of, great video...
Really , Really enjoyed seeing this video on your grinders and explanation on each. Also the resource list, was a very nice addition.
As far as these Osha self appointed , well they are on ever channel and makes me think many are just trolling ? I guess it makes them feel important ??
Like the scariest words you never want to hear, " I'm from the government and here to help you " !
Your such a gift to use newbies, by explaining things so well and interesting .
I absolutely agree with the gloves around rotating equipment. Don't wear them. Especially on a drillpress, especially a gear driven one. And also unless you put side load on a grinding wheel it's fine. They will blow up if they are going to when they are new. Always do a ring test on a new stone when installing, if it rings it's good, if it thuds it's no good.
I used a tube of silicone caulking that had dry out/ harden as a eraser for a belt grinder, it worked well.
My co-workers had never heard of the rubber belt cleaner. I agree with Alien Wired, I could listen to you ramble all day.
The safety cops can go over broad, when one caught me drilling without gloves & ask why, I replied "Because OSHA said no gloves on drills,mills & lathes).
This person looked shocked & did not believe me, I told her to call them, they would tell her( this was before Google was around).
Thank you very much for a very thorough walk trough your grinding equipment! It is enlightening video :) As I am planning on designing my belt grinder, I am in a search for practical information, and this is it! And regarding situational awareness and common sense, as you said, you have to be informed and take care.
Thank you!
You're very welcome!
Great video John. I do think the belt grinder is a safer option for grinding. I've known one person who died from an exploding grinding wheel. Most likely misused by another person in an industrial situation. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
Great selection!
Thanks John! Blessings to all.
Thanks for showing us around your shop John. I too enjoy seeing how other guys do what they do. I got a good chuckle when you made the comment about the " Safety Police". These people are easy enough to deal with when they are self-appointed but when they get a government job can easily become a nightmare. Great video as usual.
I actually see a place for the government safety guys in industry. Its one thing for me to make an informed choice regarding my own safety. But its different when employers put their employees at risk trying to save a buck.
No argument most government regulations but I have seen completely ridiculous requirements being made also simply to assert authority.
Good idea for a cheap variable speed motor is an old tredmill motor. I purchased a buch of equipment from a guy and part of that was 2 x 72 grinder he had made with a tredmill motor. Not sure how long the motor will last because it is not sealed, but they are easy enough to come by and they are very adjustable.
Good idea
I have three pairs of good welding gloves, padded for heat, long gauntlet and steer hide. Buffing, wire wheel or grinding on hard wheel it makes no difference to me, I wear these and no guards either. I don't own a forge but enjoy the experience of learning. I just a retired auto tech who wishes to have a bigger garage! Right folks. We want a big oversized garage, lift and a small house attached of near by. As the family grew, we needed a bigger house & got that call at work from the wife to look at the home she & the realtor was at. I took lunch, walked in the front door and saw my wife dancing down the upper main floor open hall, saying this is it. I told her to tell the agent, I went back to work. Ended up with the smallest garage I have ever seen. Then tools come home. I got room for a small bicycle and two flies. Damit.
Thanks, for this video. Also perfect timing I'm looking to buy one. But in the Netherlands they are hard too come by.
Great shop grinder tour. The reason the small wheels need to be run slower is not so much due to the size of the bearings its the fact that for the same belt speed the smaller diameter wheels are spinning at a hugely higher RPM.
You are right about the buffer. It is the scariest tool I own, and mine is a factory enclosed machine. I have almost always been in business for myself. Do you keep a regular schedule and work on certain days only. It takes discipline. Great video! Jerry
I pretty much work every day I can. If there isn't something else that must be done I am in the shop. That includes most weekends and holidays.
u the man
Could you do a video on your portaband stand you made. That looks extremely handy. Thanks for the great informative videos.
I have a video on that here ruclips.net/video/V1ONLDMKUTc/видео.html
Black Bear Forge thank you!
I’ve actually been thinking about making a knife for myself. Something like a good decent sized bushcraft/camp knife.
I’ve looked at Damascus blanks on Amazon, some good, some bad, and then started thinking about using a file instead.
I’m a journeyman diesel mechanic so I have files.
But no real way to grind anything.
So I decided to check out Amazon and the web for belt sanders.
Ha !
Ummm 🤔, NO.
Sticker shock ? LOL !
More like heart attack shock. The prices are crazy
Hi John
Dudes got some forearms hfs
Thank you for this very informative presentation. Can you please comment on what system you have for partially used belts? Do you always leave a belt on until it is totally shot and then throw it away or do you sometimes replace belts that still have life, or choose a partially worn belt to put back on for a particular job, and if so how do you keep track of what belts are in what states? I have used belts hanging/laying all over the place and have no idea what to do with them but it seems wasteful to just chuck them all.... Thank you.
I just finished (well....) my own (if you are interested, there is a short video in my channel covering the design and first steps. I'll do a walkaround video shortly). It is for a 2" belt, anywhere from 70"-78". It's a slow speed - about 1400ft/min which is good for grinding metal without getting it hot too fast. I am working on a hinge to flip it over horizontally. The motor is about 1kW or 1.35hp. It has two laser cut parts, which is expensive. All told the parts cost me about €200-250. Planning, designing and actually building the thing did take a couple of hours - possibly two digits worth. One looses count when sparks fly ;-)
I'll go take a look
your not wrong about sticker shock - anything with a VFD, add 1500 bucks to the base price!
