I just hit this site http://www.micro-machine-shop.com/bench_grinder.htm It's almost "grinder porn" in the way it's laid out. There's a lot of useful information, some good modifications to use on existing grinders, and a few warnings. Interestingly enough, I hit the site because I was trying to determine how to mount my drill to use as a buffer/grinder. I think I'll have to sit down and design it out, including a locking lever for the power switch, and a floor cut-off switch. It's either that, or get a bench grinder, and modify it to take a drill chuck so that I can swap out wheels. For those who are not technically (blue collar technically) minded, if you're polishing metal, you don't want to mix your buffing wheels. If you've used black (ebony) buffing compound on a wheel, you can't clean it enough to then later use white or blue polishing compound. So, you get a wheel for white, a wheel for black, a wheel for green, a wheel for tripoli (brown), and a wheel for blue. With a bench grinder, that's a PAIN in the tuchus to change every few minutes as you work over a small piece of metal. Big shops will have a row of the buffer/grinders, so that you simply move from one station to the next as you work along. Home shops rarely can afford the space for more than two - a buffer, and a grinder. Dremel tools are wonderful, but they're really not designed for working on large amounts of surface. Bench units are better for that, especially if you are wanting to finish in a reasonable amount of time. Anyone know where to find a locking stand for a hand drill?
Youtube video about making a drill grinder. Pretty simple and straightforward, but there are a couple of times I winced because of the "I have a hammer, that must be a nail" mentality. The guy also built a hand drill lathe. Personally, I'd advise that if you want to do this one, you lay the drill _flat_ so you can reach the speed adjustment on top (if it has one). Also, put in a foot step switch (emergency cut-off).
For foot switches, there are two kinds. https://www.harborfreight.com/power-maintained-foot-switch-96618.html That's a power on/off switch. One step to on, one step to off. https://www.harborfreight.com/momentary-power-foot-switch-96619.html That's a momentary switch, like you use for a sewing machine. Press and hold to run, but when you lift your foot, it goes out. That's the better kind for a home-made power tool.
The proverbial Dead Man's Switch. What about a variable speed type? Would a sewing machine pedal donate it's controller? Rheostat or potentiometer... I'm very uninformed when it comes to modifying electronics.
The variable type isn't a good idea for cheaper electric motors. Brushless motors especially. Frankly, if you're using it for a buffer/grinder, once you've set the speed, that's what you want it to be. You don't want the speed to vary.
I'm thinking drill motor lathe. I think I have a couple old workhorse single speed drill motors. Having no experience using the machine I don't know what RPM is suitable for the job. I do appreciate the video you posted. It brought me right to the tutorial for build the machine I've been considering.
Hmmm, I have an older bench grinder, with duel grinding wheels. I guess I can replace, or switch out the stones for buffers, or other things to help her razor resort a tions along.
Yup - just be sure of the speeds. Also, you'll need one buffer wheel _per grit/colour_ of rouge/paste. You don't want to use the Ebony (metal removing, steel polishing) wheel, and then try to use that same wheel for fine polishing of brass with red rouge. One guy reworked the arbors on his bench grinder to add a drill chuck on one side to make swapping wheels easier. It also seems like the drill wheels are cheaper than the grinder wheels, for some reason.
Weird - I thought I'd posted up a reply to this. Use a set of stepped pulley wheels. That lets you adjust speeds without doing anything fancy to the motor or spindle. It's how older lathes and mills were constructed. (and some sewing machines)
I can already picture the setup. Rather than a drill motor I'm thinking a larger motor with low RPM & high torque. Then I can scavenge from a couple small lawn tractors for pulleys, tension springs, levers, etc. It may end up an odd Frankenstein, but I might be able to turn metal & wood.
Or hit harbor freight. I have the 4' lathe, and it worked very well for my needs. I still own it, but it's not at my house; not enough room.
That's a handsome machine. I'm afraid if it spent much time here in my bit of the South Coast all that shiny steel would be rusted stuck. No SWMBO to tell me otherwise, once I got it functional I'd keep it in my living room!
That's the original line. My grandfather had one of those. My father's is a later model, where the motor area isn't exposed.
I had one of those (original line) when I was in high school. Not sure what happened to it, but I wish I still had it.
