Antique Grinding Mandrel Build

[pfredX1]

God only knows how old this piece is. It has babbetted bearings though. They stopped using them things shortly after the Civil War I think? Originally there was a flat pulley sheeve on the shaft. This being the 21st century I decided to change that out for a V belt pulley. Now initially I knocked a frame together out of some scrap wood for this piece. But that ended up taking up too much room in my workshop. So I redid it in metal, specifically to fit this spot. As compactly as I could possibly make it.

Because space is an issue in my workshop anymore. Then I welded a lot of it together because I need practice stick welding. Plus I don't think it is too bad a process for this sort of thing. The bits of scrap steel I used I'm never going to want for anything else. It was all real garbage. Stuff was either bent, or so rust pitted, it wasn't good for much.

Anyhow, I'll put up some build pictures, then pictures of the finished build. I ripped off the Tormek F style tool rest design for this project. I ain't got no $1,000+ for one of their grinders. Even if I did I'd have to be drunk to spend that kind of money on a grinder.

[DIYer]

Thanks pfredX1! We've added your Grinder Mandrel Rebuild to our Grinding category,
as well as to your builder page: pfredX1's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Grinder Mandrel Rebuild by pfredX1

tags: grinder, mandrel

[DIYer]

Thanks pfredX1! We've added your Grinder to our Grinding category,
as well as to your builder page: pfredX1's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Grinder by pfredX1

tags: grinder, tool rest

[PJs]

Interesting build and save of the old pedestal grinder pfredX1. Laughed out loud on the Civil war comment but babbett has been around since 1839 and used regularly up until the mid 50' for all kinds of things, including automotive crank/rod bearings. I also think it is still used today for certain applications because it has some unique properties and an ASTM number associated. I remember my Dad hand scrapping them on his stock cars in the early 50's.

It's also interesting that your old flat belt grinder (driven from overhead) was probably from the 20's and the bearings are still working. Babbett has an interesting hard crystalline grain to it that allows lube to travel the length and has a certain lubricity to it as well because of the tin/lead/CU content. Probably way too much information but wanted to point out that is was a mainstay for ~150 years.

Like that you built a Tormek type rest for your setup, they are pricey for sure...now for the other add on's they make?

Thanks for sharing your build. ~PJ