You know it’s time to quit when you can hear the crickets 🦗😀
Or when one hears the Whip-poor-will ----- head to the house.
I actually have one of those dental grinders, RED WING brand, they are very pricey new. I have never actually used it, I got it for like $30 used. I think it has a normal drill chuck on one end, not sure it might have nothing installed on the other end. That clutch thing is cool indeed. Will have to look at it again, and I think yes they have 2 speeds.
( I looked online and that quick chuck is VERY expensive, thats like a $1000 grinder and chuck you got there new)
I was able to get this one used for much less
I looked at mine today it has only the one chuck on the one side but its not the quick change clutch type like yours its just the one you tighten by hand.
Do you know why the normal style manual chuck they say to use it on the RIGHT SIDE only ?
It is because the threads are backwards on the left side so that whatever is on that side doesn't unscrew itself while the grinder is running.
You can use a very speed if you haven't tried it might be worth it
Great videos as always. And I'm learning to hate you the more you show your tools.just sheer jealousy nothing personal I still love ya. Lol 🔨on!! Please keep showing your tools I'm just joking you know me and swage blocks. Hehe
I do think about that at times. I certainly never want to make people think they need all of the stuff I have collected over the years or that I am trying to rub anyone's nose in the fact that I have some cool tools. But I know I like seeing the cool stuff in other peoples shop even if I will never own the same tools, so I hope most people share your attitude and enjoy seeing some of the options.
Absolutely I enjoy seeing it cuz maybe we can replicate some of it that we've never seen before.I was just poking you with a stick. Lol
Does the case of the second belt grinder helps with the dust? I wonder if I should get a separate room for grinding, or maybe just a curtain
I never wear gloves on the 72" grinder and will invariably take the licks, cuts, scrapes and buffs that come with it. The wire wheel on the other hand riggers gloves, leather gloves, I got sick of the wire wheel rubbing me raw. I always wear rigger gloves on the wire wheel. The wire wheel won't grab leather gloves and just scates off them.
hmm talk about a daily grind, well nose to the grindstone >___< hehh
Great video, thank you! I just finished building my own 2x72 with a 2hp motor and VFD. Where is a good source for the small contact wheels?
There are a few out there depending one how the wheels mount. I get most of mine from Beaumont Metal Works
Nice to see all the grinders. While you don't seem to have much interest in knives now, did you go thru a knifemaker phase?
Yes I did, although only the Square Wheel is from that time.
how many kw is your motor and how many revolutions per minute
John is your shop powered by a generator? I ask as you have mentioned that your lights are battery powered.......cheers........🤠🇦🇺
I have power (but at one point it was just the generator) The battery lights are the video lights. Moving cords around the shop every time I move the lights is a real pain, So I like the battery power for those.
Don't you love those RUclips police !
I wonder am i in over my head? I know you have more years on me just should i keep this as a hobby?
Just don't be in to big of a hurry and you will evolve over time. There are lots of folks r=enjoying blacksmithing at all different levels.
this may be a dumb question but why do the belts need to be so long?
More overall surface area means the belts will run longer between changes plus they run cooler which also helps them last longer
@@BlackBearForge thank you
Switch
The only serious injury I have had in the shop was due to a safety guard so I take them off.
Have you ever tried any of the belt grease sir?
Yes, it does help the belts run cooler, but that isn't much of an issue for most of my grinding, so I don't use it often
We use to use a grease on a glass belt sander when polishing the edges of glass tops. Turned the water off to the belt first, of coarse. This was back in the early 1960's. Don't know how old the machine was, it was in a Paint and wallpaper store and we did windows and screens also.
But in this twenti first century what blacksmithing amounts too. I know welders, machinists ,polishers, grinders are all different trades . They are sons of blacksmith but they will not believe. Mechanical engineer too. God knows mit was born in gunsmiths backyard.
i have been doing this for about 10 years knives forging dragons roses and other stuff i run my grinder the other way so it throw things away from me why do you not
Since most grinding is done on the front of the wheel rotating toward you throws sparks and anything that get loose to the ground. Otherwise it is more likely to be thrown into your face. I have never seen a commercially made grinder rotating upwards. I assume you must grind on the top of the wheel in most cases.
Black Bear Forge Yes I do. I find I see things better and it throws things away from me instead of towards me. I had a polishing wheel throw a knife across the yard once. If it had been the other way it would have thrown it at me. I was just curious.
Anyone who feels the need for guards on grinders such as yours perhaps shouldn't be allowed to go near them.
I can’t stand how many guards commercial grinders have. They make everything more difficult
I'm 12 and I've been using guns for most of my life and when I went to the hunter safety then gave me a bolt-action just like mine to do the demonstration and they said I was too comfortable and I was very confused I wasn't doing anything unsafe but I was just too comfortable I just don't get it
If you are worried about hurting yourself on a grinder maybe you shouldn't buy one, make one, or even be around one. I've scraped my finger using hand sandpaper; you just have to be careful with moving equipment and watch yourself. If you can't keep yourself safe with equipment don't own any.